by our College Data Analytics TeamThe field of mechanic and repair technologies\technicians can encompass several careers besides just auto mechanic. For example, while auto mechanics focus on the physical, mechanical side of automotive repair and maintenance, automotive technicians tend to focus on the technical aspects of the items they are maintaining. For example, they may be responsible for troubleshooting and repairing an automotive computer system.
Similar to auto mechanics, auto technicians will require a high school diploma and most likely a certification from ASE (National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence). ASE certificates are broken into multiple series from automobile and light truck to heavy trucks, collision and alternative fuels.
Note that some automotive shops will only hire candidates with their ASE certifications in hand, while others may pay for you to attend and obtain your certificate. Auto shops run by the main manufacturers will certainly require ASE certification and may go a step further and require you to have an associate degree, especially if you wish to advance further than the shop technician position.
Mechanic & Repair Tech (Other) was the 235th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 1,267 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 156 over the prior year, a growth of 12.3%.
This year's Best Mechanic & Repair Tech (Other) Schools ranking compares 13 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of mechanic tech programs later in this article.
Technicians need to have a high school diploma and as mentioned above, will also need to pursue additional training and education to advance further in their career.
As with certified mechanics, technicians need to have a good technical aptitude in order to troubleshoot issues and to pinpoint possible areas that need repair or maintenance. Issues may not always have a visible sign so technicians need to be able to troubleshoot issues like this. They must also have good attention to detail and dexterity as they may be working in small confined spaces.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. In addition to these basic mechanic and repair tech (other) program qualifications, to serve in some mechanic tech careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are various different levels of mechanic tech degrees. Mechanic & Repair Tech (Other) programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest mechanic tech degree you can get. How long it takes to complete some common mechanic tech degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
Recently graduated mechanic and repair tech (other) students earned an average of $38,129 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $29,999 to as high as $50,004. As you might expect, salaries for mechanic tech graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Mechanic & Repair Tech (Other) is one of 7 different types of Mechanic & Repair Technologies programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Maintenance & Repair | 56,539 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration | 19,594 |
| Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance | 8,717 |
| Electronics Maintenance & Repair | 7,770 |
| Precision Systems Maintenance | 1,932 |
