by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 762 U.S. colleges awarded 46,331 degrees and certificates in Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 37% of graduates. College Factual ranks 582 schools in its 2027 Best Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $37,805 one year after completing, rising to $54,355 after four years.
A major in Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician involves the study of Automobile/automotive Mechanics Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills To Repair, Service, And Maintain All Types Of Automobiles. Includes Instruction In Brake Systems, Electrical Systems, Engine Performance, Engine Repair, Suspension And Steering, Automatic And Manual Transmissions And Drive Trains, And Heating And Air Condition Systems. Examples: [Automotive Service Technician], [Motor Vehicle Mechanic].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician is a widely-pursued major, with 46,331 degrees awarded annually. 762 colleges award automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degrees, an average of 61 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 1,711.
By level, the 46,331 awards include 14,348 certificates, 11,065 associate degrees, 28 bachelor’s degrees and 16,988 master’s degrees.
Women earned 9% of automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degrees and certificates in the latest year (4,095 of 46,331). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (18,202) and Hispanic or Latino (17,480), and international students earned 222.
College Factual ranks 582 schools in its 2027 Best Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools ranking, including 212 for associate degrees and 2 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician schools within 40 states. In all, 762 colleges offer automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician credential is the master’s degree: 16,988 of the 46,331 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician call most for Critical Thinking, Repairing and Operations Monitoring, and for knowledge of Mechanical, Computers and Electronics and Engineering and Technology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Near Vision, Arm-Hand Steadiness and Problem Sensitivity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 14,348 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 11,065 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 28 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 16,988 |
Postsecondary certificate is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician, at 48.4%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate | 48.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 37.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 5.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.5% |
| Some college courses | 2.1% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.7% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician, with an average median salary of $55,185; the strongest outlook belongs to Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment, at 14.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Wirer, Mobile Electronics Installer, Body Wirer and Diagnostic Troubleshooter.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician, at 238,330.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment | 238,330 | 14.0% |
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | 168,346 | 6.9% |
| Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles | 161,124 | -1.9% |
Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician graduates earn a median $37,805 one year after completing their program, $54,355 after four years and $49,650 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,805 |
| 4 years | $54,355 |
| 5 years | $49,650 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician, with a median salary of $63,098.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment | $63,098 |
| Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles | $61,541 |
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | $40,917 |
Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician has 17 similar majors in the Mechanic & Repair Technologies field, which together award 35,293 degrees a year; the largest are Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician (10,172), Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician (9,434) and Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician (5,353). Browse all Mechanic & Repair Technologies majors or the full list of college majors.
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