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Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology

Types of Degrees Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology Majors Are Earning

People majoring in Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology may pursue degrees at several award levels.

Award Level	Graduates
Certificate	32
Associate’s Degree	61
Master’s Degree	317

What Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology Majors Need to Know

Coursework for Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology build a specific mix of knowledge, skills, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in occupations that Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology graduates commonly enter.

Knowledge Areas

This major prepares you for careers needing Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology emphasizes the following knowledge areas:

• Mechanical — Importance 4.8 / 5; level 6.3 / 7.
• Customer and Personal Service — Importance 3.3 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.
• Computers and Electronics — Importance 3.3 / 5; level 3.6 / 7.
• Engineering and Technology — Importance 3.0 / 5; level 3.0 / 7.
• English Language — Importance 2.9 / 5; level 2.8 / 7.

^{Importance is rated 1–5; level is 1–7. Source: ONET Online — weighted across related occupations.*}

Skills

The skill set developed in a Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:

• Repairing — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
• Troubleshooting — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
• Operations Monitoring — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.2 / 7.
• Critical Thinking — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.
• Equipment Maintenance — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.

Abilities

The cognitive and physical abilities most relevant to Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology careers — again drawn from O*NET surveys of related occupations:

• Deductive Reasoning — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
• Manual Dexterity — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.
• Near Vision — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.4 / 7.
• Finger Dexterity — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.
• Problem Sensitivity — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.

Common Job Activities

Day-to-day, Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology graduates report doing:

Activity	Frequency / Importance
Getting Information	4.6 / 7
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment	4.5 / 7
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	4.2 / 7
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment	4.2 / 7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	4.1 / 7
Handling and Moving Objects	4 / 7
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	4.0 / 7
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials	4.0 / 7
Working with Computers	3.6 / 7
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment	3.6 / 7

Technology Skills Used on the Job

Most frequently-cited tools used by Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology professionals:

Tool / Software	Category	In-Demand
Nexiq Tech HDS Suite for Palm	Analytical or scientific software	—
AutoZone ALLDATA	Data base user interface and query software	—
Mozilla Firefox	Internet browser software	—
Mitchell Manager Invoicing System	Billing and invoicing software	—
Blue Streak Electronics Buell Diagnostic	Analytical or scientific software	—
Mitchell OnDemand5 Manager	Facilities management software	—
Work order management software	Data base user interface and query software	—
Database software	Data base user interface and query software	—
Hunter WinAlign	Analytical or scientific software	—
CODA Engine Analysis System	Analytical or scientific software	—
Scheduling software	Calendar and scheduling software	—
YouTube	Video creation and editing software	—

^{Source: ONET Online technology skills, weighted across related occupations.*}

Sample Job Titles

Real job postings for Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology graduates include:

• Alternative Fuel Vehicle Maintenance Technician (AFV Maintenance Tech)
• AC Mechanic (Air Conditioning Mechanic)
• Auto Services Break Repairer (Automotive Services Brake Repairer)
• Automotive Drivability Technician (Auto Drivability Tech)
• Speedometer Mechanic
• Auto Wheel Alignment Specialist (Automotive Wheel Alignment Specialist)
• Drivability Technician
• Auto Heater Mechanic (Automotive Heater Mechanic)
• Auto Brake Mechanic (Automotive Brake Mechanic)
• Line Mechanic
• Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Technician
• Transmission Specialist
• Automotive Cooling System Diagnostic Technician (Auto Cooling System Diagnostic Tech)
• Automotive Brake Specialist (Auto Brake Specialist)
• Transmission Mechanic

Education Typically Required

Across the occupations open to Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology graduates, the typical level of education actually held by current workers is distributed as:

Education Level	Share of Workers
Postsecondary certificate	50.2%
High school diploma or equivalent	42.6%
Some college courses	5.8%
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year)	1.4%

^{Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*}

Who Is Earning a Degree in Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology?

Gender Distribution

This field skews predominantly male, with men earning 90.8% of Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology degrees.

Gender	Graduates	Share
Women	38	9.2%
Men	374	90.8%

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the national level, the racial-ethnic distribution of Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology graduates is as follows:

Race / Ethnicity	Graduates	Share
White	110	26.7%
Asian	87	21.1%
Hispanic or Latino	141	34.2%
Black or African American	22	5.3%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	2	0.5%
Two or More Races	5	1.2%
Race Unknown	45	10.9%

^{See minority definition below.}

How Much Do Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology Graduates Earn?

College Scorecard reports median earnings of Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow steadily as graduates gain experience and move into mid-career roles.

Years Out	Median Earnings
1 year	$37,744
4 years	$43,612
5 years	$49,558

By year 5 out, median earnings rise to $49,558 — roughly 31% above the 1-year mark.

^{Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.}

Is a Degree in Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology Worth It?

Strictly by the federal earnings tracker, Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology graduates earn a median of $43,612 four years after completion — roughly 15% above the national median for workers with only a high school diploma (~$38,000).

^{ROI estimate compares the program’s 4-yr median earnings against the 2023 BLS CPS median earnings for high-school-only workers. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard + BLS Current Population Survey.}

Related Programs

You may also be interested in these closely related fields of study:

Program	Annual Degrees Awarded
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technology/Technician, General	74,567
Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician	41,728
Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician	9,859
Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician	7,637
Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician	5,464
Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician	3,372
Medium/Heavy Vehicle and Truck Technology/Technician	2,100
Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair Technology/Technician	896
Marine Maintenance/Fitter and Ship Repair Technology/Technician	799
Avionics Maintenance Technology/Technician	719
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technology/Technician, General	630
High Performance and Custom Engine Technician/Mechanic	470

References

The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students and international students. This number is then divided by the total number of students to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

• College Factual
• National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)
• O*NET Online
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard

More about our data sources and methodologies.