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Automotive Mechanics Technology

Types of Degrees Automotive Mechanics Technology Majors Are Earning

Students pursuing Automotive Mechanics Technology can earn degrees at several award levels.

Award Level	Graduates
Certificate	13,259
Associate’s Degree	10,327
Bachelor’s Degree	26
Master’s Degree	15,409

What Automotive Mechanics Technology Majors Need to Know

Coursework for Automotive Mechanics Technology develop a specific mix of knowledge, skills, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in occupations that Automotive Mechanics Technology graduates commonly enter.

Knowledge Areas

According to O*NET, a major in Automotive Mechanics Technology emphasizes the following knowledge areas:

• Mechanical — Importance 4.1 / 5; level 5.1 / 7.
• Computers and Electronics — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.4 / 7.
• Engineering and Technology — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.
• Mathematics — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
• Customer and Personal Service — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.3 / 7.

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

Skills

Skills emphasized by a Automotive Mechanics Technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:

• Critical Thinking — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.2 / 7.
• Repairing — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.
• Operations Monitoring — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.
• Troubleshooting — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.
• Active Listening — Importance 3.3 / 5; level 2.9 / 7.

Abilities

Abilities most relevant to Automotive Mechanics Technology careers — again drawn from O*NET surveys of related occupations:

• Near Vision — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 3.7 / 7.
• Arm-Hand Steadiness — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 3.6 / 7.
• Problem Sensitivity — Importance 3.7 / 5; level 3.3 / 7.
• Manual Dexterity — Importance 3.7 / 5; level 3.4 / 7.
• Finger Dexterity — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.7 / 7.

Common Job Activities

Day-to-day, Automotive Mechanics Technology graduates report doing:

Activity	Frequency / Importance
Getting Information	4.3 / 7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	4.2 / 7
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	4.1 / 7
Handling and Moving Objects	4.1 / 7
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	4.0 / 7
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials	3.9 / 7
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment	3.9 / 7
Working with Computers	3.8 / 7
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	3.8 / 7
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings	3.7 / 7

Technology Skills Used on the Job

Most frequently-cited tools used by Automotive Mechanics Technology professionals:

Tool / Software	Category	In-Demand
Microsoft Excel	Spreadsheet software	✓
Microsoft Word	Word processing software	—
Microsoft Office software	Office suite software	✓
Microsoft PowerPoint	Presentation software	✓
Microsoft Outlook	Electronic mail software	✓
Autodesk Revit	Computer aided design CAD software	—
Fluke Corporation FlukeView Forms	Analytical or scientific software	—
Adobe Creative Cloud software	Graphics or photo imaging software	—
IBM Lotus Notes	Electronic mail software	—
Autodesk AutoCAD	Computer aided design CAD software	—
Adobe Illustrator	Graphics or photo imaging software	—
Linux	Operating system software	—

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

Sample Job Titles

Real job postings for Automotive Mechanics Technology graduates include:

• Mobile Electronics Installer
• Wirer
• Body Wirer
• Diagnostic Troubleshooter
• Ship Yard Electrical Person
• Tubing Tester
• Electrical and Electronics Repairer
• Mobile Technician
• Critical Power Install Technician
• Production Troubleshooter
• Marine Electronics Technician
• Metrology Technician
• Critical Power Technician
• Critical Systems Technician
• Electronic Security Technician (Electronic Security Tech)

Education Typically Required

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

Education Level	Share 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: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*}

Who Is Earning a Degree in Automotive Mechanics Technology?

Gender Distribution

This field skews predominantly male, with men earning 91.7% of Automotive Mechanics Technology degrees.

Gender	Graduates	Share
Women	3,470	8.3%
Men	38,258	91.7%

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the national level, the racial-ethnic distribution of Automotive Mechanics Technology graduates is as follows:

Race / Ethnicity	Graduates	Share
White	16,902	40.5%
Asian	1,463	3.5%
Hispanic or Latino	15,213	36.5%
Black or African American	3,615	8.7%
American Indian / Alaska Native	497	1.2%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	126	0.3%
Two or More Races	1,703	4.1%
Race Unknown	2,025	4.9%
International Students	184	0.4%

^{See minority definition below.}

How Much Do Automotive Mechanics Technology Graduates Earn?

The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of Automotive Mechanics Technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise 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 Automotive Mechanics Technology Worth It?

On the earnings side, the federal earnings tracker, Automotive Mechanics 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
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
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology/Technician	412

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.