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Vehicle Emissions Inspection

What Vehicle Emissions Inspection Majors Need to Know

Programs in Vehicle Emissions Inspection develop a specific mix of knowledge, skills, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in occupations that Vehicle Emissions Inspection graduates commonly enter.

Knowledge Areas

According to O*NET, a major in Vehicle Emissions Inspection 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

Skills emphasized by a Vehicle Emissions Inspection 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

Innate abilities most relevant to Vehicle Emissions Inspection careers — again drawn from O*NET surveys of related occupations:

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

Common Job Activities

Day-to-day, Vehicle Emissions Inspection 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
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials	4.0 / 7
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	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 Vehicle Emissions Inspection professionals:

Tool / Software	Category	In-Demand
Microsoft Outlook	Electronic mail software	—
Estimating software	Project management software	—
Scheduling software	Calendar and scheduling software	—
Microsoft Edge	Internet browser software	—
YouTube	Video creation and editing software	—
SAP software	Enterprise resource planning ERP software	—
IBM Notes	Electronic mail software	—
Blue Streak Electronics Buell Diagnostic	Analytical or scientific software	—
CODA Engine Analysis System	Analytical or scientific software	—
Microsoft Word	Word processing software	—
Mainsaver Asset Management	Facilities management software	—
Alliance Automotive Shop Controller	Facilities management software	—

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

Sample Job Titles

Real job postings for Vehicle Emissions Inspection graduates include:

• Auto Overhauler (Automotive Overhauler)
• Service Technician (Service Tech)
• Transmission Mechanic
• Heavy Repairer
• Radiator Tester
• Automotive Service Technician (Auto Service Tech)
• Hydramatic Mechanic
• Carburetor Mechanic
• Auto Wheel Alignment Specialist (Automotive Wheel Alignment Specialist)
• Frameman
• Brakeman
• Vehicle Mechanic
• Radio Aerial Installer
• Hand Spring Repairer
• Automotive Brake Adjuster (Auto Braker Adjuster)

Education Typically Required

Across the occupations open to Vehicle Emissions Inspection 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.*}

How Much Do Vehicle Emissions Inspection Graduates Earn?

College Scorecard reports median earnings of Vehicle Emissions Inspection 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 Vehicle Emissions Inspection Worth It?

Strictly by the federal earnings tracker, Vehicle Emissions Inspection 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.