How long does the training take?

Typically a few months to two years for the certificate, then a few weeks of training on the job. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do automotive service technicians and mechanics make?

The US median is $50,620 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree for this work?

Not a full degree. A certificate or short program is the usual route.

Where can you train for this work?

797 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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Automotive service technicians and mechanics: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Repair & mechanics · SOC 49-3023

$50,620US median pay, 2025

+5%Projected growth, 2025–35

66,200Openings per year

CertificateUsual way in

How you get in

A certificate or short program is the usual way in.

Postsecondary nondegree award
Short-term on-the-job training
Work in: automotive service technicians and mechanics

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician	CIP 47.0604	748
Medium/Heavy Vehicle and Truck Technology/Technician	CIP 47.0613	87
Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician	CIP 15.0803	44
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technology/Technician, General	CIP 47.0600	25
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology/Technician	CIP 47.0614	17
High Performance and Custom Engine Technician/Mechanic	CIP 47.0617	11
Motorsports Engineering Technology/Technician	CIP 15.0807	0
Vehicle Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Technology/Technician	CIP 47.0612	0

See the 797 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically a few months to two years for the certificate, then a few weeks of training on the job. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do automotive service technicians and mechanics make?: The US median is $50,620 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: Not a full degree. A certificate or short program is the usual route.
Where can you train for this work?: 797 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

Related careers in Repair & mechanics

Maintenance and repair workers, general · First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers · Industrial machinery mechanics · Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers · Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists · Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other · Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines · Automotive body and related repairers