How long does the training take?

Typically no schooling after high school, then less than 5 years of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

Do you need a degree for this work?

No. Most people are hired and trained on the job; a program is optional.

Where can you train for this work?

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

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First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Repair & mechanics · SOC 49-1011

$79,860US median pay, 2025

+4.1%Projected growth, 2025–35

48,900Openings per year

On the jobUsual way in

How you get in

Most people are hired and trained on the job, so school is optional. A program can still help you stand out.

High school diploma or equivalent (a program is optional for this job)
Less than 5 years of experience in a related job
Work in: first-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers

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
Operations Management and Supervision	CIP 52.0205	144
Lineworker	CIP 46.0303	68
Electrical and Power Transmission Installation/Installer, General	CIP 46.0301	62
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technology/Technician, General	CIP 47.0600	25
Mechanics and Repairers, General	CIP 47.0000	18
High Performance and Custom Engine Technician/Mechanic	CIP 47.0617	11
Energy Systems Installation and Repair Technology/Technician	CIP 47.0701	4
Wind Energy System Installation and Repair Technology/Technician	CIP 47.0704	4
Solar Energy System Installation and Repair Technology/Technician	CIP 47.0703	3
Recreation Vehicle (RV) Service Technician	CIP 47.0618	1
Hydroelectric Energy System Installation and Repair Technology/Technician	CIP 47.0705	0
Geothermal Energy System Installation and Repair Technology/Technician	CIP 47.0706	0

See the 297 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically no schooling after high school, then less than 5 years of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do first-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers make?: The US median is $79,860 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?: No. Most people are hired and trained on the job; a program is optional.
Where can you train for this work?: 297 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 · Automotive service technicians and mechanics · 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