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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 can earn 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 develop 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

According to O*NET, a major in 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.
• Critical Thinking — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.
• Operations Monitoring — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.2 / 7.
• Equipment Maintenance — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.

Abilities

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.
• Inductive Reasoning — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.6 / 7.
• Near Vision — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.4 / 7.
• Finger Dexterity — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.9 / 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
Database software	Data base user interface and query software	—
Snap-On ShopKey	Facilities management software	—
IBM Notes	Electronic mail software	—
Scott Systems MaxxTraxx Pro	Facilities management software	—
Microsoft Edge	Internet browser software	—
Nexiq Tech HDS Suite for Palm	Analytical or scientific software	—
AutoZone ALLDATA	Data base user interface and query software	—
Hunter WinAlign	Analytical or scientific software	—
Computer aided manufacturing CAM software	Computer aided manufacturing CAM software	—
SPX/OTC Genisys ConnecTech PC	Analytical or scientific software	—
Microsoft Windows	Operating system software	—
SAP software	Enterprise resource planning ERP software	—

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

Sample Job Titles

Real job postings for Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology graduates include:

• Audio Installer
• Spring Repairer
• Auto Headlight Mechanic (Automotive Headlight Mechanic)
• Spring Floor Service Worker
• Brake Adjuster
• Automotive Consultant (Auto Consultant)
• Wheel Adjuster
• Auto Radiator Specialist (Automotive Radiator Specialist)
• Hydraulic Mechanic
• Wheel Alignment Technician (Wheel Alignment Tech)
• Hybrid Car Mechanic
• Tear Down Worker
• Hydramatic Specialist
• Automotive Brake Adjuster (Auto Braker Adjuster)
• General Service Tech (General Service Technician)

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?

Federal data tracks median earnings of Alternative Fuel Vehicle 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 Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology Worth It?

Looking purely at 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	CIP Code
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technology/Technician, General	47.06
Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician	47.0608
Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician	47.0607
Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician	47.0603
Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician	47.0604
Avionics Maintenance Technology/Technician	47.0609
Bicycle Mechanics and Repair Technology/Technician	47.0610
Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician	47.0605
Engine Machinist	47.0615
High Performance and Custom Engine Technician/Mechanic	47.0617
Marine Maintenance/Fitter and Ship Repair Technology/Technician	47.0616
Medium/Heavy Vehicle and Truck Technology/Technician	47.0613

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.