---

Automotive Mechanics Technology

Types of Degrees Automotive Mechanics Technology Majors Are Earning

Students pursuing Automotive Mechanics Technology have the option of earning 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

Programs in Automotive Mechanics Technology emphasize 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

This major prepares you for careers needing 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

The skill set 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

Innate 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 Office software	Office suite software	✓
Microsoft Word	Word processing software	—
Microsoft Excel	Spreadsheet software	✓
Microsoft PowerPoint	Presentation software	✓
Microsoft Outlook	Electronic mail software	✓
Adobe Photoshop	Graphics or photo imaging software	—
IBM Lotus Notes	Electronic mail software	—
Autodesk AutoCAD	Computer aided design CAD software	—
Autodesk Revit	Computer aided design CAD software	—
Adobe InDesign	Desktop publishing software	—
Megger PowerDB	Compliance software	—
IBM Lotus 1-2-3	Spreadsheet 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
• Marine Electronics Technician
• Metrology Technician
• Electronic Troubleshooter
• Electronic Systems Technician (Electronic Systems Tech)
• Critical Power Technician
• Electronics Mechanic
• Marine Electronics Repairer
• Tubing Tester
• Locomotive Electrician
• Mobile Technician
• Critical Power Install Technician
• Critical Systems Technician

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. Earnings tend to climb 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?

Looking purely at 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	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
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology/Technician	47.0614
Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician	47.0603
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.