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GraduateSmart
Compare trade training routes
Compare trade-school and apprenticeship routes. Check each program’s training length, pay, tuition, fees, and local licensing requirements.
Inspect, maintain, and repair cars and light trucks. Automotive service technicians and mechanics diagnose faults in automotive vehicles and then adjust, repair, or overhaul them.
$38,000
Lower reported wage
$49,670
Median
$80,850
Upper reported wage
Annual U.S. salaries. Actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience. The lower and upper figures do not represent starting and senior salaries.

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Create free account →Some specialties or employers require certification; requirements are not identical across all repair jobs. [1]
Search CareerOneStop by occupation and state, then confirm the rules with the issuing agency. Coverage is incomplete; an empty result does not mean no license is required.
About license data coverageU.S. career guide. Program, employer, and state requirements can differ.
BLS 'Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics' (49-3023). Median $49,670; 5% growth. 825,800 jobs.
Illustration: AI-generated image · Illustrative scene
Ask shops which trainee hours are paid and which tools or certifications you must fund yourself. [1]
Compare tuition after aid, required supplies and exams, travel, and any unpaid training time for the route you choose.
Planning questions: request a written estimate from each program or sponsor. A total cost has not been verified here.
A related major can be preparation; it does not by itself qualify you for the career.
A direct technical route; compare real shop practice and employer-recognized credentials. [1]
Inspect, diagnose, maintain, and repair cars and light trucks. [1]
Technicians work in dealerships, repair shops, and service centers. [1]
Often full time; shop hours may include evenings or weekends. [1]
Standing, lifting, noisy equipment, chemicals, and precise safety checks make the work physical. [1]
Experience and specialty certification can support complex diagnostics or shop leadership. [1]
These are possible directions. Promotion timing and pay depend on the role and employer.