by our College Data Analytics TeamMachines and appliances break down all the time. When it's something like a microwave it may not have too much of an impact, but when machinery breaks down in a factory, hospital or power plant, this requires immediate action. Mechanic and Repair Technicians serve invaluable and necessary functions in everyday life, and their skills are always in demand.
A program in Mechanic and Repair Technologies will prepare students to learn the technical knowledge and skill to maintenance, replace parts, adjust, and repair tools, equipment, and machines. Some of the majors in the field are Electronic Maintenance and Repair; Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration (HVACR); Industrial Equipment Maintenance; and Vehicle Maintenance & Repair. While studying in this field, you will be taking courses in blueprint reading, electronics, mechanical drawing, electricity fundamentals, and semiconductor devices. This program is often completed as a certificate, however can be earned as an associate's degree in some cases.
Mechanic & Repair Technologies was the 27th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 96,336 degrees in this year alone. This 4,558 less than the prior year, a decrease of 4.7%.
Our 2023 Best Mechanic & Repair Technologies Schools ranking analyzes 245 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for mechanic and repair technologies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of mechanic and repair technologies programs later in this article.
If you have a curiosity for how things work and enjoy learning how to fix things, you would be well- suited for this major. Most programs require student to acquire an apprenticeships in order to gain work experience and learn basic skills hands-on. This means you will divide your time between work in the field and hours spent in the classroom.
Problem solving is an essential skill to possess for this program. It is your job to diagnose and repair complex problems with machinery. Students should also take care to develop customer-service skills. This will help you in a career in communicating with clients.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Specific mechanic and repair technologies careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different mechanic and repair technologies degree levels. You can spend many years getting as high as a in mechanic and repair technologies to something that takes less time like a . How long it takes to complete some common mechanic and repair technologies degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
An associate degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to mechanic and repair technologies, with approximately 8.3% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to mechanic and repair technologies tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 38.7% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 35.4% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 8.8% |
| Some College Courses | 7.4% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 5.9% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in mechanic and repair technologies careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the mechanic and repair technologies career you are seeking.
An individual who completes a program in Mechanic and Repair Technologies has the opportunity to enter into a variety of career paths working with various machinery or vehicles. You could become an electronic engineering technician and help engineers design and develop electrical devices. Another field is in home appliance installation and repairs. A more in-demand position would be a heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technician. These professionals maintain, repair, and inspect vehicles and machinery in transportation, construction, and other industries. Other jobs include diesel service technicians, vehicle mechanics and more.
Want a job when you graduate with your mechanic and repair technologies degree? Mechanic & Repair Technologies careers are expected to grow 5.5% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to mechanic and repair technologies.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | 795,800 | 6.1% |
| Mechanic, and Repairer Supervisors | 495,000 | 7.1% |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | 381,700 | 14.7% |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | 370,100 | 6.7% |
| Bus and Truck Mechanics | 304,600 | 9.3% |
Mechanic & Repair Technologies graduates between 2017-2019 reported earning an average of $34,848 in the 2019-2020 timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $9,690 to as high as $107,467. As you might expect, salaries for mechanic and repair technologies graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for mechanic and repair technologies graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers mechanic and repair technologies grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Elevator Installers and Repairers | $79,370 |
| Mechanic, and Repairer Supervisors | $69,320 |
| Auto Damage Insurance Appraisers | $65,510 |
| Avionics Technicians | $65,330 |
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians | $65,230 |
With over 6,710 different mechanic and repair technologies degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased mechanic and repair technologies school rankings to help you with this.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Maintenance & Repair | 56,539 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration | 19,594 |
| Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance | 8,717 |
| Electronics Maintenance & Repair | 7,770 |
| Precision Systems Maintenance | 1,932 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Personal & Culinary Services | 130,328 |
| Precision Production | 52,913 |
| Construction Trades | 35,794 |
| Transportation & Materials Moving | 29,084 |
Image Credit: By Alfred Palmer under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
