by our College Data Analytics TeamDo you love to work on cars? Major in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair in order to gain technical knowledge and skills in maintenance, repairs, adjustment, and part replacement to vehicles or other mobile equipment.
You may be able to choose a concentration in this major in subjects like Diesel Mechanics Technology, Aircraft Powerplant Technology, Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair, Heavy Vehicle and Trunk Technology, Alternative Fuel Vehicles Technology, Marine Maintenance/ Fitter and Ship Repair Technology, and Vehicle Emission Inspection.
In addition to classes in your chosen concentration, you will take courses in engine repair, suspension and steering, automotive electricity and electronics, diagnostic techniques, and mechanics. This major is commonly offered as a certification, however can be earned as an associate's.
Vehicle Maintenance & Repair was the 76th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 56,539 degrees in this year alone. This 4,654 less than the prior year, a decrease of 8.2%.
Our 2023 Best Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Schools ranking analyzes 212 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for vehicle maintenance and repair students. Explore this or one of our many other custom vehicle repair rankings further below.
Students should have an inquisitive mind and enjoy learning how things work. You will be learning the mechanics and diagnostics behind a variety of machines. This is a job that is never boring for those who enjoy working with their hands.
Problem solving Customer-service skills will aid you greatly in the field. You will often be working directly with clients, and need to be able to explain complex problems clearly.
Most programs include apprenticeships where you will be able to gain work experience and learn the fundamentals first hand. This involves working with professionals in the field.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most vehicle repair degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. In addition to these basic vehicle maintenance and repair program qualifications, to serve in some vehicle repair careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are various different levels of vehicle repair degrees. Vehicle Maintenance & Repair programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest vehicle repair degree you can get. The time it takes to complete a vehicle repair degree varies depending on the program.
| 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 vehicle repair, with approximately 6.2% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for vehicle repair workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 37.6% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 36.6% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 8.2% |
| Some College Courses | 7.4% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 7.1% |
See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in vehicle maintenance and repair have received.
The education level required is different depending on the vehicle repair career you are seeking.
Individuals who have completed a program in Vehicle Maintenance & Repair are prepared to work with a variety of vehicles. They may become heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians and work to maintain, repair, and inspect vehicles and machinery in transportation, construction, and other industries. Other jobs graduates go into are heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians, aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians, diesel service technicians and mechanics, aerospace engineer technicians, and mechanics.
Want a job when you graduate with your vehicle repair degree? Vehicle Maintenance & Repair careers are expected to grow 5.8% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to vehicle maintenance and repair.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | 795,800 | 6.1% |
| Mechanic, and Repairer Supervisors | 495,000 | 7.1% |
| Bus and Truck Mechanics | 304,600 | 9.3% |
| Automotive Body Repairers | 174,100 | 8.5% |
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians | 138,500 | 4.9% |
Vehicle Maintenance & Repair graduates between 2017-2019 reported earning an average of $34,704 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 vehicle repair graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for vehicle maintenance and repair graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers vehicle repair grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Mechanic, and Repairer Supervisors | $69,320 |
| Auto Damage Insurance Appraisers | $65,510 |
| Avionics Technicians | $65,330 |
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians | $65,230 |
| Transportation Equipment Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers | $61,460 |
With over 3,918 different vehicle repair 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 vehicle repair school rankings to help you with this.
Vehicle Maintenance & Repair is one of 7 different types of Mechanic & Repair Technologies programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration | 19,594 |
| Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance | 8,717 |
| Electronics Maintenance & Repair | 7,770 |
| Precision Systems Maintenance | 1,932 |
| Mechanic & Repair Tech (Other) | 1,267 |
Image Credit: By Airman 1st Class Nigel Sandridge under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
