Mechanic
Education required for this profession
Most employers regard the successful completion of a vocational training program in automotive service technology as the best preparation for trainee positions. High school programs, while an asset, vary greatly in scope. Graduates of these programs may need further training to become qualified. Some of the more extensive high school programs participate in Automotive Youth Education Service (AYES), a partnership between high school automotive repair programs, automotive manufacturers, and franchised automotive dealers. All AYES high school programs are certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Students who complete these programs are well prepared to enter entry-level technician positions or to advance their technical education. Courses in automotive repair, electronics, physics, chemistry, English, computers, and mathematics provide a good educational background for a career as a service technician.
Relevant Degree/Diploma/CertificateHigh School Diploma, Technical Training
Quick Facts
Automotive service technicians and mechanics must continually adapt to changing technology and repair techniques as vehicle components and systems become increasingly sophisticated.
Formal automotive technician training is the best preparation for these challenging technology-based jobs.
Opportunities should be very good for automotive service technicians and mechanics with diagnostic and problem-solving skills, knowledge of electronics and mathematics, and mechanical aptitude.
SalaryMedian hourly wage-and-salary earnings of automotive service technicians and mechanics, including commission, are $16.24 . The middle 50 percent earn between $11.96 and $21.56 per hour. The lowest 10 percent earn less than $9.17, and the highest 10 percent earn more than $27.22 per hour.