by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Automotive Engineering Technology involves the study of Automotive Engineering Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering Principles And Technical Skills In Support Of Engineers And Other Professionals Engaged In Developing, Manufacturing And Testing Self-Propelled Ground Vehicles And Their Systems. Includes Instruction In Vehicular Systems Technology, Design And Development Testing, Prototype And Operational Testing, Inspection And Maintenance Procedures, Instrument Calibration, Test Equipment Operation And Maintenance, And Report Preparation. Continue reading for the key facts every automotive engineering technology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering automotive engineering technology programs.
Nationwide, automotive engineering technology is a popular field of study, with 1,112 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Automotive Engineering Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 48 schools to determine the best overall colleges for automotive engineering technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of automotive engineering technology programs later in this article.
Programs in Automotive Engineering Technology develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations automotive engineering technology graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a automotive engineering technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a automotive engineering technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several automotive engineering technology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 179 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 316 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 302 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 261 |
People currently working in careers related to automotive engineering technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate | 28.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 25.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 23.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 12.4% |
| Some college courses | 6.8% |
| Master’s degree | 3.0% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in automotive engineering technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in automotive engineering technology opens doors to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to automotive engineering technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to automotive engineering technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 361,883 | -1.1% |
| Automotive Engineering Technicians | 193,201 | 0.6% |
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | 168,346 | 6.9% |
| Mechanical Drafters | 127,074 | 12.6% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of automotive engineering technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $58,128 |
| 4 years | $66,942 |
| 5 years | $75,102 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for automotive engineering technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers automotive engineering technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $108,923 |
| Automotive Engineering Technicians | $89,794 |
| Mechanical Drafters | $78,252 |
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | $40,917 |
With 48 different automotive engineering technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased automotive engineering technology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in automotive engineering technology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
