by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in General Mechanics & Repairers involves the study of Mechanics And Repairers, General. A Program That Generally Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills In The Adjustment, Maintenance, Part Replacement, And Repair Of Tools, Equipment, And Machines. Read on to learn the important information every general mechanics & repairers student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general mechanics & repairers programs.
In the U.S., general mechanics & repairers draws strong interest, with 433 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Mechanics & Repairers Schools ranking analyzes these 17 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general mechanics & repairers students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general mechanics & repairers programs later in this article.
Programs in General Mechanics & Repairers develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general mechanics & repairers graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a general mechanics & repairers program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a general mechanics & repairers major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general mechanics & repairers 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 | 153 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 222 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 58 |
People currently working in careers related to general mechanics & repairers tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 57.3% |
| Some college courses | 15.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 15.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 5.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 1.5% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general mechanics & repairers careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying general mechanics & repairers prepares you for numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to general mechanics & repairers.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general mechanics & repairers.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | 110,130 | 1.2% |
| Geothermal Technicians | 39,974 | 0.1% |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other | 28,851 | 13.1% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of general mechanics & repairers graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $24,070 |
| 4 years | $19,553 |
| 5 years | $22,196 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for general mechanics & repairers graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general mechanics & repairers grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | $85,639 |
| Geothermal Technicians | $64,661 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other | $39,581 |
With 17 different general mechanics & repairers programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general mechanics & repairers school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
