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.
A major in Vehicle Maintenance & Repair covers Vehicle Maintenance And Repair Technologies/technicians. Continue reading for the important information every vehicle maintenance & repair major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering vehicle maintenance & repair programs.
Across the country, vehicle maintenance & repair is a widely-pursued major, with 74,567 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Schools ranking analyzes these 902 schools to determine the best overall colleges for vehicle maintenance & repair students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of vehicle maintenance & repair programs later in this article.
Programs in Vehicle Maintenance & Repair develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations vehicle maintenance & repair graduates commonly enter.
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.
The skill set emphasized by a vehicle maintenance & repair program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a vehicle maintenance & repair major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several vehicle maintenance & repair 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 | 29,566 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 16,766 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 167 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 24,915 |
People currently working in careers related to vehicle maintenance & repair tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 41.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 31.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 9.1% |
| Some college courses | 6.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 6.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 4.5% |
| Master’s degree | 0.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 0.1% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in vehicle maintenance & repair careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
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.
Majoring in vehicle maintenance & repair prepares you for numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to vehicle maintenance & repair.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to vehicle maintenance & repair.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers | 838,729 | 7.2% |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 836,825 | 9.2% |
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians | 654,564 | 11.7% |
| Bicycle Repairers | 578,738 | 13.1% |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairers | 547,821 | -4.2% |
| Engine and Other Machine Assemblers | 496,018 | 7.8% |
| Motorcycle Mechanics | 489,164 | -0.3% |
| Avionics Technicians | 487,959 | 5.2% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of vehicle maintenance & repair graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,744 |
| 4 years | $43,612 |
| 5 years | $49,558 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for vehicle maintenance & repair graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers vehicle maintenance & repair grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage | $119,691 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | $85,639 |
| Motorcycle Mechanics | $83,695 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $77,835 |
| Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers | $76,815 |
| Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment | $63,098 |
| Bicycle Repairers | $63,050 |
| Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles | $61,541 |
With 902 different vehicle maintenance & repair programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased vehicle maintenance & repair school rankings to help you.
Those considering vehicle maintenance & repair, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
