by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Medium/Heavy Vehicle & Truck Technology/Technician explores Medium/heavy Vehicle And Truck Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills To The Specialized Maintenance And Repair Of Trucks, Buses, And Other Commercial And Industrial Vehicles. Includes Instruction In Diesel Engine Mechanics, Suspension And Steering, Brake Systems, Electrical And Electronic Systems, Preventive Maintenance Inspections, Drive Trains, Gasoline Engine Mechanics, Hvac Systems, And Auxiliary Equipment Installation And Repair. Examples: [Commercial Trailer Mechanic], [Transport Trailer Technician], [Truck And Coach Technician], [Truck And Transport Mechanic], [Truck-Trailer Service Technician], [Commercial Transport Vehicle Mechanic]. Read on to learn the key facts every medium/heavy vehicle & truck technology/technician student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering medium/heavy vehicle & truck technology/technician programs.
Nationwide, medium/heavy vehicle & truck technology/technician is a widely-pursued major, with 2,100 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Medium/Heavy Vehicle & Truck Technology/Technician Schools ranking analyzes these 86 schools to determine the best overall colleges for medium/heavy vehicle & truck technology/technician students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of medium/heavy vehicle & truck technology/technician programs later in this article.
Coursework for Medium/Heavy Vehicle & Truck Technology/Technician emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations medium/heavy vehicle & truck technology/technician graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a medium/heavy vehicle & truck technology/technician program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a medium/heavy vehicle & truck technology/technician major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several medium/heavy vehicle & truck technology/technician 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 | 1,101 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 254 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 729 |
People currently working in careers related to medium/heavy vehicle & truck technology/technician tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate | 44.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 39.5% |
| Some college courses | 14.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.0% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.5% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in medium/heavy vehicle & truck technology/technician careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in medium/heavy vehicle & truck technology/technician prepares you for numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to medium/heavy vehicle & truck technology/technician.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to medium/heavy vehicle & truck technology/technician.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists | 178,555 | -1.8% |
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | 168,346 | 6.9% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of medium/heavy vehicle & truck technology/technician 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 medium/heavy vehicle & truck technology/technician graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers medium/heavy vehicle & truck technology/technician grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists | $55,957 |
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | $40,917 |
With 86 different medium/heavy vehicle & truck technology/technician programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased medium/heavy vehicle & truck technology/technician school rankings to help you.
Students interested in medium/heavy vehicle & truck technology/technician, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
