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February 4, 2016
The outlook is good for automotive technicians, and that’s no surprise. In 2012 (the last year for which data is available), there were 253,639,386 registered vehicles in the United States (according to the U.S.. Department of Transportation). That’s a lot of potential maintenance and repairs, which means a lot of need for qualified people to care for those vehicles. That’s where trained auto technicians come in.
That high demand means that you could earn a very good living in automotive service. In 2014, the median wage for an automotive service technician in the United States was $37,120, with top 10% earning as much as $62,280 and the bottom 10% earning $20,800 (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics). That’s up slightly compared with 2012 wages.
While the largest concentration of jobs for automotive technicians—229,720 in 2014—are found in the automotive repair and maintenance industry, certification as an automotive technician can help you find work in a variety of industries. For example, automobile dealerships employ a large number of automotive service technicians. You may also use this type of training to build a career in the automotive equipment rental industry, with an automotive parts retailer, in the courier industry, or one of several other industries that employ auto techs. Some of the highest paying jobs for are found in industries you may not even have considered, such as natural gas and electricity. Automotive technicians in the natural gas distribution industry command the highest average wages, at $66,280 per year.
Preparing for a Career as an Automotive Technician
If you’re considering a career as an automotive technician, you’re undoubtedly concerned about the time commitment required to develop your skills, earn your certificate and become prepared to enter the work force.
One of the advantages of an automotive technician certificate program is that you aren’t required to spend four years earning a degree, or even complete a two-year course of study at a community college. That’s a significant time investment for an adult who is ready to earn more money and move forward with a new career path. And, degree programs often require you to complete many unnecessary courses that won’t often help you hit the ground running or excel in your field.
Is Becoming an Automotive Technician Right for You?
The demand is clear. Employment of automotive service technicians and mechanics is expected to grow by 9% between 2012 and 2022 (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics). Here are a few questions to help you determine whether automotive service might be the right path for you:
- Do you enjoy working with your hands?
- Do you love technology?
- Are you interested in keeping pace with new developments as automobile design evolves?
- Do you enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes with problem solving and the completion of a clear task?
If so, becoming an automotive technician may be the right career choice for you.
Automotive Technician Certificate Programs
You could earn your automotive technician diploma in about 1.5 years, with a concentrated education in the areas that really matter. When you want to work with cars in a hands-on environment, a general education course in Geology or a semester’s worth of practice with the five-paragraph essay format isn’t going to help you achieve your goals. Instead, a targeted program will strip away all of the distractions and filler and teach you exactly what you need to know: how to assess and repair every system, bumper to bumper, so that you can secure the position you want and perform your job optimally.
Not every program allows for this concentrated, fast-track preparation, though. For example, some community colleges offer a two-year program in automotive technology. If you’re considering a career in this arena, look carefully at the course of study in the program you’re considering to ensure that you’re getting the most direct knowledge and experience for your time and money.
Thank you to ATI, for streaming the graduation live on the web, my father was able to watch from the comfort of his chair in Gettysburg, PA. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to see me graduate.
Posted by Chuck Brandt on Saturday, August 15, 2015
Ready to Take the Next Step Toward Your Future?
If you’re interested in a career as an automotive technician, contact Advanced Technology Institute right now for more information. You could earn your Automotive Technology with Service Management (AOS) in as little as 19 months and be on your way to a new profession.
Don’t hesitate! Pursuing a new career could change your life, and that path can begin as easily as filling out one brief form to request more information. Why not get started right now? Contact us at 800-468-1093 or request information today.
DISCLAIMER – Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) makes no claim, warranty or guarantee as to actual employability or earning potential to current, past or future students or graduates of any educational program offered. The Advanced Technology Institute website is published for informational purposes only. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information contained on the AUTO.edu domain; however, no warranty of accuracy is made. No contractual rights, either expressed or implied, are created by its content.
For more information about Advanced Technology Institute or any of our programs click here: http://www.auto.edu/ or http://ow.ly/Qierab.
