An automotive technology program might be a great choice if you are a high school graduate who enjoys technical work, and are looking to get to a rewarding career sooner rather than later with a high salary. This is a rewarding and lucrative option, as modern vehicles are essentially computers on wheels.
It’s also an industry that’s consistently sought-after, based on the numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The number of openings in this industry is approximately 70,000 annually, as a result of industry retirements and fleet expansion.
At $28.68 per hour and a multitude of opportunities to develop and learn, this could be the quickest route from graduation to a job. Here are the steps if you wish to pursue it to the highest level in this field.
Automotive Technology Programs
First, you have to decide which program to pursue after graduating from high school. While automotive technology is a highly technical field, the baseline requirements to enter a program are straightforward:
- High school diploma or recognized high school equivalency certificate
- Must be at least 18 years old (17 with formal parental consent)
- Basic placement or aptitude exams (such as Accuplacer or the Wonderlic SLE)
- A valid driver’s license and a clean driving record
Depending on your career objectives, you have a variety of automotive technology courses available in the U.S. For those seeking a more hands-on experience, however, the shortest route to employment is by earning an Associate in Occupational Studies (AOS).
This is a highly specialized, career-focused degree that takes 16 to 24 months and is designed to prepare you for real-world work. What’s even better, an Associate in Occupational Studies (AOS) in automotive technology opens doors across the transportation and mobility sector, including dealerships, fleet operations, public transportation, advanced mobility services, vehicle diagnostics, and automotive repair careers.
Based on interests and certifications, graduates can also go on to work in new vehicle technologies, manufacturer dealerships, fleet maintenance, or automotive service centers.
Get an Entry-Level Job and Accumulate Experience
Your first job out of school is to work as an Express Technician (oil changes, tire rotations, and basic fluid maintenance) or General Service Technician.
It is not uncommon to see fresh graduates not immediately jump into complex diagnostic positions after the intensive AOS training within the first 1-3 months of their work. So, do not be disappointed and take advantage of the opportunity.
Here’s where you can apply for an entry-level position right after graduation:
- Dealership service centers: Structured, brand-specific environments
- Independent repair shops: Work with a wide variety of vehicle makes and models
- Fleet service facilities: Mostly maintenance for commercial or government vehicles
Continue working for at least two years after graduation to achieve the full professional status. This will let you move from an hourly wage structure to the industry-standard flat-rate pay system, where technicians are paid a fixed amount per specific job completed, rather than the actual hours clocked at the shop.
Continue Your Education
As a tech-oriented person, you might hope you’ll be done with education after graduation. But if you want to stay relevant in a highly dynamic market, you’ll need to keep earning professional certifications like those offered by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
An additional benefit is that graduating from an AOS program counts significantly toward the work experience requirement for ASE Certifications, the gold standard for higher pay and promotion in mobility.
The smart move here is to pursue the best certification for your next career step as soon as possible after getting your first job. Certifications and specializations will help you move faster and further in your career.
A Bright Future
The automotive technology industry is one of the most promising in terms of employment demand and job security. It’s also an industry with a low-entry threshold that allows you to grow to the best of your abilities. If this is the path you’ve chosen, then your professional future promises to be quite impressive.
