# Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

> Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/automotive-service-technicians-and-mechanics
- SOC code: 49-3023.00
- Career family: Installation and repair
- Median annual pay: $50,620 (10th percentile $34,660, 90th percentile $81,790)
- Projected growth: Faster than average, +5.0%
- Openings a year: 66,200
- Typical entry education: Postsecondary certificate
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 100 |
| Investigative (I) | 43 |
| Artistic (A) | 0 |
| Social (S) | 8 |
| Enterprising (E) | 10 |
| Conventional (C) | 55 |

## What you'd do

- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (importance 82/100)
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment (importance 79/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 78/100)
- Performing General Physical Activities (importance 78/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 76/100)
- Getting Information (importance 75/100)
- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 74/100)
- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 73/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 72/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 70/100)

## Skills

Repairing, Troubleshooting, Equipment Maintenance, Critical Thinking, Operations Monitoring, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Installation, Operation and Control, Quality Control Analysis

## Knowledge

Mechanical, Engineering and Technology, Computers and Electronics, Customer and Personal Service, English Language, Mathematics, Education and Training, Physics, Administration and Management, Transportation

## Also called

AC Tech (Air Conditioning Technician), Alternative Fuel Vehicle Maintenance Technician (AFV Maintenance Tech), Ambulance Mechanic, ASE Master Mechanic (Automotive Service Excellence Master Mechanic), Auto AC Installer (Automotive Air Conditioning Installer), Auto AC Mechanic (Automotive Air Conditioning Mechanic), Auto Bench Mechanic (Automotive Bench Mechanic), Auto Brake Mechanic (Automotive Brake Mechanic), Auto Brake Specialist (Automotive Brake Specialist), Auto Brake Tech (Automotive Brake Technician)

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4706) (CIP 4706, 713 colleges)
- [Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1508) (CIP 1508, 319 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [California State University Maritime Academy](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-maritime-academy-363) | Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $97,197 | $126,209 | $26,935 |
| [University of Massachusetts-Lowell](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-massachusetts-lowell-2953) | Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | not reported | $120,219 | not reported |
| [Metropolitan State University of Denver](https://www.collegesref.com/college/metropolitan-state-university-of-denver-1667) | Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $73,430 | $98,267 | $23,407 |
| [Wayne State University-Michigan](https://www.collegesref.com/college/wayne-state-university-michigan-3181) | Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $70,466 | $97,257 | not reported |
| [Farmingdale State College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/farmingdale-state-college-941) | Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $62,701 | $91,941 | $15,000 |
| [University of Maine Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-maine-main-campus-2938) | Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $71,830 | $91,879 | $22,000 |
| [California State Polytechnic University-Pomona](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona-362) | Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $72,141 | $91,230 | $16,815 |
| [Central Connecticut State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/central-connecticut-state-university-461) | Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $77,570 | $90,472 | $25,500 |

## Related careers

- [Rail Car Repairers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/rail-car-repairers): $67,530 median pay
- [Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/bus-and-truck-mechanics-and-diesel-engine-specialists): $61,770 median pay
- [Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electric-motor-power-tool-and-related-repairers): $56,210 median pay
- [Motorcycle Mechanics](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/motorcycle-mechanics): $48,580 median pay
- [Engine and Other Machine Assemblers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/engine-and-other-machine-assemblers): $53,710 median pay
- [Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/motorboat-mechanics-and-service-technicians): $57,550 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.