Automotive Shop Safety Rules
Automotive shop safety rules and regulations are vital to ensuring automotive technicians remain safe in the workplace. Learn more here!
Going to automotive trade school is a great way to prepare for a career as an automotive technician. But is it worth the investment?
It all depends on the future you envision for yourself.
To help you decide, we’ve detailed what a career as an automotive technician entails plus the training, cost and time it takes to get there. Read on to see how your investment can result in an exciting future.
A technician is defined as “a person who is trained or skilled in the technicalities of a subject.” Automotive technicians specialize in the technology needed to inspect, diagnose, repair and maintain motor vehicles.
As an automotive tech, your day-to-day life revolves around cars and the components that make them run. You may find yourself:
You might be wondering, “Is an automotive tech the same as an auto mechanic?” It’s a commonly debated topic and, depending on whom you ask, you’ll hear different opinions.
Those who believe there’s a distinction tend to see a key difference: Mechanics specialize in more hands-on work, like changing oil and brake pads. Automotive technicians do this as well, but they also deal more with electrical diagnosis and identification of drivability complaints.
If you’re passionate about cars, love working with your hands, and want industry-specific training that could help you start a career sooner than a traditional four-year education, attending automotive trade school to train to become an automotive tech could be a great option.
Training to become an automotive technician could lead to a variety of exciting jobs where you can earn a good salary and be valued for your skills.1 If you recognize any of these qualities in yourself, you might just find it to be a good path:
Whether you want to specialize in parts or work your way up to a service manager role, trained automotive technicians have the opportunity to work in a variety of industries.
Automotive technicians usually work in auto repair shops or dealerships. Here are some of the job titles your training could lead to:
Automotive technicians aren’t limited to working under the hood, either. They may be able to advance to service writer or service manager positions, or even become an automotive instructor at a trade school like Universal Technical Institute (UTI). Some take the entrepreneurial path and start businesses of their own. Some have even ended up in the railroad industry.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for automotive service technicians and mechanics in the United States was $47,770 in May 2023.25 This means half of automotive technicians earned more and half earned less.
Salary depends on several factors, including experience, employer, demand and cost of living in the area. To get a better idea of what technicians are earning, check out our auto technician salary guide, ranked by state.
The right automotive trade school could help open doors to an exciting future.
High school graduates typically need formal automotive technician education to become fully qualified, according to the BLS. The best preparation is a trade school or postsecondary education program.
Automotive technicians typically complete trade school in less than two years. Programs can last anywhere from six months to a year and provide intensive career preparation through classroom instruction and hands-on learning, according to the BLS.
By attending a school like UTI, you can get trained for the industry in less than a year.7 To learn more, check out this blog on how long it takes to become an auto technician.
Tuition varies from program to program. At UTI, there are grants and scholarships available, as well as other financial aid options, to help students pay for automotive technician school.10
Certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is the standard credential for service technicians.
To become certified, technicians must have at least two years of experience (or relevant schooling and one year of experience) and pass exams. As a UTI graduate, you’ll be prepared to complete ASE examinations and can substitute your training for one of the two years of work experience required to become ASE certified.16
Here are some of the key benefits automotive technicians can expect in their careers:
UTI’s Automotive Technology program is designed to give students the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the industry. In just 51 weeks,7 you can learn to diagnose, maintain and repair vehicles like a true automotive professional.
Program courses cover a variety of topics, including:
With UTI’s industry-aligned curriculum and relationships with top manufacturers, you can train for an exciting future. To learn more, visit our Automotive Technology program page and request more information today.
Universal Technical Institute of Illinois, Inc. is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.