Vehicle Maintenance graduates earn $80,809 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 11.9%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
This page covers Vehicle Maintenance as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Mechanics & Repair and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Vehicle Maintenance is a focused area of study within Mechanics & Repair. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $80,809 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 956 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 68,347 students complete it each year, most walking away with a certificate. Training is practical and skills-based, with a fast path from classroom to job site.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$67,372
Median Earnings · 4yr
$80,809
Colleges Offering
956
Graduates / Year
68,347
Avg Net Price / yr
$25,717
How Much Do Vehicle Maintenance Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Vehicle Maintenance, a typical graduate earns $80,809, well above average for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $62,834 and $103,882, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.
Earnings in this field tend to be stable early on. Expect the four-year median to closely reflect your long-term starting point.
$80,809
4-Year National Median
Well above average for college graduates.
$78,712
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Vehicle Maintenance graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Region and union membership drive the gap more than any other factor. Union jobs in high-cost metros pay significantly more than non-union positions elsewhere.
$62,83425th pct.
$80,809Median
$103,88275th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $80,809 against an estimated $102,868 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 24 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 68,347 students who complete Vehicle Maintenance programs each year, the majority (58%) earn a certificate degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
58%35%
Certificate58%
Associate's35%
Doctorate7%
What Can You Do With a Vehicle Maintenance Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Vehicle Maintenance graduates show up in 8 different occupations, and Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers pay the most at $84,890/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Critical ThinkingActive ListeningQuality Control AnalysisOperations MonitoringRepairing
Day-to-day responsibilities
Install, adjust, or maintain mobile electronics communication equipment, including sound, sonar, security, navigation, and surveillance systems on trains, watercraft, or other mobile equipment.
Inspect and test electrical systems and equipment to locate and diagnose malfunctions, using visual inspections, testing devices, and computer software.
Reassemble and test equipment after repairs.
Adjust, repair, or replace defective wiring and relays in ignition, lighting, air-conditioning, and safety control systems, using electrician's tools.
Critical ThinkingQuality Control AnalysisOperations MonitoringReading ComprehensionActive Listening
Day-to-day responsibilities
Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.
Test aircraft systems under simulated operational conditions, performing systems readiness tests and pre- and post-operational checkouts, to establish design or fabrication parameters.
Identify required data, data acquisition plans, and test parameters, setting up equipment to conform to these specifications.
Inspect, diagnose, maintain, and operate test setups and equipment to detect malfunctions.
Equipment MaintenanceTroubleshootingRepairingQuality Control AnalysisOperations Monitoring
Day-to-day responsibilities
Install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles.
Test and troubleshoot instruments, components, and assemblies, using circuit testers, oscilloscopes, or voltmeters.
Keep records of maintenance and repair work.
Adjust, repair, or replace malfunctioning components or assemblies, using hand tools or soldering irons.
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
Inspect completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and that aircraft are ready for operation.
Read and interpret maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components.
Maintain repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance.
High school diploma or equivalent48,900 openings/yr618K employed nationally
MonitoringManagement of Personnel ResourcesJudgment and Decision MakingTime ManagementCoordination
Day-to-day responsibilities
Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers. May also advise customers on recommended services. Excludes team or work leaders.
Inspect, test, and measure completed work, using devices such as hand tools or gauges to verify conformance to standards or repair requirements.
Inspect and monitor work areas, examine tools and equipment, and provide employee safety training to prevent, detect, and correct unsafe conditions or violations of procedures and safety rules.
Interpret specifications, blueprints, or job orders to construct templates and lay out reference points for workers.
Appraise automobile or other vehicle damage to determine repair costs for insurance claim settlement. Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost or cost estimates and recommendations. May seek agreement with automotive repair shop on repair costs.
Evaluate practicality of repair as opposed to payment of market value of vehicle before accident.
Review repair cost estimates with automobile repair shop to secure agreement on cost of repairs.
Examine damaged vehicle to determine extent of structural, body, mechanical, electrical, or interior damage.
High school diploma or equivalent24,400 openings/yr290K employed nationally
TroubleshootingRepairingOperations MonitoringEquipment MaintenanceQuality Control Analysis
Day-to-day responsibilities
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines. Includes mechanics working primarily with automobile or marine diesel engines.
Use handtools, such as screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, pressure gauges, or precision instruments, as well as power tools, such as pneumatic wrenches, lathes, welding equipment, or jacks and hoists.
Inspect brake systems, steering mechanisms, wheel bearings, and other important parts to ensure that they are in proper operating condition.
Raise trucks, buses, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks or hoists.
High school diploma or equivalent2,600 openings/yr23K employed nationally
RepairingEquipment MaintenanceTroubleshootingOperation and ControlOperations Monitoring
Day-to-day responsibilities
Repair and adjust electrical and mechanical equipment of inboard or inboard-outboard boat engines.
Start motors and monitor performance for signs of malfunctioning, such as smoke, excessive vibration, or misfiring.
Document inspection and test results and work performed or to be performed.
Mount motors to boats, and operate boats at various speeds on waterways to conduct operational tests.
Top Colleges for Vehicle Maintenance
Not sure where to study Vehicle Maintenance? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Vehicle Maintenance graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Mechanics & Repair Programs
Vehicle Maintenance is not the only path through Mechanics & Repair: 7 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Vehicle Maintenance program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Vehicle Maintenance a solid option. The 4 strengths and 3 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $80,809 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +11.9% over the next decade, with Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 91,300 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
Wide availabilityOffered at 956 colleges nationwide, with options at every price point and institution type.
CONS
Licensure often requiredMany positions in this field require trade licenses, certifications, or apprenticeship completion. These add time and cost beyond the academic credential.
Declining roles in some areas1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
Highly competitive market68,347 students graduate from this program every year, one of the higher volumes nationally. Entry-level competition can be stiff.
$80,809 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $62,834 and $103,882, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Vehicle Maintenance degree?
$67,372 in the first year out. That grows to $80,809 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Vehicle Maintenance degree?
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers are one path, and it pays a median of $84,890 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Vehicle Maintenance program take?
One to two years of full-time study for most Vehicle Maintenance certificates, and some community colleges get you through in a single semester. That makes it one of the fastest ways into the field.
How many colleges offer Vehicle Maintenance?
956 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Vehicle Maintenance degree worth it?
$80,809 median earnings four years out against $25,717 a year in average net price. That is a reasonable payback window, best at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Vehicle Maintenance and Mechanics & Repair?
Vehicle Maintenance is the narrower of the two: Mechanics & Repair covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Vehicle Maintenance-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Vehicle Maintenance graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Vehicle Maintenance graduates consistently look for technical proficiency, safety compliance, and hands-on problem-solving. Certifications, apprenticeships, and demonstrated practical experience typically carry as much weight as academic credentials in this field. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Vehicle Maintenance graduates?
It can be. At a median salary of $80,809, graduate study in Vehicle Maintenance tends to meaningfully raise long-term income, particularly through specialized or professional programs tied to high-demand roles. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Vehicle Maintenance graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +4.5% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians are among the strongest-growth roles at +11.9%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
Related Mechanics & Repair Programs
Other programs in Mechanics & Repair. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
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