TRADES Specialization

Vehicle Maintenance

Vehicle Maintenance graduates earn $80,809 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 8.2%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Avionics Technicians is among the highest-growth roles in the field.

About Vehicle Maintenance

Vehicle Maintenance is a focused area of study within Mechanics & Repair. Graduates typically earn around $80,809 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. The program is available at 956 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 68,347 students complete this program each year, most earning 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?

Vehicle Maintenance graduates earn $80,809 four years out, well above average for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,834 and $103,882.

$67,372
1 Year After Graduation

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

There is a wide earnings spread across Vehicle Maintenance graduates. 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.


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.

Certificate 58%
Associate's 35%
Doctorate 7%

What Can You Do With a Vehicle Maintenance Degree?

Vehicle Maintenance connects to 8 occupations in the job market. Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers leads at $84,890/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↗ +6.1% Zone 3: Medium preparation
$84,890
$64K $99K 25th–75th pct.
Postsecondary nondegree award 600 openings/yr 7K employed nationally
Critical Thinking Active Listening Quality Control Analysis Operations Monitoring Repairing
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.
↗ +8.1% Zone 3: Medium preparation
$82,890
$68K $111K 25th–75th pct.
Associate's degree 900 openings/yr 11K employed nationally
Critical Thinking Quality Control Analysis Operations Monitoring Reading Comprehension Active 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.
↗ +8.2% Zone 3: Medium preparation
$82,280
$64K $99K 25th–75th pct.
Postsecondary nondegree award 1,800 openings/yr 19K employed nationally
Equipment Maintenance Troubleshooting Repairing Quality Control Analysis Operations 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.
↗ +4.0% Zone 3: Medium preparation
$79,870
$63K $99K 25th–75th pct.
Postsecondary nondegree award 11,300 openings/yr 138K employed nationally
Repairing Equipment Maintenance Troubleshooting Operations Monitoring Reading Comprehension
Day-to-day responsibilities

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.
↗ +3.1% Zone 3: Medium preparation
$79,860
$63K $101K 25th–75th pct.
High school diploma or equivalent 52,400 openings/yr 618K employed nationally
Monitoring Management of Personnel Resources Judgment and Decision Making Time Management Coordination
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.
↘ -8.2% Zone 3: Medium preparation
$78,240
$65K $92K 25th–75th pct.
Postsecondary nondegree award 500 openings/yr 12K employed nationally
Writing Speaking Active Listening Reading Comprehension Critical Thinking
Day-to-day responsibilities

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.
↗ +2.4% Zone 3: Medium preparation
$61,770
$51K $75K 25th–75th pct.
High school diploma or equivalent 26,500 openings/yr 290K employed nationally
Troubleshooting Repairing Operations Monitoring Equipment Maintenance Quality 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.
↗ +6.0% Zone 3: Medium preparation
$57,550
$47K $67K 25th–75th pct.
High school diploma or equivalent 2,600 openings/yr 23K employed nationally
Repairing Equipment Maintenance Troubleshooting Operation and Control Operations 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

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Vehicle Maintenance students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

# College Graduates Acceptance Net Price/yr Earnings 10yr
1 Universal Technical Institute-Orlando Orlando, FL · For-Profit 1,401 Open $25,003 $48,341
2 WyoTech Laramie, WY · For-Profit 1,022 Open $36,726 $50,167
3 Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc Avondale, AZ · For-Profit 984 Open $30,451 $52,873
4 Universal Technical Institute of Texas Inc. Houston, TX · For-Profit 850 Open $23,096 $51,222
5 Universal Technical Institute-Dallas Fort Worth Irving, TX · For-Profit 829 Open $26,265 $51,222
6 Mech-Tech College Caguas, PR · For-Profit 765 Open $10,697 $24,967
7 Universal Technical Institute-Southern California Long Beach, CA · For-Profit 653 Open $27,506 $52,873
8 Universal Technical Institute of California Inc Rancho Cucamonga, CA · For-Profit 641 Open $26,360 $52,873
9 Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc Sacramento, CA · For-Profit 619 Open $28,887 $48,341
10 Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc Lisle, IL · For-Profit 541 Open $27,060 $52,873
11 Universal Technical Institute-Mooresville Mooresville, NC · For-Profit 535 Open $28,915 $52,873
12 Texas State Technical College Waco, TX · Public 519 Open $13,508 $38,916
13 Jefferson Community and Technical College Louisville, KY · Public 515 Open $6,376 $38,171
14 Universal Technical Institute of Pennsylvania Inc Exton, PA · For-Profit 469 Open $24,883 $51,222
15 Universal Technical Institute-Bloomfield Bloomfield, NJ · For-Profit 466 Open $28,042 $51,222
16 Universal Technical Institute-Phoenix Avondale, AZ · For-Profit 463 Open $24,863 $48,341
17 Lincoln College of Technology-Denver Denver, CO · For-Profit 401 Open $32,423 $46,396
18 Nashville Auto-Diesel College Nashville, TN · For-Profit 398 Open $32,544 $46,396
19 National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay Clearwater, FL · For-Profit 374 Open $27,476 $59,029
20 Lincoln College of Technology-Grand Prairie Grand Prairie, TX · For-Profit 344 Open $33,250 $46,396

Ranked by Vehicle Maintenance graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

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.

Vehicle Maintenance Degree: Pros & Cons

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 salary Graduates earn $80,809 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
  • Fast-growing field Related careers are projected to grow up to +8.2% over the next decade, with Avionics Technicians among the fastest-growing roles.
  • Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 96,600 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
  • Wide availability Offered at 956 colleges nationwide, with options at every price point and institution type.
CONS
  • Licensure often required Many positions in this field require trade licenses, certifications, or apprenticeship completion. These add time and cost beyond the academic credential.
  • Declining roles in some areas 1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
  • Highly competitive market 68,347 students graduate from this program every year, one of the higher volumes nationally. Entry-level competition can be stiff.

Vehicle Maintenance Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Vehicle Maintenance graduates earn?
Vehicle Maintenance graduates earn a national median of $80,809 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,834 and $103,882. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Vehicle Maintenance degree?
One year after graduation, Vehicle Maintenance degree holders earn a median of $67,372. That climbs to $80,809 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Vehicle Maintenance degree?
Vehicle Maintenance degree holders pursue careers including Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, which pays a median of $84,890/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Vehicle Maintenance program take?
Most Vehicle Maintenance certificate programs take one to two years of full-time study. Some are available in as little as one semester at community colleges.
How many colleges offer Vehicle Maintenance?
956 colleges and universities in the United States offer Vehicle Maintenance programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Vehicle Maintenance degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $80,809 and an average net price of roughly $25,717/yr, a Vehicle Maintenance degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Vehicle Maintenance and Mechanics & Repair?
Vehicle Maintenance is a focused concentration within the broader Mechanics & Repair field. The Mechanics & Repair major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Vehicle Maintenance-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Vehicle Maintenance graduates?
Employers hiring Vehicle Maintenance graduates consistently prioritize 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.
Is graduate school worth it for Vehicle Maintenance graduates?
With a median salary of $80,809, graduate study in Vehicle Maintenance can meaningfully increase long-term income, particularly for specialized or professional programs aligned with high-demand roles. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Vehicle Maintenance graduates?
The job outlook for Vehicle Maintenance graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +3.7% job growth over the next 10 years. Avionics Technicians is among the strongest-growth roles at +8.2%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.

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