by our College Data Analytics TeamMachines and appliances break down all the time. When it's something like a microwave it may not have too much of an impact, but when machinery breaks down in a factory, hospital or power plant, this requires immediate action. Mechanic and Repair Technicians serve invaluable and necessary functions in everyday life, and their skills are always in demand.
A program in Mechanic and Repair Technologies will prepare students to learn the technical knowledge and skill to maintenance, replace parts, adjust, and repair tools, equipment, and machines. Some of the majors in the field are Electronic Maintenance and Repair; Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration (HVACR); Industrial Equipment Maintenance; and Vehicle Maintenance & Repair. While studying in this field, you will be taking courses in blueprint reading, electronics, mechanical drawing, electricity fundamentals, and semiconductor devices. This program is often completed as a certificate, however can be earned as an associate's degree in some cases.
In 2021-2022, mechanic & repair technologies was the 27th most popular major nationwide with 105,741 degrees awarded. Our 2025 Best Mechanic & Repair Technologies Schools ranking analyzes 178 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for mechanic & repair technologies students. Explore this or one of our many other custom mechanic & repair technologies rankings further below.
If you have a curiosity for how things work and enjoy learning how to fix things, you would be well- suited for this major. Most programs require student to acquire an apprenticeships in order to gain work experience and learn basic skills hands-on. This means you will divide your time between work in the field and hours spent in the classroom.
Problem solving is an essential skill to possess for this program. It is your job to diagnose and repair complex problems with machinery. Students should also take care to develop customer-service skills. This will help you in a career in communicating with clients.
mechanic & repair technologies degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific mechanic & repair technologies careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are various different levels of mechanic & repair technologies degrees. You can spend many years getting as high as a in mechanic & repair technologies to something that takes less time like a . Mechanic & Repair Technologies programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
An associate degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to mechanic & repair technologies, with approximately 8.3% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to mechanic & repair technologies tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 38.7% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 35.4% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 8.8% |
| Some College Courses | 7.4% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 5.9% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in mechanic & repair technologies careers have.
This of course varies depending on which mechanic & repair technologies career you choose.
An individual who completes a program in Mechanic and Repair Technologies has the opportunity to enter into a variety of career paths working with various machinery or vehicles. You could become an electronic engineering technician and help engineers design and develop electrical devices. Another field is in home appliance installation and repairs. A more in-demand position would be a heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technician. These professionals maintain, repair, and inspect vehicles and machinery in transportation, construction, and other industries. Other jobs include diesel service technicians, vehicle mechanics and more.
Want a job when you graduate with your mechanic & repair technologies degree? Mechanic & Repair Technologies careers are expected to grow 5.5% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to mechanic & repair technologies.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | 795,800 | 6.1% |
| Mechanic, and Repairer Supervisors | 495,000 | 7.1% |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | 381,700 | 14.7% |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | 370,100 | 6.7% |
| Bus and Truck Mechanics | 304,600 | 9.3% |
Recently graduated mechanic & repair technologies students earned an average of $37,141 in <nil>. Earnings can range from as low as $10,794 to as high as $118,053. As you might expect, salaries for mechanic & repair technologies graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for mechanic & repair technologies graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers mechanic & repair technologies grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Elevator Installers and Repairers | $79,370 |
| Mechanic, and Repairer Supervisors | $69,320 |
| Auto Damage Insurance Appraisers | $65,510 |
| Avionics Technicians | $65,330 |
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians | $65,230 |
With over 6,760 different mechanic & repair technologies degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased mechanic & repair technologies school rankings to help you with this.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Maintenance & Repair | 63,451 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration | 21,891 |
| Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance | 8,446 |
| Electronics Maintenance & Repair | 8,127 |
| Precision Systems Maintenance | 2,185 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Personal & Culinary Services | 149,352 |
| Precision Production | 55,411 |
| Construction Trades | 40,802 |
| Transportation & Materials Moving | 33,306 |
Image Credit: By Alfred Palmer under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
