Online Auto Mechanic School

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most employers seek candidates who have completed formal auto mechanic courses or auto mechanic degree programs that are qualified to handle emerging automotive technology. In the larger cities, the BLS reports, many employers demand entry-level automotive mechanics to hold an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification. You can kiss the old-school wrench jockeys goodbye.

Auto Mechanic School: What to Expect

Today's campus and online auto mechanic schools provide instruction in diagnosis, service, and repair of domestic and foreign vehicles, along with the increasingly sophisticated computerized tools required to keep pace with emerging models and systems, including hybrids. That doesn't mean you won't be required to handle tools or use your common sense and your experience. Auto mechanic courses combine technical training with hands-on practice in generally required skill areas, including:

• Engines and power plants
• Transmission systems
• Electrical systems
• Wheels and brakes
• Electronic fuel injection systems
• Heating and air conditioning
• Diagnostics and smog certifications

You may also choose to continue your education later by enrolling in courses for high-performance vehicles, street rods, diesel engines, chassis repair or fabrications, trim and upholstery, or collision repair and painting. Some auto mechanic schools may focus on manufacturer specific training for diagnosing, repair, or maintenance of foreign and high-performance vehicles.

Among the auto mechanic degree programs, you'll find courses leading to diplomas, certificates, associate's degrees, and four-year bachelor's degree in automotive engineering technology.

Career Options for Auto Mechanic School Graduates

Grads from auto mechanic degree programs may take jobs with automobile dealerships, private repair shops and garages, auto parts stores, parts manufacturing companies, tire retailers, or as self-employed professionals. The BLS reports that 31 percent of all mechanics work in shops and 28 percent are employed by dealers.

If you work for a dealership or repair shop after graduating from mechanics school, you'll probably work as an apprentice behind a seasoned mechanic who checks your work. With experience, you'll move from assigned auto maintenance roles to diagnostic and repair work. You may choose to pursue additional training on specific brands of vehicles as your employer asks you to obtain certifications.

Salary Outlook for Auto Mechanic School Degree Holders

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that automotive service technicians and mechanics earned mean annual wages of $37,880 in 2009. The top ten percent of auto mechanics took home more than $59,920 for the year. Wages vary by region, training, and the size of your employer. For example, the annual mean wage in Pennsylvania for auto mechanics in 2009 was $35,830, while the same position paid $44,850 in Washington, D.C. In the busy San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara area of California's Silicon Valley, mechanics earned $24.31 an hour, while in smaller Punta Gorda, FL, they took home $15.77 an hour.

States areas with the highest concentration of auto mechanics include Vermont, Montana, West Virginia, and Maine, while the top-paying state was Alaska, with an hourly mean wage of $23.74. You can earn more by continuing to add specializations and certifications. In the auto body field, by comparison, the 2009 mean annual wage was $41,020, with the top earners drawing $63,980.

The BLS predicts very good job opportunities for auto mechanics with formal training and ASE certification.