Auto Mechanic Training Cost
Last Updated on May 25, 2022 | Written by CPA Alec Pow
First Published on November 6, 2020 | Content Reviewed by 
CFA Alexander Popivker
How Much Does Auto Mechanic Training Cost?
- Online Training will cost $750 to $1,000.
- Certificate Program will cost $5,000 to $20,000.
- Associate’s Degree in Vehicle Mechanics will cost $10,000 to $25,000.
Auto mechanics are trained to check, keep, and fix different kinds of vehicles that work on fuel, electrical power, or alternative fuels. Diesel mechanics get specialized training courses and generally register in different training programs. Auto mechanic training might start at professional high schools, continuing into a college-level certificate or associate’s degree programs, according to the Bureau of Labor Data.
Common expenses:
Online auto mechanic training programs can cost anywhere between $750 and $1,000. For instance, the Stratford Career Institute has an auto mechanics correspondence course priced at $750. The course can be finished in 6 months to 2 years and the price will include all books, research guides, online tests, access to trainers by e-mail or phone, and a toolkit. Ashworth College provides a comparable online program for $675.
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An auto mechanic certificate program will cost somewhere between $5,000 and $20,000 and will take 6 months to 2 years to finish. For instance, Grand Rapids Community College in Michigan provides an 18-week certificate program for $5,002 for county residents and $5,478 for non-residents for tuition and costs. Arapahoe Neighborhood College in Littleton, CO, provides a certificate program from $5,040 for residents or $19,821 for non-residents over 3 terms.
An associate’s degree in auto mechanics costs $10,000-$ 25,000 and takes 2 years to finish. Madison Area Technical College in Wisconsin provides a two-year associate’s degree program for $20,150 for tuition and all fees. Dakota County Technical College’s associate’s degree program costs $13,251 for tuition and all the fees.
Voluntary accreditation through the National Institute for Automobile Service Excellence costs $30 to $60 per test, plus a $36 registration charge. Examples of accreditations will include those for automobiles/light trucks, accident and refinishing, service consulting, and auto parts.
Licensing requirements for auto mechanics differ by state. Michigan will require all auto mechanics to take a test for each licensing area needed, for an overall fee of $6 for each test and $25 overall application charge. In Florida, mechanics in Broward County are required to pay a $50 licensing cost each year to practice. No examination is needed, however, candidates are asked to show relevant nationwide accreditations.
What must be included in the price
Online certificate programs typically consist of a set of tools and research guides to be completed in a trainee’s remote area. In-person courses must include class instruction in addition to hands-on equipment and tool training.
For a certificate program, the Education Portal website notes typical coursework as engine parts, electrical systems, transmission systems, and automobile diagnosis, repair work, and upkeep. Associate’s degree programs consist of classes in English, fundamental mathematics, computer systems, and business classes in addition to auto mechanics coursework.
Extra expenses to think about
Books, tools, and other charges can add $1,000 to $3,000 to the overall program expense for a certificate or degree program. The College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, IL, approximates additional expenses as $585 in laboratory costs, $400-$1,400 for tools, and $1650 for needed books.
Room and board can add $5,000-$10,000 to a trainee’s yearly expense. For example, Vincennes University in Indiana provides school meals and accommodation plans from $7,600-$10,700 each year. Pinnacle Technical School in New York City approximates $8,280 annually in off-campus space, board, and other living expenditures.
Discount rates
National market associations like the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association and local groups like the Minnesota Alliance of Auto Service Providers award scholarships of $1,000 or more to qualified students. College Scholarship has a list of a range of automobile technology awards.
Looking for auto mechanic training
The National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation provides a searchable database of recognized programs in vehicle mechanics, the majority of which are provided in-person instead of online.
The National Institute for Auto Service Excellence provides a complimentary practice test for people looking for accreditation.
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