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Engineering

Automotive Engineering Technicians

Assist engineers in determining the practicality of proposed product design changes and plan and carry out tests on experimental test devices or equipment for performance, durability, or efficiency.

Median salary (BLS)

$74,510

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$48k – $106k

Job outlook

No separate BLS projection for this specific role

AI exposure

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports one wage for this occupational group, which covers 2 related roles — so read the median as an approximate group figure, and the range as the truer picture for this specific title. BLS source.

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $99,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Automotive Engineering Technicians

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: Associate degree

Plan my path to this →

How to qualify

Estimate

Cost to qualify

$8,175–$22,500

Time to qualify

2.2 yr

Renewal

—

  1. 1

    Associate degree (community college)

    Degree

    Two years at in-district rates — average published tuition & fees ≈ $4,050/yr, plus ~$1,200/yr books & supplies.

    $8,000–$22,000 · 2 years source

  2. 2

    FE exam (optional — PE track)

    Certification

    The Fundamentals of Engineering exam is the first step toward a PE license; many engineering roles never need it.

    $175–$500 · 2 months source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Automotive Engineering Technicians" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Automotive Engineering Technicians

    Entry / Junior

    $48,400

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Automotive Engineering Technicians

    Established

    $74,510

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Automotive Engineering Technicians

    Senior

    $90,280

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Document test results, using cameras, spreadsheets, documents, or other tools.
  • •Set up mechanical, hydraulic, or electric test equipment in accordance with engineering specifications, standards, or test procedures.
  • •Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, work specifications, drawings, or charts.
  • •Inspect or test parts to determine nature or cause of defects or malfunctions.
  • •Monitor computer-controlled test equipment, according to written or verbal instructions.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Engineering

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.