Skip to main content
True Trade Path

Apprenticeship

Automotive Technician Apprenticeships

What an automotive technician apprenticeship pays, how long it runs, what the application requires, and what the licence at the end lets you do.

Length
2–4 years to reach full diagnostic capability
Tuition
None
Journeyman median
$47,770/yr

Automotive service technicians diagnose and repair vehicles that have become rolling computer networks. The work has shifted decisively from mechanical repair toward electrical and network diagnosis, and EV and ADAS work is the fastest-growing specialization. Most technicians progress through ASE certification, and many dealership positions require manufacturer-specific training.

Year one pay
$21,497
About 45% of journeyman scale
Journeyman median
$47,770
$22.97 per hour
Tuition debt
$0
You are paid to train

What you earn at each step

Apprentice wages are set as a percentage of journeyman scale and step up on a published schedule as you accumulate hours and classroom credits. The figures below apply the typical step schedule to the national median — your local’s wage sheet is the authoritative number.

StepShare of scaleApproximate hourlyApproximate annual
Year 145%$10.34$21,497
Year 255%$12.63$26,274
Year 368%$15.62$32,484
Year 482%$18.84$39,171
Journeyman100%$22.97$47,770

What the application requires

Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Training route
6–24 month automotive program, then manufacturer training
Age
18 or over. Registered programmes cannot set a maximum age.
Mathematics
One year of high school algebra with a passing grade. This is the most common reason applications stall, and one semester at a community college clears it.
Aptitude test
Most programmes test algebra and reading comprehension, with some mechanical and spatial reasoning. Free practice material is widely available; preparing genuinely moves your ranking.
Physical
Standing on concrete all day, working overhead under lifts, and handling heavy components. Hands and shoulders take the most wear.
Licensing outcome
No general license. ASE certification is the industry standard, and EPA 609 is required for A/C work.

Where to find programmes

Search the U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Finder at apprenticeship.gov, then contact the union local, the ABC or IEC chapter, and licensed contractors in your area directly. Apply to all three routes in the same cycle — they have different intake calendars and different selection criteria.

Where it leads

After licensing, pay diverges by specialization far more than by years served. These are the paths most automotive technicians choose between.

  • Drivability and diagnostics
  • Electric and hybrid vehicles
  • ADAS calibration
  • Transmission specialist
  • Diesel light truck
  • Collision and structural repair
  • Performance and fabrication
  • Fleet maintenance

Common questions

How much do automotive technician apprentices make?
Apprentices typically start near 45 percent of journeyman scale and step up on a published schedule. Against a national journeyman median of $47,770, that is roughly $21,497 in year one, rising to around $39,171 by the final year. Local scale varies substantially.
How long is an automotive technician apprenticeship?
2–4 years to reach full diagnostic capability. The hours, not the calendar, are what qualify you to sit the licence exam, so working consistently matters more than time elapsed.
What do I need to apply?
Postsecondary nondegree award is the baseline, plus being 18 or over, a valid driver's licence, reliable transportation, and one year of high school algebra with a passing grade. Most programmes also require passing an aptitude test, an interview, and a drug screen.
What licence does this lead to?
No general license. ASE certification is the industry standard, and EPA 609 is required for A/C work.

Licensing authority by state

Apprenticeship hours are portable, but licensing is not. Confirm the requirements with the board in the state where you intend to work before you start accumulating hours somewhere else.

  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • District of Columbia
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • Wisconsin