Automotive engineering technicians test, troubleshoot, and maintain the systems that make vehicles run. You work hands-on with computers and equipment, solve mechanical problems, and support engineers. An associate degree gets you started in this in-demand field.
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You test automotive systems and components, document your findings, and communicate results to engineers and supervisors. Your work involves operating diagnostic equipment and mechanized devices to identify problems and verify solutions. You read technical specifications, apply math and physics to troubleshoot issues, and make decisions about repairs or adjustments. You gather information from multiple sources, stay current with new technologies, and work collaboratively to improve vehicle performance and safety. This role bridges the gap between engineering design and real-world vehicle operation.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Automotive Engineering Technicians earn a median of $74,510 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is modest. Employment is projected to grow 0 percent from 2024 to 2034, little or no change for all occupations, with about 3,200 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Start with an associate degree in automotive technology or a related engineering field. Your coursework covers engineering principles, mechanical systems, computers and electronics, and mathematics. During your studies, you build hands-on skills in diagnostics and equipment operation while developing the reading comprehension and critical thinking you need on the job. Look for programs that include lab work and real-world projects. After completing your degree, you are ready to enter the field and continue learning on the job.
Most paths to this career start with an associate degree, though your specific focus and timeline matter. Use Pathly can map the automotive engineering technician path that fits you to map out your education options and next steps, and keep your counselor involved as you plan.
You do not need a license to work as an automotive engineering technician, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You are hands-on and practical, drawn to understanding how things work. You like solving concrete problems with tools and technology, and you think systematically about mechanical systems.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).