Alabama Community Colleges
Automotive Technology Programs
Automotive technology programs at community colleges in this state. ASE-aligned coursework for technicians and service writers.
8 colleges · 50 sections · 19 unique courses · Fall 2026
Auto-tech programs at Alabama community colleges prepare students for ASE-certified service technician careers at dealerships, independent repair shops, fleet operations, and specialty performance/heavy-equipment facilities. The 50 sections at 8 ACCS colleges this term combine shop hours on real vehicles with theory in engines, transmissions, brakes, electronics, HVAC, and (increasingly) electric and hybrid drivetrains.
Most Alabama programs are NATEF-accredited and aligned to ASE testing — graduates can sit for individual ASE exams (A1 engine repair, A4 suspension/steering, etc.) and stack credentials over their career. The diploma or AAS gets students into the shop; the ASE certifications and dealer-specific training (Ford ASSET, GM ASEP, Honda PACT) are what determine long-term pay.
Earnings & outcomes for Automotive Technology graduates
Federal College Scorecard data on what graduates of this program actually earn after completion. Where a school’s cohort is too small to publish, we show the national benchmark for the same field of study.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, per-program (4-digit CIP) data. CIP 4706 — Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians. School cohorts are suppressed by the federal source when fewer than ~30 completers in the reporting cohort.
Colleges offering Automotive Technology
| College | Sections | Courses | Online | Awards/yr | 5-yr earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Shoals Community College | 16 | 7 | — | 22 | — |
| Jefferson State Community College | 12 | 4 | — | — | — |
| H Councill Trenholm State Community College | 6 | 6 | 1 | 23 | — |
| Lawson State Community College | 6 | 4 | 1 | 55 | $40,432 |
| Bishop State Community College | 4 | 2 | — | 14 | — |
| Shelton State Community College | 4 | 3 | 2 | 116 | $67,520 |
| Central Alabama Community College | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
| Chattahoochee Valley Community College | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
Automotive Technology Availability Snapshot
How automotive technology sections are being offered across 8 colleges in Alabama this term (50 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person44 (88%)
- online4 (8%)
- hybrid2 (4%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)20
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)13
- Evening (5 PM and after)8
- Asynchronous / TBA9
Start dates
Sections begin on 5 distinct dates. 1 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 23 distinct instructors across 8 colleges.
Common Automotive Technology courses
- AUT 186Principles of Industrial Welding & Metal Cutting Techniques(8 sections)
- AUT 102Lean Manufacturing and Industrial Safety(7 sections)
- AUT 104Blueprint Reading for Manufac(6 sections)
- AUT 114Intro to Program Logic Control(3 sections)
- AUT 178Gas Tungsten ARC Welding(3 sections)
- AUT 180Gas Tungsten ARC Lab(3 sections)
- AUT 286SMAW Fillet/OFC(3 sections)
- AUT 287SMAW Fillet/OFC Lab(3 sections)
- AUT 116INTRO TO ROBOTICS(2 sections)
- AUT 130Fundamentals of Industrial Hydraulics and Pneumatics(2 sections)
- AUT 251INTRO TO SERVO CONTR(2 sections)
- AUT 100INTRO TO AUTOMOTIVE CONCEPTS(1 section)
Career outlook for Automotive Technology graduates
Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for the primary career outcome of this program (2024 OEWS release). Compare Alabama’s typical pay to the national picture before choosing where to study.
Alabama's typical pay is about 7% below the typical state — common for lower cost-of-living states, but worth weighing against tuition savings.
Wage data reflects all workers in the occupation, not just recent CC graduates — entry-level pay is typically lower. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.
Frequently asked questions
- Will I need to buy my own tools?
- Eventually yes. Most Alabama programs supply the shop tools you'll use during training, but ASE-certified service technicians at dealerships and independents are expected to bring their own. Tool collections build over a career; budget $3-8k in the first year of full-time employment, much more over time. Some shops offer tool-purchase assistance for new hires.
- What's the pay range for an auto tech?
- Starting techs (apprentices, lube-rack roles) earn $15-20/hr at most Alabama shops. Master-certified techs with multiple ASE credentials at busy dealerships earn $25-45/hr, often on a flat-rate (book-time) system that rewards faster, more efficient work. Diesel and specialty techs (BMW, Mercedes, performance shops) earn the upper end. Independent-shop ownership is the long-tail career path.
- Are EV-specific training and certifications part of the program?
- Increasingly yes. Most Alabama community college auto-tech programs have added high-voltage safety training and intro EV-drivetrain content in the last few years; some offer dedicated EV-tech credentials. The dealer-specific programs (Ford ASSET-EV, GM ASEP-EV) cover brand-specific procedures and are the strongest credential for EV-focused careers.
- Do I need an associate degree or just the diploma?
- For getting hired as a tech, the one-year diploma plus ASE certs is enough at most Alabama shops. The AAS adds business courses, management, and writing — useful if you eventually want to run your own shop or move into service-advisor / shop-foreman roles. Many techs come back for the AAS after a few years in the field.
Compare Automotive Technology programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how Alabama’s automotive technology programs stack up.
Other programs in Alabama
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.