North Carolina Community Colleges
Automotive Technology Programs
Automotive technology programs at community colleges in this state. ASE-aligned coursework for technicians and service writers.
42 colleges · 566 sections · 33 unique courses · Spring 2026
Auto-tech programs at North Carolina community colleges prepare students for ASE-certified service technician careers at dealerships, independent repair shops, fleet operations, and specialty performance/heavy-equipment facilities. The 566 sections at 42 NCCCS colleges this term combine shop hours on real vehicles with theory in engines, transmissions, brakes, electronics, HVAC, and (increasingly) electric and hybrid drivetrains.
Most North Carolina 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
Automotive Technology Availability Snapshot
How automotive technology sections are being offered across 42 colleges in North Carolina this term (566 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person555 (98%)
- hybrid9 (2%)
- online2 (0%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)296
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)179
- Evening (5 PM and after)65
- Asynchronous / TBA26
Start dates
Sections begin on 36 distinct dates. 128 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 188 distinct instructors across 42 colleges.
Common Automotive Technology courses
- AUT 141Suspension & Steering Sys(71 sections)
- AUT 151Brake Systems(61 sections)
- AUT 141ASuspension & Steering Lab(50 sections)
- AUT 151ABrakes Systems Lab(40 sections)
- AUT 181Engine Performance 1(36 sections)
- AUT 221Auto Transm/Transaxles(33 sections)
- AUT 116Engine Repair(24 sections)
- AUT 231Man Trans/Axles/Drtrains(23 sections)
- AUT 163Adv Auto Electricity(22 sections)
- AUT 183Engine Performance 2(21 sections)
- AUT 181AEngine Performance 1 Lab(20 sections)
- AUT 281Adv Engine Performance(19 sections)
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 North Carolina’s typical pay to the national picture before choosing where to study.
North Carolina's typical pay for this occupation is roughly in line with the national picture.
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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina’s automotive technology programs stack up.
Other programs in North Carolina
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.