South Carolina Community Colleges
Automotive Technology Programs
Automotive technology programs at community colleges in this state. ASE-aligned coursework for technicians and service writers.
6 colleges · 60 sections · 23 unique courses · Summer 2026 · Updated today
Auto-tech programs at South 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 60 sections at 6 SCTCS colleges this term combine shop hours on real vehicles with theory in engines, transmissions, brakes, electronics, HVAC, and (increasingly) electric and hybrid drivetrains.
Most South 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
| College | Sections | Courses | Online | Awards/yr | 5-yr earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville Technical College | 21 | 9 | — | 127 | $57,694 |
| Midlands Technical College | 15 | 12 | — | 58 | — |
| Tri-County Technical College | 11 | 3 | — | 79 | — |
| Piedmont Technical College | 6 | 3 | — | 62 | — |
| Florence-Darlington Technical College | 4 | 4 | — | 50 | — |
| Horry-Georgetown Technical College | 3 | 3 | — | 53 | — |
Automotive Technology Availability Snapshot
How automotive technology sections are being offered across 6 colleges in South Carolina this term (60 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person54 (90%)
- hybrid6 (10%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)50
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)10
Start dates
Sections begin on 5 distinct dates. 14 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 15 distinct instructors across 6 colleges.
Degree requirements by college
Expand a college to see the courses required for graduation. Data sourced from each college's official catalog.
Central Carolina Technical College2 programs
Spartanburg Community College2 programs
Trident Technical College2 programs
York Technical College2 programs
Common Automotive Technology courses
- AUT 241Automotive Air Conditioning(9 sections)
- AUT 116Manual Trans & Axle(7 sections)
- AUT 149Ignition & Fuel Systems(6 sections)
- AUT 156Automotive Diagnosis & Repair(5 sections)
- AUT 275Alternate Technology Vehicles(5 sections)
- AUT 112Braking Systems(3 sections)
- AUT 141Intro to Heating & Air Cond(3 sections)
- AUT 145Engine Performance(3 sections)
- AUT 221Suspension & Steer Diag(2 sections)
- AUT 222Four Wheel Alignment(2 sections)
- AUT 231Automotive Electronics(2 sections)
- AUT 262Adv Auto Diagnosis & Rep(2 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 South Carolina’s typical pay to the national picture before choosing where to study.
South Carolina's typical pay is about 6% 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 South 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 South 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 South 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 South 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 South Carolina’s automotive technology programs stack up.
Other programs in South Carolina
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.