Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Clark College

Vancouver, WA · Public · Associate Degree

a smaller institution with 4,699 students in Vancouver, WA.

Program Analysis

Clark College's Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates start at $45,656/yr — above the $38,662 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 66.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies's career paths, with 14% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 24% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,625 in median debt clears fast against $45,656 in annual earnings.

At #102 of 409 nationally, this is a top-5% Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $45,656 to $59,905 over five years — a 31% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies offers 64 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

69 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
66
Low End
69
Score
70
High End
Earnings $45,656/yr (18% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$632K
7.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
68.2x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
19 of 19
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$9,264
Out-of-state: $20,760
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,625
2.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,905
31% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipment $82,730 +6.1% 76%
Avionics technicians $81,390 +8.2% 76%
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians $79,830 +8.1% 68%
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipment
$82,730
+6.1% growth 76% AI-proof
Avionics technicians
$81,390
+8.2% growth 76% AI-proof
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians
$79,830
+8.1% growth 68% AI-proof

View all 19 career paths with full salary data →

About Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies Careers

Your career starts on the shop floor, grabbing a diagnostic scanner to pinpoint engine trouble or getting your hands dirty with a wrench during a brake job. As an automotive service technician, your day involves solving complex mechanical and electrical puzzles in a busy garage to get cars safely back on the road. You could also specialize in heavy-duty vehicles, working on the powerful diesel engines that keep our country’s trucks and buses running.

Read the full Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies career guide →

Compare & Explore

Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies Overview

Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Other Schools

Other Majors at Clark College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 69/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Clark College?
At 69/100, Clark College's Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
How AI-proof is a career in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies?
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 14% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.
How affordable is Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Clark College?
Median debt of just $9,625 against $45,656/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
What makes Clark College's Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies program stand out?
Among 409 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs, Clark College's #102 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Are there apprenticeship options for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies?
Yes — 64 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies career paths, including Aerospace Propulsion Jet Engine Mech (Military Only). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
How many job openings are there for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates?
With approximately 214,000 annual openings across mapped careers, Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →