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Vehicle Repair Technology at Forsyth Technical Community College

Winston-Salem, NC · Public · Certificate · Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies

serving 6,939 students in Winston-Salem, NC.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $31,633/yr fall 18% below the $38,662 national median for Vehicle Repair Technology. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 146.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

With only 14% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 0%. Career paths for Vehicle Repair Technology are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

At $10,540 in median debt against $31,633 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #98 out of 409 programs, Forsyth Technical Community College's Vehicle Repair Technology program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

With 64 registered apprenticeships mapped to Vehicle Repair Technology, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

69 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
68
Low End
69
Score
69
High End
Earnings $31,633/yr (-18% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$331K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
146.7x
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)
$2,256
Out-of-state: $6,864
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,540
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Vehicle Repair Technology 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 →

Vehicle Repair Technology Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Vehicle Repair Technology careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering skilled trades.

Read the full Vehicle Repair Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Vehicle Repair Technology Overview

View all 409 schools offering Vehicle Repair Technology →

Vehicle Repair Technology at Other Schools

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach ($76,663) Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide ($76,663) Ferris State University ($68,791) West Los Angeles College ($65,978) Alexandria Technical & Community College ($65,311) San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia ($64,326) San Joaquin Valley College-Trades Education Center ($64,326) Minneapolis Community and Technical College ($59,441)

Other Majors at Forsyth Technical Community College

Nursing ($68,379) Dental Assisting ($56,717) Allied Health Professions ($54,726) Practical Nursing ($48,466) Criminal Justice ($48,388) Business Administration ($39,760) Computer Science ($38,837) Medical Assisting ($35,937)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Vehicle Repair Technology degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Vehicle Repair Technology at Forsyth Technical Community College?
A score of 69/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Vehicle Repair Technology field.
How safe is Vehicle Repair Technology from automation?
Highly resilient. Vehicle Repair Technology careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Forsyth Technical Community College graduates retain 19 of 19 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Why does Forsyth Technical Community College rank so high for Vehicle Repair Technology?
The #98 ranking out of 409 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Why are Vehicle Repair Technology earnings lower at Forsyth Technical Community College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Forsyth Technical Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Vehicle Repair Technology program at Forsyth Technical Community College?
If Forsyth Technical Community College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 64 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Vehicle Repair Technology. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
How many job openings are there for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates?
The very large job market (214,000 annual openings) works in favor of Vehicle Repair Technology graduates. The national outlook is driven by infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →