Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Northland Community and Technical College
a smaller institution with 1,382 students in Thief River Falls, MN.
Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $43,254 at Northland Community and Technical College come in 12% above the national median of $38,662 for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs.
The 85.0x 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.
AI risk is moderate — 14% task exposure — and the 17% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates.
With first-year pay of $43,254 far exceeding the $11,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
Ranked #66 out of 409 programs, Northland Community and Technical College's Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $43,254 to $52,470 shows 21% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.
With 64 registered apprenticeships mapped to Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
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
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Explore the Degree Alternative
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