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Vehicle Repair Technology at Portland Community College

Portland, OR · Public · Associate Degree · Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies

with a mid-sized student body of 18,365 in Portland, OR.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $48,144 at Portland Community College come in 25% above the national median of $38,662 for Vehicle Repair Technology programs.

The 66.3x 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 27% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates.

With first-year pay of $48,144 far exceeding the $12,666 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #84 out of 409 programs, Portland Community College's Vehicle Repair Technology program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $48,144 to $64,976 shows 35% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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

70 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
67
Low End
70
Score
71
High End
Earnings $48,144/yr (25% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$690K
7.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
68.5x
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)
$10,080
Out-of-state: $20,160
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,666
3.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$64,976
35% growth from Year 1

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

Explore what Vehicle Repair Technology graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 409 programs nationwide.

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 Portland Community College

Industrial Production Technology ($78,450) Nursing ($78,033) Allied Health Professions ($72,204) Biomedical Engineering ($63,642) Construction Management Technology ($63,103) Dental Assisting ($58,410) Drafting & Design Technology ($54,198) Health Administration ($46,532)

Explore the Degree Alternative

Compare Vehicle Repair Technology degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 70/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Vehicle Repair Technology at Portland Community College?
This program scores 70/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Vehicle Repair Technology nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
How safe is Vehicle Repair Technology from automation?
AI resilience is a strength here. Only 14% of Vehicle Repair Technology tasks overlap with AI capabilities, and 19 of 19 career paths remain viable even in our most conservative scenario.
How affordable is Vehicle Repair Technology at Portland Community College?
At $12,666 in median debt, Vehicle Repair Technology graduates from Portland Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
What makes Portland Community College's Vehicle Repair Technology program stand out?
The #84 ranking out of 409 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates?
Beyond Portland Community College's classroom route, 64 registered apprenticeships map to Vehicle Repair Technology careers — including Aerospace Propulsion Jet Engine Mech (Military Only). Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
What's the job market like for Vehicle Repair Technology from Portland Community College?
With approximately 214,000 annual openings across mapped careers, Vehicle Repair Technology offers a very large employment pool. Portland Community College graduates enter a market shaped by infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →