Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Santa Ana College

Santa Ana, CA · Public · Certificate

serving a student body of 22,011 in Santa Ana, CA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $36,380 track close to the $38,662 national median for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 413.2x 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 24% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates.

A #31 ranking out of 409 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs nationally puts Santa Ana College in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $36,380 to $47,602 shows 31% 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.

74 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
72
Low End
74
Score
74
High End
Earnings $36,380/yr (-6% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$502K
7.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
425.0x
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)
$1,180
Out-of-state: $9,460
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,602
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

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Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 74/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Santa Ana College?
At 74/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Will AI replace Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies jobs?
Highly resilient. Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Graduates retain 19 of 19 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Can I learn Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 64 registered apprenticeships connected to Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Is there demand for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies workers?
The career paths mapped to Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies have roughly 214,000 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →