Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens

Athens, TN · Public · Certificate

a compact campus enrolling 365 students in Athens, TN.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $32,320/yr fall 16% below the $38,662 national median for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 17% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #340 ranking among 409 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs places Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 21% earnings increase from $32,320 to $39,188 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

The 64 apprenticeship pathways connected to Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

54 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
52
Low End
54
Score
55
High End
Earnings $32,320/yr (-16% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$405K
4.9% annual growth
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.

Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,188
21% 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 54/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens?
A score of 54/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens trails the majority of Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How AI-proof is a career in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies?
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 you still earn well with Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies from Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens?
Starting salary is one data point. If Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies?
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies connects to 64 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
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 →