Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Western Dakota Technical College
a compact campus enrolling 733 students in Rapid City, SD.
Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $38,031 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.
With a 37.7x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
Career paths for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies carry above-average AI exposure (14% of tasks). The 37% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.
At $12,483 in median debt against $38,031 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.
A #238 ranking among 409 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs places Western Dakota Technical College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
The $38,031-to-$57,387 earnings arc over five years reflects a 51% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.
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.
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 →
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Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies Overview
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