Vehicle Repair Technology at Chemeketa Community College

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

serving 6,457 students in Salem, OR.

Program Analysis

At $35,827/yr, Vehicle Repair Technology graduates from Chemeketa Community College land near the $38,662 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 44.8x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Vehicle Repair Technology carry above-average AI exposure (14% of tasks). The 35% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

A #215 ranking among 409 Vehicle Repair Technology programs places Chemeketa Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 48% earnings increase from $35,827 to $53,145 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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

60 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
56
Low End
60
Score
60
High End
Earnings $35,827/yr (-7% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$581K
10.4% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
46.8x
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)
$12,420
Out-of-state: $27,810
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,145
48% 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

Vehicle Repair Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Chemeketa Community College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Vehicle Repair Technology at Chemeketa Community College?
This program scores 60/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Vehicle Repair Technology programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Vehicle Repair Technology jobs?
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.
Can I learn Vehicle Repair Technology through an apprenticeship instead of Chemeketa Community College?
The DOL recognizes 64 apprenticeship pathways related to Vehicle Repair Technology. For students weighing Chemeketa Community College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
How many job openings are there for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates?
With approximately 214,000 annual openings across mapped careers, Vehicle Repair Technology offers a very large employment pool. Chemeketa 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 →