Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Des Moines Area Community College
enrolling 10,406 students in Ankeny, IA.
Program Analysis
Des Moines Area Community College Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates command $52,325/yr out of the gate, well above the $38,662 national median. That 35% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.
With a 55.8x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 13% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $8,770 in median debt clears fast against $52,325 in annual earnings.
Des Moines Area Community College ranks #89 among 409 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
The limited growth from $52,325 to $61,327 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.
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 →
Compare & Explore
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies Overview
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