Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Northwest Kansas Technical College

Goodland, KS · Public · Associate Degree

a smaller institution with 314 students in Goodland, KS.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $41,638/yr, edging above the $38,662 national average for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

With only 14% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 8%. Career paths for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

At #211 out of 409 programs, Northwest Kansas Technical College's financial outcomes for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $41,638 to $46,392 over five years (11% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

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.

60 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
58
Low End
60
Score
60
High End
Earnings $41,638/yr (8% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$472K
2.7% 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)
$46,392
11% 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

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Northwest Kansas Technical College?
At 60/100, the score looks reasonable — but Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
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.
Are there apprenticeship options for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies?
Yes — 64 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies career paths, including Aerospace Propulsion Jet Engine Mech (Military Only). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
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 →