Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Portland Community College

Portland, OR · Public · Associate Degree

with a mid-sized student body of 18,365 in Portland, OR.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $48,144 at Portland Community College come in 25% above the national median of $38,662 for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs.

The 66.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 14% task exposure — and the 27% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates.

With first-year pay of $48,144 far exceeding the $12,666 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #84 out of 409 programs, Portland Community College's Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $48,144 to $64,976 shows 35% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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.

70 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
67
Low End
70
Score
71
High End
Earnings $48,144/yr (25% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$690K
7.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
68.5x
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)
$10,080
Out-of-state: $20,160
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,666
3.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$64,976
35% 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

Other Majors at Portland Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 70/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Portland Community College?
This program scores 70/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
How safe is Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies from automation?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Our model rates it "AI-Proof" overall.
How affordable is Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Portland Community College?
At $12,666 in median debt, Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates from Portland Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
What makes Portland Community College's Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies program stand out?
The #84 ranking out of 409 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this 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?
With approximately 214,000 annual openings across mapped careers, Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →