Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Southeast Technical College
a smaller institution with 2,164 students in Sioux Falls, SD.
Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $46,262 at Southeast Technical College come in 20% above the national median of $38,662 for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs.
With a 36.0x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 14% 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.
With first-year pay of $46,262 far exceeding the $12,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
A #186 ranking among 409 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs places Southeast Technical College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.
The limited growth from $46,262 to $54,505 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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Explore the Degree Alternative
Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.