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Vehicle Repair Technology at Tidewater Tech-Trades

Norfolk, VA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies

with a smaller student body of 514 in Norfolk, VA.

Program Analysis

At $30,531 per year, Vehicle Repair Technology graduates from Tidewater Tech-Trades earn below the $38,662 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 21.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Vehicle Repair Technology programs nationally.

AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios is just 8% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.

The median debt load of $14,750 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #386 of 409 Vehicle Repair Technology programs, Tidewater Tech-Trades falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $34,268 are relatively flat compared to the $30,531 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

Vehicle Repair Technology offers 64 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

50 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
48
Low End
50
Score
50
High End
Earnings $30,531/yr (-21% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$349K
2.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
21.4x
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
$16,337
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,750
5.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$34,268
12% 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

See the full career breakdown for Vehicle Repair Technology — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Tidewater Tech-Trades and 408 other schools.

Read the full Vehicle Repair Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Vehicle Repair Technology Overview

View all 409 schools offering Vehicle Repair Technology →

Vehicle Repair Technology at Other Schools

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach ($76,663) Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide ($76,663) Ferris State University ($68,791) West Los Angeles College ($65,978) Alexandria Technical & Community College ($65,311) San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia ($64,326) San Joaquin Valley College-Trades Education Center ($64,326) Minneapolis Community and Technical College ($59,441)

Other Majors at Tidewater Tech-Trades

Construction Management Technology ($35,172) Precision Metalworking ($32,269) HVAC Technology ($30,448)

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Compare Vehicle Repair Technology degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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 Tidewater Tech-Trades?
This program scores 50/100 — 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.
Is Vehicle Repair Technology from Tidewater Tech-Trades a future-proof career choice?
For Tidewater Tech-Trades graduates, AI risk is minimal. Vehicle Repair Technology rated "AI-Proof" — 86% of the work involves hands-on skills that current AI simply can't perform.
Why are Vehicle Repair Technology earnings lower at Tidewater Tech-Trades?
Lower starting pay at Tidewater Tech-Trades may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates?
If Tidewater Tech-Trades's tuition gives you pause, consider that 64 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Vehicle Repair Technology. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Is there demand for Vehicle Repair Technology workers?
Job availability for Vehicle Repair Technology is strong — 214,000 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Tidewater Tech-Trades graduates specifically, local market conditions in VA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →