Vehicle Repair Technology at Western Iowa Tech Community College

Sioux City, IA · Public · Certificate · Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies

a compact campus enrolling 2,589 students in Sioux City, IA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $35,550 track close to the $38,662 national median for Vehicle Repair Technology programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 98.8x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 28% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Vehicle Repair Technology career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $5,500 in median debt against $35,550 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Western Iowa Tech Community College ranks #91 among 409 Vehicle Repair Technology programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 36% earnings increase from $35,550 to $48,346 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

The 64 apprenticeship pathways connected to Vehicle Repair Technology reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

69 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
65
Low End
69
Score
69
High End
Earnings $35,550/yr (-8% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (214,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$515K
8.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
102.1x
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)
$5,042
Out-of-state: $5,186
Median Debt at Graduation
$5,500
1.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,346
36% 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

What can you do with a Vehicle Repair Technology credential from Western Iowa Tech Community College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Vehicle Repair Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Vehicle Repair Technology Overview

Vehicle Repair Technology at Other Schools

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Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 69/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Vehicle Repair Technology at Western Iowa Tech Community College?
A score of 69/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Vehicle Repair Technology field.
Is Vehicle Repair Technology from Western Iowa Tech Community College a future-proof career choice?
For Western Iowa Tech Community College 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.
What's the typical debt for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates from Western Iowa Tech Community College?
Median debt of just $5,500 against $35,550/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Why does Western Iowa Tech Community College rank so high for Vehicle Repair Technology?
Ranked #91 of 409 programs nationally, Western Iowa Tech Community College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Vehicle Repair Technology graduates?
The DOL recognizes 64 apprenticeship pathways related to Vehicle Repair Technology. For students weighing Western Iowa Tech Community College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Will Vehicle Repair Technology graduates from Western Iowa Tech Community College find jobs?
At 214,000 annual openings, Vehicle Repair Technology has a very large employment base. Western Iowa Tech Community College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →