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Automotive Technology Schools in Michigan
26 schools in Michigan offer automotive technology-related programs, compared below on official cost, completion, and earnings data. Prefer to earn while you learn? 20 registered apprenticeship programs in Michigan train automotive technology apprentices — see apprenticeships. Federal program data groups automotive technology with diesel mechanics and aviation maintenance — schools below may offer any of these.
Occupation pay is what working automotive technology professionals in Michigan earn (all experience levels) — school "earnings" figures above are medians for each school's recent federally-aided students across all its programs, which read lower.
Automotive Technology licensing in Michigan: State license required
Michigan is one of the few states that actually licenses auto mechanics: under the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act (PA 300 of 1974), anyone repairing vehicles for compensation must be certified by the Michigan Department of State in each category of repair they perform. Certification is exam-based — $18 per category test plus a $25 application — with no schooling requirement, and ASE-certified techs can transfer their credentials instead of retesting. Newcomers can work up to 2 years under a certified mechanic on a $20 Mechanic Trainee Permit before certifying; three categories (engine performance, electrical, brakes) require 5-year renewal.
Official source: Michigan Department of State, Business Licensing Section · Exam: State mechanic exam for each repair category, offered electronically at Secretary of State offices ($18 per test as of July 1, 2026, under Public Act 59 of 2025); passing ASE exams in equivalent categories can be transferred in lieu of the state tests. · Typical requirement: No classroom hours mandated — certification is exam-based ($25 application after passing). A Mechanic Trainee Permit ($20, valid 2 years, nonrenewable) lets you work under a certified mechanic while you prepare. Engine tune-up/performance, electrical, and brakes categories require recertification every 5 years.
Official license records related to automotive technology in Michigan
From the U.S. Department of Labor's License Finder — these may include contractor, specialty, or related licenses beyond entry-level requirements:
- Fire Service Instructor — Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs~Bureau of Fire Services
- Social Service Technician (S.S.T) — Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs~Bureau of Professional Licensing
- Motor Fuels Service Person — Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
- Nursing Home Administrator — Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs~Bureau of Community and Health Systems
- Casino Employees Level 1 — Michigan Gaming Control Board
- Securities Agent — Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs~Bureau of Corporations, Securities & Commercial
Wage and license data provided by CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA) and Minnesota DEED.
Schools, ranked by earnings per tuition dollar
| School | City | Type | Net price / yr | Completion | Earnings (10 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henry Ford College | Dearborn | public | $660 | 22.4% | $34,795 |
| Macomb Community College | Warren | public | $1,618 | 16.6% | $41,596 |
| Kalamazoo Valley Community College | Kalamazoo | public | $2,979 | 21.5% | $38,618 |
| Washtenaw Community College | Ann Arbor | public | $3,249 | 31.1% | $39,449 |
| Alpena Community College | Alpena | public | $3,320 | 50.4% | $36,442 |
| Muskegon Community College | Muskegon | public | $4,005 | 20.9% | $36,549 |
| Monroe County Community College | Monroe | public | $4,586 | 23.6% | $41,646 |
| Delta College | University Center | public | $4,547 | 23.8% | $37,781 |
| Gogebic Community College | Ironwood | public | $5,397 | 34.7% | $40,950 |
| Lansing Community College | Lansing | public | $5,437 | 19.2% | $39,206 |
| Oakland Community College | Auburn Hills | public | $5,777 | 31.6% | $37,395 |
| Southwestern Michigan College | Dowagiac | public | $5,978 | 30.4% | $37,303 |
| Northwestern Michigan College | Traverse City | public | $6,231 | 32% | $38,167 |
| Mott Community College | Flint | public | $5,687 | 21.3% | $32,538 |
| Montcalm Community College | Sidney | public | $7,280 | 34.7% | $35,499 |
| Kirtland Community College | Grayling | public | $7,456 | 23% | $35,831 |
| Jackson College | Jackson | public | $7,761 | 19.5% | $36,898 |
| Mid Michigan College | Harrison | public | $8,370 | 22.9% | $37,319 |
| Grand Rapids Community College | Grand Rapids | public | $8,621 | 23.8% | $38,377 |
| Glen Oaks Community College | Centreville | public | $8,918 | 28.8% | $37,540 |
| Wayne County Community College District | Detroit | public | $7,656 | 19.7% | $29,079 |
| Bay de Noc Community College | Escanaba | public | $11,949 | 36.5% | $35,090 |
| Universal Technical Institute-Canton | Canton | private for-profit | $22,985 | 65.8% | $62,575 |
| Michigan Career and Technical Institute | Plainwell | public | not reported | 43.9% | $29,376 |
| School of Missionary Aviation Technology | Ionia | private nonprofit | $17,511 | 95.1% | not reported |
| Marine Trades Institute | Cedarville | private nonprofit | $25,522 | not reported | not reported |
Ranking = median earnings 10 years after entry per $1,000 of average yearly net price (methodology). Figures are institution-wide federal medians for each school as a whole — not automotive technology graduates specifically. Schools without both figures sort last — "not reported" means the federal dataset lacks the value, not that the school is bad.
Common questions: Automotive Technology school in Michigan
- How much do Automotive Technology schools cost in Michigan?
- The median annual net price (what students actually pay after aid) across 26 automotive technology schools in Michigan is $5,978. Individual schools range widely — the table above shows each school's real cost, not sticker price.
- Do you need a license to work as a automotive technology in Michigan?
- Michigan is one of the few states that actually licenses auto mechanics: under the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act (PA 300 of 1974), anyone repairing vehicles for compensation must be certified by the Michigan Department of State in each category of repair they perform. Certification is exam-based — $18 per category test plus a $25 application — with no schooling requirement, and ASE-certified techs can transfer their credentials instead of retesting. Newcomers can work up to 2 years under a certified mechanic on a $20 Mechanic Trainee Permit before certifying; three categories (engine performance, electrical, brakes) require 5-year renewal.
- Can you get paid to train as a automotive technology in Michigan?
- Yes — Michigan has 20 registered apprenticeship programs where you earn wages while you train instead of paying tuition. See the automotive technology apprenticeships page for the current list.
- What does a automotive technology earn in Michigan?
- Working automotive technology professionals in Michigan earn a median of $54,120 per year, ranging from about $36,110 to $79,060 (U.S. Department of Labor). This is what people in the job earn, which differs from a school's reported graduate-earnings figure.
Aid deadlines for automotive technology programs in Michigan
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Automotive Technology schools in nearby states
- Automotive Technology schools in Illinois
- Automotive Technology schools in Indiana
- Automotive Technology schools in Alabama
- Automotive Technology schools in Alaska
- Automotive Technology schools in Arizona
- Automotive Technology schools in Arkansas
- Automotive Technology schools in California
- Automotive Technology schools in Colorado
- Automotive Technology schools in Connecticut
- Automotive Technology schools in Delaware
See all states & the full automotive technology guide →