Whether you want to work on manual, automatic, hybrid or hovercars, a Master Automotive Service Technician Certificate prepares you to enter—or go further in—the automotive field. Get hands-on training identical to the on-the-job experience.
The skills you develop from your courses prepare you to work on cars, trucks and more. Boost your marketability with additional certificates or a degree from CLC.
What can you do with a Master Automotive Service Technician Certificate?
The Certificate in Master Automotive Service Technician prepares you to enter the automotive field as an automotive apprentice or start other automotive service-related careers.
The Automotive Technology program is designed so you can earn stackable certificates, allowing you to specialize in one or more specific areas of automotive repair:
Earn a career certificate in 1 year or less to refine your skills into an in-demand career.
Program Length: 2 Years
Full-time students finish in 2 years.
Career Outlook
Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
Entry-Level
$33,804
Median
$49,449
Senior-Level
$83,431
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Entry-Level
$16.25
Median
$23.77
Senior-Level
$40.10
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
High school diploma or less
65.34%
Certificate
34.65%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Assist engineers in determining the practicality of proposed product design changes and plan and carry out tests on experimental test devices or equipment for performance, durability, or efficiency.
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
Entry-Level
$51,811
Median
$68,332
Senior-Level
$104,284
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Entry-Level
$24.90
Median
$32.84
Senior-Level
$50.13
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
High school diploma or less
3.7%
Certificate
14.81%
Some college
3.7%
Associate Degree
37.04%
Bachelor's Degree
29.63%
Master's Degree
11.11%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Replace or repair broken windshields and window glass in motor vehicles.
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
Entry-Level
$24,979
Median
$43,548
Senior-Level
$73,974
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Entry-Level
$12.01
Median
$20.93
Senior-Level
$35.56
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
High school diploma or less
98.62%
Certificate
1.37%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
Entry-Level
$28,448
Median
$46,830
Senior-Level
$81,166
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Entry-Level
$13.67
Median
$22.51
Senior-Level
$39.02
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
High school diploma or less
42.6%
Certificate
50.25%
Some college
5.78%
Associate Degree
1.37%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Wash or otherwise clean vehicles, machinery, and other equipment. Use such materials as water, cleaning agents, brushes, cloths, and hoses.
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
Entry-Level
$27,425
Median
$32,825
Senior-Level
$59,048
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Entry-Level
$13.18
Median
$15.77
Senior-Level
$28.38
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
High school diploma or less
77.78%
Certificate
2.27%
Some college
19.94%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Install, adjust, or maintain mobile electronics communication equipment, including sound, sonar, security, navigation, and surveillance systems on trains, watercraft, or other mobile equipment.
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
Entry-Level
$42,602
Median
$54,318
Senior-Level
$90,166
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Entry-Level
$20.48
Median
$26.11
Senior-Level
$43.35
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
High school diploma or less
28.33%
Certificate
47.69%
Associate Degree
9.63%
Bachelor's Degree
14.35%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Install, diagnose, or repair communications, sound, security, or navigation equipment in motor vehicles.
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
Entry-Level
$34,954
Median
$43,363
Senior-Level
$63,412
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Entry-Level
$16.80
Median
$20.84
Senior-Level
$30.48
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
High school diploma or less
47.17%
Certificate
47.4%
Some college
1.12%
Associate Degree
4.31%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more inclusive list of course options, see the college catalog.
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*Cost is estimated based on recommended pathway credit hours. This includes in-district tuition and other
fees, such as books and materials before financial aid is applied,
as well as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.
Automotive Technology at CLC
Get the bigger picture
This certificate is just one possible way to study Automotive Technology. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.
You earn in-demand industry credentials from this certificate, including the SP2 certification for shop and environmental safety and a 609a EPA certificate. You also earn a credential in ALLDATA, which is an automotive service repair database.
After you complete the courses in this intermediate-level program at CLC, you will be ready to advance in the automotive field with the knowledge and confidence you gained from a blend of lectures, media, demonstrations and hands-on learning.
The Master Automotive Service Technician Certificate is 55 credit hours and takes an average of four semesters to complete. Your coursework introduces you to engine repair, auto electrical, powertrain controls, heating and air conditioning, suspension and more.
During this program, you build the comprehensive skill set you need to begin a successful career in auto tech. By taking the courses in this program, you become skilled in these areas:
basic electrical service
braking systems
engine servicing
heating and air conditioning
suspension systems
You will be able to complete basic automotive services, including:
alternator, starter, and basic engine repairs
battery replacement (12-volt)
belt and hose repairs
fluid changes
oil changes
recharge A/C systems
shock, strut, tire, brake
tire rotations
Yes, some—but not all of them. We hold most classes for this program in person but do offer some courses fully online or hybrid. Attend class in the way that works best for your goals:
Virtual Live: Learn remotely in real-time. Take classes taught live via Zoom.
Online: Have the flexibility to complete coursework without scheduled meetings while staying actively engaged in a fully online environment.
In-person: Keep your degree on track with classes that meet face-to-face, providing you with opportunities to interact in person with faculty and peers.
Take the next step...
Be debt-free at CLC
CLC has some of the lowest tuition around. Financial aid and scholarships are available—even for working adults.
