If you love cars and you’re passionate about seeing how things work, a career as an auto mechanic may be the right fit for you.
On average, auto service technicians and mechanics in Hawaii earned $48,450 per year as of May 2024, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics- higher than the national average for this profession.
An Auto Mechanic works on engines, brakes, transmissions, electrical components, and a variety of other systems.
Before being ready to apply for your first job as an auto mechanic, you have to learn a few skills, such as:
- Identifying mechanical and electrical problems in vehicles
- Conducting routine maintenance
- Diagnostics and Repair
- Replacing worn and damaged parts
- Explaining vehicle problems to customers
- Ensuring safety procedures are followed
- And more
All these skills can be learned through a post-secondary program at a trade school or community college.
To help you choose the program and the format that best meet your needs and career aspirations, on this page, we have compiled information about the best auto mechanic schools in Hawaii.
#1Hawaii Community College
Hawaii Community College has four campuses where it offers a wide range of academic programs, including four-year transfer pathways as well as non-credit programs.
Programs are available at the following locations: Hilo, Kona, Honoka’a, and University Center.
Courses Offered
The Automotive Technology program at Hawaii Community College prepares students for employment as general mechanics in a service station or auto dealer’s shop, or as specialty mechanics or specialists on engine tune-ups or electrical systems.
The following degrees and certificates are offered:
- Certificate of Achievement
- Associate in Applied Science degree
The program requirements include:
- Automotive Safety & Management
- Powertrain
- Quantitative Methods Preparation
- Undercarriage
- Diagnostics and Repair
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1175 Manono Street, Hilo, HI 96720-5096
- Phone: (808) 934-2800
- Website: https://www.hawaii.hawaii.edu
#2Leeward Community College
Leeward Community College offers an Automotive Technology program that includes hands-on shop training by certified instructors with years of real-world experience in the industry.
Courses Offered
The following degrees and certificates are available:
- Associate in Applied Science, Automotive Technology- a program that includes 63-64 credits
- Certificate of Achievement, Automotive Technology- 30 credits
- Certificate of Competence, Automotive Technology- 15 credits
The Automotive Technology program is accredited by the Automotive Service Excellence Education Foundation.
The Certificate of Competence has the following requirements:
- Introduction to Automotive Mechanics
- Electrical/Electronic Systems I
- Brake Systems
- Advanced Brake Systems
- Elective Courses: Quantitative Methods in Automotive Technology, Survey of Math, or equivalent or higher
In total, the program includes 15 credits.
Contact Information
- Address: 96-045 Ala ‘Ike, Pearl City, HI 96782
- Phone: (808) 455-0011
- Website: https://www.leeward.hawaii.edu
#3Mar-Kee Group
About the School
Mar-Kee Group offers several training programs, including:
- aAutotraining
- eBoatTraining
- eRVtraining
- 90-Day Online Boot Camp
The 90-Day Online Boot Camp teaches the following:
- Automotive Sales
- Auto Service Advisors
- Boat Sales
- RV Sales
- RV Service Advisors
Contact Information
- Address: 26151 Equity Drive, Suite #8, Daphne, AL 36526
- Phone: 888.300.4629
- Website: https://markeegroup.com
#4Honolulu Community College
Honolulu Community College offers various degrees and certifications to prepare students for a lifetime of meaningful work.
Courses Offered
Among many other programs, the college offers the following transportation and maintenance programs:
- Aeronautics Maintenance Technology
- Auto Body Repair & Painting
- Automotive Technology
- Diesel Mechanics Technology
The Automotive Technology program is a comprehensive, five-semester program that is master certified by the National Automotive Technology Education Foundation.
It is also certified in all eight ASE areas: engine repair, automotive transmission and transaxle, manual drivetrain and axles, suspension and steering, brakes, electrical/electronics systems, heating and air conditioning, and engine performance.
Contact Information
- Address: 874 Dillingham Blvd. Honolulu, HI 96817
- Phone: (808) 845-9211
- Website: https://www.honolulu.hawaii.edu
#5Servco Pacific Inc.
About the School
Servco Pacific Inc. offers a Toyota Technical Education Program.
The program began at Honolulu Community College’s Automotive Technology Program in September 1991 in partnership with Servco.
Since then, the program has also expanded to include Leeward Community College and Kaua‘i Community College.
Students who are enrolled in an Automotive Technology program at one of the colleges are eligible for the T-TEP Scholarship.
The scholarship covers tuition reimbursement for the remaining credits toward the Automotive AAS degree, offers manufacturer-led instructor training, and provides part-time paid employment with Servco as a Technician Apprentice.
Contact Information
Website: https://www.servco.com
#6University of Hawai'i Maui College
University of Hawai’i Maui College offers more than 20 programs.
The college’s catalog includes an Automotive Technology program that provides students with hands-on experience and teaches them how to diagnose, service, and repair internal combustion and hybrid vehicle engines, brake systems, power train, and electrical systems.
The program is designed around a two-year full-time semester schedule.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes the following courses:
- Small Engine Repair
- Introduction to Automotive Technology
- Engines Repair
- Electrical/Electronic Systems
- Heating and Air Conditioning
- Automatic Transmissions and Transaxles
- Brake Systems
- Ignition Systems
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 310 W. Ka’ahumanu Ave, Kahului, Hawaiʻi 96732-1617
- Phone: (808) 984-3500
- Website: https://maui.hawaii.edu
#7Porter and Chester Institute
About the School
Auto mechanic classes are also available online, at schools located in other states.
Porter and Chester Institute offers an Automotive Technology Hybrid Electric Vehicle Program in Worcester.
Students are prepared to work in several automotive settings, such as an independent service center or a car dealership, in as few as 12 months.
The campus also offers hybrid and electric vehicle training.
There are two education delivery options currently offered for Automotive Technology at the Worcester campus:
- Blended Program- lectures take place online, labs take place on campus
- On-Ground Program- lectures and labs take place on campus
Students spend a lot of time in the school’s auto shops with scan tools, computer diagnostic oscilloscopes, emissions diagnostic equipment, computerized alignment machines, brake lathes, and more.
In addition to motor vehicle knowledge, students also learn auto technician soft skills that prepare them to interact with customers with professionalism.
Contact Information
- Address: 156 Boston Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06610
- Phone: (475) 273-2400
- Website: https://porterchester.edu
#8Penn Foster
About the School
Penn Foster offers an online Automotive Repair Technician program.
The program leads to a career diploma and can be completed in four months.
The online classes prepare students for auto repair jobs in a variety of settings, from repair shops to dealerships.
Students learn about engine repair, automatic transmission/transaxle, manual drive train and axles, suspension and steering, brakes, and electrical/electronic systems.
The program prepares students to sit for ASE Certification exams.
The online programs are flexible enough for students to finish them at a pace that works for them.
The online courses include:
- Automotive Repair Foundations
- Engine Repair
- Automotive Brakes
- Suspension and Steering
Contact Information
- Address: 200 Hickory Street, Scranton, PA 18505 USA
- Phone: 800-275-4410
- Website: https://www.pennfoster.edu
#9Ogeechee Technical College
Ogeechee Technical College offers a student-centered environment that prepares lifelong learners to succeed in a global society.
Courses Offered
Among many other career paths, the college offers the following programs of study:
- Automotive Technology Diploma
- Automotive Chassis Technician Specialist Certificate
- Automotive Climate Control Technician Certificate
- Automotive Engine Performance Technician Certificate
- Automotive Engine Repair Technician Certificate
- Electric Vehicle Professional Certificate
- And more
Depending on the program they choose, students may earn a Diploma or Certificate.
Programs are available in-person and online.
The Automotive Technology Diploma program includes classes such as:
- Automotive Technology Introduction
- Automotive Brake Systems
- Automotive Electrical Systems
- Automotive Engine Performance
- Automotive Climate Control Systems
- Automotive Engine Repair
- And more
Students need to earn a minimum of 55 semester credit hours for a Diploma.
The Diploma program generally takes five semesters to complete and requires a minimum of 1,461 contact hours.
Contact Information
- Address: 1 Joe Kennedy Blvd. Statesboro, GA 30458
- Phone: (800) 646-1316
- Website: https://www.ogeecheetech.edu
#10Advanced Automotive Training
Advanced Automotive Training is a school located in the Sacramento area that specializes in automotive training.
The program is designed to provide technicians with a better understanding of today’s complex computer-controlled vehicles.
Programs are available in both online and in-person sessions with hands-on training techniques.
Courses Offered
The following classes are available:
- BAR Specific Diagnostic and Repair Training
- Smog Check Repair Technician Update- online only
- Level 1 Inspector Course
- Level 2 Inspector Course
- And more
Costs range from $275 to $1,095, depending on the class.
Contact Information
- Address: 5750 Sunrise Blvd, Suite 130, Citrus Heights, CA 95610
- Phone: 916-804-2980
- Website: https://www.advancedautomotivetraining.com
Schools Summary Table
Auto Mechanic Average Salary in Hawaii
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$36K
|
|
|
$56K
|
|
|
$79K
|
Auto Mechanic Salary by Metro Area in Hawaii
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | 430 | $58,240 | $28.00 | $80,440 | $39,070 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | 1,900 | $56,190 | $27.01 | $78,800 | $35,340 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our selection of the best auto mechanic schools in Hawaii, the next step is to continue the research and decide if this is the path you want to pursue.
Once you have decided that an auto mechanic profession is the right fit for you, it’s time to choose the school that will prepare you for certifications and entry-level employment.
