Trade Schools
If you live in North Carolina, you’re passionate about cars and enjoy working with your hands, the schools included in our list can prepare you for a rewarding career in the auto mechanics field.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage reported by auto service technicians and mechanics in North Carolina was $49,260.
As an auto mechanic, you should be prepared to work on engines, brakes, transmissions, and a variety of other car systems.
Before being ready to apply for your first position as an auto mechanic, you have to learn a few skills, such as:
- Diagnosing, repairing, and servicing suspension and steering systems
- Diagnosing and repairing the fuel injection and emissions system
- Accurately diagnosing, repairing, and servicing brake systems
- Servicing individual engine component systems
- Customer service skills
- And more
Auto mechanic classes are available in person and online at several colleges across the state.
Program duration ranges from a few months to two years, depending on the program and the credential it leads to.
To help you choose the program that best fits your needs, on this page, we have compiled information about the best auto mechanic schools in North Carolina and the programs they offer.
1Wake Tech
Wake Tech offers several transportation programs that prepare students to become master technicians, working on cars, specializing in heavy equipment for construction and agriculture, or building a career in management.
Courses Offered
The following transportation programs are available:
- Auto Dealers Licensing- Non-Degree
- Auto Technician- Non-Degree
- Automotive Systems Technology
- Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology
- Diesel & Heavy Equipment Technology
- Electric Vehicle Field Technician- a Non-Degree program
- And more
The Auto Technician program includes courses such as:
- Engine Repair
- Bolt & Nut ID, Measuring, and Service Literature
- Transmissions
- Suspension & Steering
- Brakes
- Electrical/Electronic Systems
- Engine Performance
In total, this program includes 96 contact hours.
Contact Information
- Address: 9101 Fayetteville Road, Raleigh, NC 27603
- Phone: 919-866-5000
- Website: https://www.waketech.edu
2Caldwell Community College TI
Caldwell Community College TI offers programs of study for students who want to become nurses, chefs, engineers, welders, or entrepreneurs.
Courses Offered
Career and Technical Education pathways are available in the following fields:
- Automotive Systems Technology- Diploma
- Automotive- Basic Engine Performance- Certificate
- Automotive- Basic Undercar- Certificate
- Automotive- Engine Repair Servicing- Certificate
The Automotive Systems Technology- Diploma program includes the following courses:
- Automotive Servicing
- Engine Repair
- Engine Repair Lab
- Suspension and Steering Systems
- Brake Systems
- Engine Performance
- Intro to Interpersonal Communication
- Writing and Inquiry
- Intro to Transportation Technology
- Basic Transportation Electricity
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2855 Hickory Blvd, Hudson, NC 28638
- Phone: 828.726.2200
- Website: https://cccti.edu
3Durham Tech
About the School
Durham Tech was founded in 1961 and is a growing institution in North Carolina, serving more than 18,000 students across seven campuses in Durham and Orange counties and online.
The college is accredited and offers more than 90 associate degrees and certificates for students who want to transfer to a university or are seeking immediate employment.
Durham Technical Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Courses Offered
The college offers several programs that can help students start a career as an automotive technician:
- Automotive Systems Technology
- Automotive Systems Technology- Diploma
- Automotive Systems Technology- Drivetrain Certificate
- Automotive Systems Technology- Undercar Certificate
The Automotive Systems Technology Associate Degree program includes 66 credit hours and can be completed in 18-19 months.
The estimated tuition and fees sum up to approximately $5,500.
A certificate requires between 15 and 17 credit hours and can be completed in eight months.
Tuition and fees for the Automotive Systems Technology- Undercar Certificate sum up to approximately $1,340.
Contact Information
- Address: 1637 East Lawson Street, Durham, NC 27703
- Phone: 919-536-7200
- Website: https://www.durhamtech.edu
4Fayetteville Technical Community College
About the School
Fayetteville Technical Community College offers an Engineering & Applied Technology: Automotive Systems Technology program.
The curriculum is designed for individuals who are passionate about cars and are interested in a career that is both technical and rewarding.
The Automotive Systems Technology program at Fayetteville Technical Community College is accredited by the ASE Education Foundation.
Courses Offered
The classroom and lab experiences included in this program integrate technical and academic coursework.
The curriculum emphasizes theory, servicing and operation of brakes, electrical and electronic systems, engine performance, engine repair, and other related topics.
Graduates are ready to take the ASE exam and are qualified for employment in dealerships and repair shops in the automotive service industry.
The following credentials are available:
- Automotive Systems Technology Associate in Applied Science
- Automotive Systems Technology Diploma
- Maintenance and Light Repair I Certificate
- Maintenance and Light Repair II Certificate
- High School Connections Maintenance & Light Repair I Certificate
Contact Information
- Address: 2201 Hull Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28303
- Phone: (910) 678-8400
- Website: https://www.faytechcc.edu
5Central Piedmont Community College
About the School
Central Piedmont Community College offers an Automotive Systems Technology program that includes both classroom and lab experience.
Students learn how to repair, service, and maintain automobiles of different makes and models.
During classroom training, students learn about theory, the servicing and operation of brakes, electrical/electronic systems, engine performance, automatic transmission/transaxles, engine repair, and more.
Graduates will be able to:
- Apply broad, in-depth knowledge of basic automotive systems
- Perform basic electrical and mechanical diagnosis, measurement, and repair of vehicles
- Describe the operation of, diagnose, and repair complex control systems
- And more
Central Piedmont Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees.
Contact Information
- Address: 8120 Grier Rd, Charlotte, NC 28215, United States
- Phone: 704-330-2722
- Website: https://www.cpcc.edu
6Pitt Community College
About the School
Pitt Community College offers an Automotive Systems Technology program that helps students turn their passion into a lucrative career as an Auto Technician.
The college offers an in-depth Automotive Systems Technology associate degree as well as multiple auto-related diplomas and advanced certificates to train as an auto service technician.
The curriculum integrates classroom, lab, and hands-on experiences to prepare students to pursue automotive technician jobs.
The program emphasizes theory, service, and the operation of everything from brakes to engine performance.
In addition to the automotive technician associate degree, PCC offers auto tech diplomas and certificates:
- Automotive Systems Technology Diploma
- Automotive Systems Technology Certificate Level I
- Light-Duty Diesel Diploma
All Pitt’s auto technician programs are accredited by the ASE Education Foundation.
The college keeps a project vehicle in progress on campus.
Students gain hands-on experience in building and rebuilding automotive systems to coincide with their coursework.
Contact Information
- Address: 2064 Warren Drive, Winterville, NC 28590
- Phone: 252-493-7200
- Website: https://pittcc.edu
7AB Tech Community College
About the School
AB Tech Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science degree that enables students to enter the job market as Automotive Service Technicians or Mechanics.
The program focuses on the application of technical knowledge and skills to repair, service, and maintain all types of automobiles.
Courses Offered
Students take the following core courses:
- Engine Repair
- Automatic Transmissions
- Steering and Suspension
- Brake Systems
- Climate Control
- Engine Performance
- And more
The following programs are available:
- Automotive Systems Technology A.A.S. Degree- a 65-credit program
- Automotive Systems Technology Diploma- a 44-credit program
- Automotive Systems Technology Certificate I- a 12-credit program
- Automotive Systems Technology Certificate II- a 14-credit program
Contact Information
- Address: 340 Victoria Road, Asheville, North Carolina 28801 USA
- Phone: (828) 398-7900
- Website: https://abtech.edu
8Guilford Technical Community College
Guilford Technical Community College offers 100 short-term training programs and more than 70 degrees.
Courses Offered
The following transportation programs are available at the college:
- Automotive Systems Technology
- Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology
- Diesel & Heavy Equipment Technology
- And more
The Automotive Systems Technology program includes the following credentialing options:
- Automotive Systems Technology- General Option, AAS
- Automotive Systems Technology Diploma
- Automotive Systems Technology- Brakes Certificate
- Automotive Systems Technology- Undercar Certificate
The program duration depends on the credential it leads to.
The Automotive Systems Technology- Brakes Certificate requires 14 credits in total and includes the following classes:
- Brake Systems
- Brakes Systems Lab
- Introduction to Computers
- Introduction to Transport Technology
- Basic Transportation Electricity
Contact Information
- Address: 601 E. Main Street, P.O. Box 309, Jamestown, NC 27282
- Phone: 336.334.4822
- Website: https://www.gtcc.edu
9Cape Fear Community College
Cape Fear Community College offers an affordable path to a well-paying job, an associate degree, and a rewarding career.
The average class size is 17.
Courses Offered
Cape Fear Community College offers an Auto Tech program that teaches the fundamental skills needed to help students start their automotive technician careers.
The course is designed to introduce fundamental automotive mechanic technician skills and competencies.
The coursework includes industry fundamentals, including PPE, tools, environmental regulation, government regulation, hazardous materials, transportation, electricity, and more.
A Mechanic Kit is recommended for the class, but not required.
Throughout the course, students become familiar with standard tools of the trade and begin to build a mechanic’s toolkit.
Contact Information
- Address: 411 N. Front Street, Wilmington, NC 28401
- Phone: 910-362-7000
- Website: https://cfcc.edu
10Coastal Carolina Community College
Coastal Carolina Community College offers an Automotive Systems Technology program that prepares students to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, service, and maintain all types of cars.
Courses Offered
The program includes instruction on brake systems, electrical systems, engine performance, engine repair, suspension and steering, automatic and manual transmission and drive trains, and heating and air conditioning systems.
The college offers a Diploma and four Certificates.
The Diploma includes courses such as:
- Safety and Emissions
- Engine Performance
- Workplace Communications
- Intro to Transport Tech
- Basic Transportation Electricity
- Advanced Auto Electricity
- And more
The following certificates are available:
- Automotive Systems Technology Certificate
- Powertrain Certificate
- Engine Performance Certificate
- Undercar Certificate
Contact Information
- Address: 444 Western Blvd, Jacksonville, NC 28546
- Phone: (910) 455-1221
- Website: https://coastalcarolina.edu
Schools Summary Table
Regional Salary in North Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 980 | $54,120 | $26.02 | $77,500 | $35,160 |
| Burlington, NC | 360 | $49,280 | $23.69 | $74,560 | $30,180 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 7,490 | $56,710 | $27.27 | $81,480 | $32,860 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 1,050 | $56,040 | $26.94 | $78,000 | $34,930 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 1,170 | $49,630 | $23.86 | $73,730 | $30,090 |
| Goldsboro, NC | 270 | $47,080 | $22.63 | $72,360 | $29,090 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 1,840 | $52,840 | $25.40 | $76,320 | $31,260 |
| Greenville, NC | 380 | $48,350 | $23.24 | $74,130 | $29,530 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 970 | $48,830 | $23.48 | $73,460 | $30,050 |
| Jacksonville, NC | 420 | $48,330 | $23.24 | $75,140 | $28,680 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | 200 | $49,460 | $23.78 | $73,820 | $30,900 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 3,570 | $55,550 | $26.71 | $79,870 | $34,350 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 300 | $46,300 | $22.26 | $72,480 | $29,120 |
| Wilmington, NC | 1,000 | $49,840 | $23.96 | $74,710 | $31,330 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 1,560 | $52,410 | $25.20 | $77,860 | $30,810 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Your passion for cars can be turned into a rewarding career by completing one of the training programs in the list above.
Now that you have read our selection of the best auto mechanic schools in North Carolina, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your lifestyle and career aspirations.
