This page compiles information about the best auto mechanic schools in Washington.
If you’re passionate about cars and enjoy working with your hands, a career as an auto mechanic may be the right fit for you.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage reported by auto service technicians and mechanics in Washington was $59,060 in 2024, making it the fourth-highest paying state for workers in this profession.
Before being ready to apply for your first auto mechanic job, you should be prepared to work on engines, brakes, transmissions, heating and cooling, and a variety of other car systems.
You have to learn a few skills, such as:
- Diagnose and repair vehicles
- Operate a variety of hand and machine tools
- Repair and maintain automobiles of all kinds
- Use shop equipment
- Follow safety rules
- And more
Auto mechanic classes are available 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 your state, what they will teach you, how much they cost, and other useful information.
#1UEI College
About the School
United Education Institute offers Automotive Technician training at several locations in Arizona, California, Georgia, Nevada, and Washington.
The Washington campus is located in Tacoma.
The Auto Technician curriculum helps students get into an entry-level career by giving them the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills needed to earn a position as a service technician, parts specialist, or alternative fuels technician.
The program is approximately 10 months long and is available in a hybrid format.
Students learn through hands-on training with instructors who have years of automotive experience.
Courses Offered
The program includes nine modules and courses such as:
- Engine Theory and Systems
- Electrical Theory and Diagnosis
- Engine Performance and Ignition Systems
- Fuel Systems and Emission Control
- Brake Systems
- Manual Transmissions
- Preventive Maintenance and Hybrid Technology
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1415 E. 72nd St., Tacoma, WA 98404
- Phone: (253) 210-3590
- Website: https://www.uei.edu
#2Bates Technical College
About the School
Bates Technical College offers an Auto Body Rebuilding and Refinishing program at its South Campus.
Students enrolled in this program prepare for apprenticeship employment in the auto body rebuilding and refinishing industry.
The program also provides extended learning opportunities for persons employed in related professions.
Courses Offered
The following degrees and certificates are available:
- AAS degree: Auto Body Rebuilding and Refinishing
- Certificate of Competency: Auto Body Repair
- Certificate of Training: Automotive Refinishing
The AAS degree is six quarters long.
The certificate of competency is also six quarters long, while students can earn a Certificate of Training in one to two quarters.
Tuition and fees sum up to $152.14 per credit for resident students.
Contact Information
- Address: 1101 S. Yakima, Tacoma, WA 98405
- Phone: 253.680.7000
- Website: https://www.batestech.edu
#3Lake Washington Institute of Technology
About the School
Lake Washington Institute of Technology offers an Auto Repair Technician pathway recognized as one of the state’s top-tier auto repair programs.
The program equips students with cutting-edge, professional skills, unlocking a variety of career options.
Students benefit from small class settings so each student gets personalized attention and hands-on training for an enriched learning experience.
Courses Offered
The following degree options are available:
- Auto Repair Technician, AAS
- Auto Repair Technician Certificate of Proficiency
- General Service Technician Certificate of Completion
The Auto Repair Technician Certificate of Proficiency includes courses such as:
- Automotive Introduction
- Electrical Systems
- Engine Systems
- Transmission & Final Drive Systems
- Engine Performance
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 11605 132nd Avenue NE, Kirkland, WA 98034
- Phone: (425) 739-8100
- Website: https://www.lwtech.edu
#4Wenatchee Valley College
About the School
Wenatchee Valley College offers an Automotive Tech Program that is Automotive Service Excellence certified.
The program is designed to prepare students for careers in the automotive repair field.
It combines theory with practical shop work to train students for entry-level positions in the automotive industry.
Graduates are equipped with competencies based on ASE tasks.
Automotive students train on a 2014 Subaru Forester trainer vehicle.
They use diagnostic equipment that allows for communication with the vehicle, programming, and testing.
Courses Offered
The program includes courses such as:
- Shop Procedures
- Electrical Systems
- Engine Repair
- Engine Performance
- Technical Reading
- Auto Transmission/Transaxle
- Manual Drivetrains
- Brake Systems
- Auto Heating and Air Conditioning
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1300 Fifth Street, Wenatchee, WA 98801
- Phone: 509-682-6800
- Website: https://www.wvc.edu
#5Clover Park Technical College
About the School
Clover Park Technical College offers an Automotive Technician program that immerses students in hands-on learning and includes the newest technology.
Students are prepared for a career after graduation.
The college has an 85,000 square-foot automotive facility that features state-of-the-art paint rooms, computer labs, classrooms, and glassed-in shop areas.
The Automotive Technician Degree program is seven quarters long.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Automotive Brakes
- Automotive Suspension, Steering & Wheel Alignment
- Electronic Systems
- Electrical Systems
- Automotive Ignition Systems
- Automotive Emissions Systems
- Automatic Transmissions
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 4500 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA 98499-4004
- Phone: 253-589-5800
- Website: https://www.cptc.edu
#6Yakima Valley Technical Skills Center
About the School
Yakima Valley Technical Skills Center offers an Automotive Technology program that teaches students how to:
- Diagnose, repair, and maintain a wide range of vehicles alongside ASE Master Technicians in a full-service ASE-accredited professional training facility.
- Use modern diagnostic and repair equipment to troubleshoot complex automotive systems.
- In-depth study and practice on the eight major areas of automotive technology
Students become prepared for immediate employment, apprenticeship completion, advanced certifications, and further education.
Contact Information
- Address: 1120 S. 18th Street, Yakima, WA 98901
- Phone: (509) 573-5500
- Website: https://yvtech.ysd7.org
#7Western Area CTC
About the School
Western Area CTC offers an Automotive Mechanics program that emphasizes theory and hands-on training.
The three-year program prepares students for employment in the automotive mechanics industry upon graduation.
Courses Offered
Automotive students learn how to:
- Diagnose and repair vehicles
- Operate a variety of hand and machine tools
- Repair and maintain automobiles of all kinds
- Use up-to-date shop equipment
- And more
Students have the opportunity to earn certifications such as:
- Automotive Lift Institute: Lifting is Right
- PA Skills Certificate
- S/P2: Automotive
- S/P2: Safety & Pollution Prevention
- Snap-On: Automotive Scanner Diagnostics
- Snap-On: Meter Certification
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 688 Western Avenue, Canonsburg, PA 15317
- Phone: 724-746-2890
- Website: https://www.wactc.net
#8South Seattle College
South Seattle College offers an Automotive Technology program that provides students with up-to-date, technologically advanced training equipment and facilities through the continued support of industry manufacturers and local dealers.
Courses Offered
The following degrees and certificates are available:
- Automotive Technology Associate of Applied Science Degree
- Automotive Technology Associate of Applied Science- Transfer Degree
- Maintenance & Light Repair Certificate
The Maintenance & Light Repair Certificate includes 54 credits.
The program is three-quarters long.
Tuition is $1,840.32 per quarter.
Contact Information
- Address: 6000 16th Avenue SW, Seattle, WA 98106
- Phone: 206.934.5300
- Website: https://southseattle.edu
#9Shoreline Community College
About the School
Shoreline Community College offers an Automotive Department that gives students the opportunity to learn from a faculty with industry experience as Master Technicians and is dedicated to educating the next generation.
Students learn in a state-of-the-art professional automotive training center.
The space is used by students and industry partners.
The college provides a supportive learning environment in which students can hone their skills for future employment.
Courses Offered
The following automotive programs are available:
- Automotive Service Technician AAAS
- General Motors Automotive Service Educational Program AAAS
- Honda Professional Automotive Career Training AAAS
- Mopar College Automotive Program AAAS
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 16101 Greenwood Avenue North, Shoreline, WA 98133-5696
- Phone: 206-546-4101
- Website: https://www.shoreline.edu
#10Green River College
About the School
Green River College offers an Automotive Technology program that teaches the hands-on skills needed for employment.
Students also earn certificates in the automotive field.
Those who finish all certificates and general education classes earn an Associate in Applied Science degree.
The college has two modern shops with ten bays each.
Students work on real customers’ vehicles, helping GRC students and employees troubleshoot their car problems.
Both shops are equipped with:
- Hunter tire machine
- Hunter tire balancer
- Hunter in-ground alignment rack
- A large variety of newer scan tools
- Factory scan tools
- Four and eight-channel slopes
Courses Offered
The following degree and certificate options are available:
- Automotive Technology, AAS
- Automotive Brakes, Steering, and Suspension Certificate
- Automotive Transmission and Transaxle Certificate
- Automotive Electrical Systems Certificate
- Automotive Engine Performance Certificate
- Automotive Heating and Air Conditioning
Contact Information
- Address: 12401 SE 320TH Street, Auburn, WA 98092
- Phone: 253-833-9111
- Website: https://www.greenriver.edu
Schools Summary Table
Regional Salary in Washington
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, WA | 390 | $60,220 | $28.95 | $79,640 | $38,540 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | 500 | $58,660 | $28.20 | $81,180 | $38,870 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 610 | $58,480 | $28.11 | $82,940 | $37,810 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | 210 | $56,100 | $26.97 | $79,060 | $38,180 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 300 | $62,360 | $29.98 | $97,740 | $37,470 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | 500 | $60,170 | $28.93 | $87,250 | $37,790 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 7,230 | $63,710 | $30.63 | $93,470 | $39,700 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 1,270 | $57,010 | $27.41 | $79,820 | $38,480 |
| Walla Walla, WA | 90 | $52,580 | $25.28 | $73,910 | $35,320 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | 240 | $56,170 | $27.01 | $80,900 | $36,990 |
| Yakima, WA | 440 | $53,810 | $25.87 | $76,630 | $36,120 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you live in the state of Washington, your passion for mechanical puzzles can be transformed into a rewarding career by completing one of the training programs above.
Now that you have read our selection of the best auto mechanic schools in your state, the next step is to continue the research and apply for the program that best fits your lifestyle and career aspirations.
