If you live in Wisconsin and you want to prepare for a career as an auto mechanic, this page is for you.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers in this profession reportedly earned $44,700 per year, on average.
Salaries range from less than $23,570 and more than $66,780, depending on experience, employers, skills, and a variety of other factors.
Before being ready to apply for your first position as an auto mechanic, you have to learn a few skills, such as:
- Shop safety
- Tool and equipment usage
- Routine maintenance procedures
- Diagnosing and repairing motor vehicle systems
- Demonstrating professional customer service skills used in the industry
- And more
Auto mechanic classes are available at several colleges across the state.
The programs included in our list can lead to a Certificate, Diploma, or Associate Degree, depending on duration and the number of credits achieved.
Many programs focus on preparing job-ready students, so they provide you with hands-on experience working on real cars.
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 Wisconsin and the programs they offer.
#1Western Technical College
About the School
Western Technical College offers education options that are designed to deliver the skills and experience needed in the workforce.
Students get the essential training they need to build a better career.
Courses Offered
Among many other programs, the college offers:
- Automotive Maintenance & Light Repair Technician- Level I
- Automotive Service Technician- Level 2
- Automotive Technician
The Automotive Technician program includes 55 credits and prepares students for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification.
Classes are held at Western’s state-of-the-art Automotive Center.
Contact Information
- Address: 400 7th Street North, La Crosse, WI 54601
- Phone: 608-785-9200
- Website: https://www.westerntc.edu
#2Fox Valley Technical College
About the School
Fox Valley Technical College offers a variety of degree programs that are hands-on and close to home.
The transportation division includes an Automotive field with the following available programs:
- Auto Collision Repair & Refinishing Technician- Technical Diploma
- Auto Collision Repair & Refinish Technology- Associate Degree
- Automotive & Light Duty Truck Technician Technical Diploma
- Automotive Maintenance & Light Repair Technician Technical Diploma
- Automotive Service Management
- Automotive Technician- Imports
- Automotive Technology
- And more
The Automotive & Light Duty Truck Technician Technical Diploma program is available in Appleton and costs approximately $9,900
The program outcomes include diagnosis, service, and repair of:
- Automotive automatic transmission/transaxle systems
- Automotive brake systems
- Automotive electrical & electronic systems
- Automotive heating and air conditioning systems
- Automotive manual drive train and axle systems
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1825 N. Bluemound Drive, Appleton, WI 54914-1643
- Phone: 800-735-FVTC (3882)
- Website: https://www.fvtc.edu
#3Blackhawk Technical College
About the School
The Wisconsin Technical College System offers Automotive Technician programs designed to provide students with the skills necessary to enter or advance in many automotive industry positions.
Students learn about the technology, diagnosis, and repair of automotive and light truck electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic systems.
The program includes time spent on developing hands-on skills that are used on the job.
The Automotive Technician program available at Blackhawk Technical College is designed to provide the flexibility and support necessary for students’ transition from classroom to career.
Tuition is approximately $10,000.
Students learn how to perform maintenance procedures and how to diagnose and repair performance problems in engines, transmission, steering, suspension, heating, and other car systems.
The program also covers the proper use and function of hand and machine tools, automotive parts, and computerized equipment.
Contact Information
- Address: 6004 S County Road G, Janesville, WI 53546
- Phone: (608) 758-6900
- Website: https://www.blackhawk.edu
#4Chippewa Valley Technical College
About the School
Chippewa Valley Technical College offers an Automotive Maintenance Technician Technical Diploma.
The one-year program gives students basic auto repair training.
They explore a variety of techniques to maintain and repair cars and have the opportunity to acquire detailed knowledge about all vehicle components and diagnostic equipment.
Courses Offered
The one-year program is available in a face-to-face format in Eau Claire.
Those who want to continue their education will have completed the first year of the two-year program and may be able to enroll in the second year of an Automotive Technician program.
The college has agreements in place with several institutions to ensure an easy transfer.
Sample courses include:
- Automotive Brake Systems
- Auto engine Performance
- Welding- Automotive Technician
Contact Information
- Address: 620 W. Clairemont Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701
- Phone: 715-833-6300
- Website: https://www.cvtc.edu
#5Madison Area Technical College
About the School
Madison Area Technical College offers an Automotive Technician Technical Diploma program.
The two-year program equips students with the technical skills required to diagnose and repair automotive and light truck mechanical and electrical systems.
The program includes 54 credits and can be completed in two years.
It is available fully in person.
The program costs approximately $10,500.
Students learn:
- Electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic systems technology
- How to diagnose and repair automotive and light truck equipment
- How to test equipment and troubleshoot circuits
- Diagnose and rebuild electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic systems in modern automatic transmissions and transaxles
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1701 Wright Street, Madison, WI 53704
- Phone: 608.246.6100
- Website: https://madisoncollege.edu
#6Mid-State Technical College
About the School
Mid-State Technical College offers an Automotive Technician program that leads to a Technical Diploma.
Students get the skills to inspect, maintain, and repair cars and light trucks, and work on traditional mechanical systems as well as a growing number of electronic systems controlled primarily by computers.
Students receive instruction from industry experts and have access to state-of-the-art equipment.
The program outcomes include:
- Diagnosis, service, and repair of automotive automatic transmission/transaxle systems
- Diagnosis, service, and repair of brake systems
- Diagnosis, service, and repair of electrical & electronic systems
- Diagnosis, service, and repair of heating and air conditioning systems
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 401 N Main Street, Adams, Wisconsin 53910
- Phone: 608.339.3379
- Website: https://www.mstc.edu
#7Nicolet College
About the School
Nicolet College offers an Automotive Technician Technical Diploma program.
This program teaches the basic and more advanced automotive maintenance, repair, and diagnosis.
Students prepare to test, diagnose, and service electrical and mechanical systems and components found in today’s automotive systems.
Graduates are qualified for all eight areas of the ASE Certified Master Technician.
The program outline includes:
- Math Skills
- Geometry Skills
- Automotive Safety
- Automotive Service Fundamental Procedures
- Steering, Suspension, Inspection, and Light Repair
- Wheel Alignment
- Battery and Lighting Systems
- And more
In total, the program includes 55 credits.
Contact Information
- Address: 5364 College Drive, Rhinelander, WI 54501
- Phone: 715.365.4410 or 800.544.3039
- Website: https://www.nicoletcollege.edu
#8Northcentral Technical College
About the School
Northcentral Technical College offers an Automotive Technician program that includes 56 credits and leads to a Technical Diploma.
The program provides a full range of entry-level skills needed in automobile service and repair.
This program ladders fully into the Automotive Technology Associate Degree.
The Automotive Technician Technical Diploma is accredited as a Master Automobile Service Technology program- the highest automotive program accreditation level recognized by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
Courses Offered
Students take classes such as:
- Automotive Service Safety
- Basic Vehicle Maintenance
- Tire Service
- Drivetrain Service
- Brakes
- Manual Transmission Systems
- Advanced Chassis Systems
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1000 W. Campus Dr., Wausau, WI 54401
- Phone: 715.675.3331
- Website: https://www.ntc.edu
#9Gateway Technical College
About the School
Gateway Technical College offers more than 70 associate degrees and technical diploma programs.
Among many other career training paths, the college provides an Automotive Maintenance Technician and an Automotive Technician program.
Courses Offered
The Automotive Maintenance Technician program provides students with an introduction to fundamental automotive servicing techniques and prepares them for the Automotive Service Excellence certification exams.
Upon graduation, students are ready to begin working in an auto repair facility or continue their education and earn an associate degree in Automotive Technology.
The program includes 32 credits and is available at Horizon Center.
Tuition and fees sum up to approximately $6,200, while books and supplies add up to approximately $2,400.
Program courses include:
- Auto Shop Fundamentals
- Auto Shop essentials
- Steering & Suspension Systems
- Brake Systems
- Climate Control Systems
- Mathematical Reasoning
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 3520 – 30th Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53144
- Phone: 800-247-7122
- Website: https://www.gtc.edu
#10Lakeshore College
About the School
Lakeshore College offers a variety of programs that help students get started in a career they love.
One and two-year programs are available at the college.
Courses Offered
The Automotive Mechanical program provides students with a certificate and the basic mechanical-related courses that prepare them for entry-level positions.
Graduates may choose to continue their education by pursuing an Automotive Maintenance Technician Technical Diploma.
The curriculum includes classes such as:
- Safety and Welding Fundamentals
- Auto Orientation and Safety
- Auto Mechanical Measuring and Instruments
- Hydraulic and Mechanical Brake Systems
- Disc and Drum Brakes
- Wheel Alignment and Tire Service
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1290 North Avenue, Cleveland, WI 53015
- Phone: 888.468.6582
- Website: https://lakeshore.edu
Schools Summary Table
Regional Salary in Wisconsin
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton, WI | 620 | $56,560 | $27.19 | $79,730 | $37,430 |
| Eau Claire, WI | 380 | $55,260 | $26.57 | $77,610 | $36,430 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | 250 | $55,310 | $26.59 | $80,970 | $36,620 |
| Green Bay, WI | 660 | $56,390 | $27.11 | $79,150 | $36,630 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | 350 | $56,060 | $26.95 | $78,540 | $36,520 |
| Kenosha, WI | 330 | $54,950 | $26.42 | $80,350 | $36,000 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | 380 | $54,870 | $26.38 | $77,020 | $35,340 |
| Madison, WI | 1,150 | $60,300 | $28.99 | $92,330 | $37,350 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | 3,000 | $59,780 | $28.74 | $80,210 | $36,990 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | 370 | $56,220 | $27.03 | $79,040 | $37,360 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | 420 | $55,590 | $26.73 | $80,090 | $36,600 |
| Sheboygan, WI | 290 | $54,680 | $26.29 | $76,990 | $36,040 |
| Wausau, WI | 370 | $56,500 | $27.16 | $81,840 | $36,820 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you want to learn the skills needed for entry-level employment as an auto mechanic, the schools included in our list can get you ready for certification exams and entry-level employment in two years or less.
Now that you have read our selection of the best auto mechanic schools in Wisconsin, the next step is to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
