While Alabama isn’t the most densely populated state, it still has plenty to offer in the way of automotive education. Compared to larger states like New York, California or Florida, you won’t find as many pure trade schools or technical colleges to get a degree. However, Alabama still offers a lot of ways to become a mechanic through smaller vocational schools, technical academies and community colleges.
Many of the mechanic schools in Alabama are great options as they offer a quality technical education at a lower price point than you will find nationally. Whether you are seeking a certification or an associates degree, you have a wide range of school sizes, programs and campus lifestyles.
Many students look at the job market in a state before they choose to attend a mechanic school there. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), automotive service technicians and mechanics in Alabama make an average of $39,340, which is a solid average wage when you consider the cost of living in most areas of the state. There are roughly 8,000 total jobs for mechanics and technicians in Alabama, though this includes those jobs that are currently filled. This number of jobs is expected to grow by almost 6% in the next decade, which is slightly below the projected growth for the US as a whole.
Most mechanic schools in Alabama offer certification in automotive technology, automotive service technology, or automotive mechanics. A certificate or an associates degree in these fields will usually lead graduates into a mechanic job, though there are also a few thousand jobs in more specialized fields in Alabama. While the state is not home to many Fortune 500 companies, there are dozens of companies, mostly in Birmingham with large, national or multinational operations. Whether you picture yourself with a large company, a small body shop, or even starting your own business, there are enough options and openings for mechanics and technicians that you can have a future in Alabama. Job types and salaries for the four main automotive fields in Alabama break down as follows: