Becoming a Mechanic or Automotive Technician in Kentucky
Qualified automotive service technicians and truck mechanics are always in high demand. In Kentucky there are plenty of training and job opportunities for anyone who is prepared to learn and to get work right away. There are no specific state requirements for learning to be a mechanic, but most employers want to hire entry-level mechanics who have completed some level of educational program. [En Español]
The Job Outlook in Kentucky
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that in 2020 there were 9,570 auto mechanics working in Kentucky. There were also 4,000 bus and truck mechanics and 1,420 body and collision workers in the state that year. The industry is growing around the U.S. With six-percent growth according to the BLS, there will be thousands of new jobs over the next few years for those who have trained and are qualified.
Penn Foster College – Online Auto Repair Technician Career Diploma
Earn your Career Diploma online through Penn Foster College’s Regionally and nationally accredited school. The Automotive Repair Technician Program, developed by ASE Master Technicians and leading experts in the field of auto repair, will teach you relevant skills and subject matter. You’ll even get preparation for the ASE certification exams on major systems such as brakes, suspension and steering, manual drive train and axles, and more! Call 1-800-851-1819 today.
Auto and Truck Mechanic Salaries in Kentucky
This includes information for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers, Automotive Body and Related Repairers, and Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists. The salary data is categorized by percentile and region, highlighting significant variations based on experience and geographic location.
In Kentucky, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics earn between $24,000 and $60,000 annually. Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers have salaries ranging from $22,000 to $58,000. Automotive Body and Related Repairers earn between $26,000 and $66,000, while Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Specialists earn between $29,000 and $72,000.
Salaries in Kentucky by Occupation
| Occupation | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | $11.50 / $24,000 | $14.50 / $30,160 | $18.00 / $37,440 | $23.00 / $47,840 | $28.00 / $58,240 |
| Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers | $11.00 / $22,880 | $13.50 / $28,080 | $17.00 / $35,360 | $22.00 / $45,760 | $27.00 / $56,160 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairers | $12.50 / $26,000 | $15.50 / $32,240 | $20.00 / $41,600 | $26.00 / $54,080 | $31.00 / $64,480 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Specialists | $13.50 / $28,080 | $17.00 / $35,360 | $21.00 / $43,680 | $27.00 / $56,160 | $33.50 / $69,680 |
Auto Mechanic Salaries in Kentucky by Region
| Region | Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers | Automotive Body and Related Repairers | Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Specialists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $26,000 – $56,000 | $24,000 – $52,000 | $28,000 – $62,000 | $32,000 – $68,000 |
| Lexington | $25,000 – $55,000 | $23,000 – $50,000 | $27,000 – $60,000 | $31,000 – $66,000 |
| Bowling Green | $26,000 – $57,000 | $24,000 – $53,000 | $28,000 – $63,000 | $32,000 – $69,000 |
| Owensboro | $27,000 – $58,000 | $25,000 – $54,000 | $29,000 – $64,000 | $33,000 – $70,000 |
Auto Mechanic Schools in Kentucky
While getting a secondary or post-secondary certificate or degree in automotive technology is not necessary for becoming a mechanic in the state, most Kentucky employers hire entry-level mechanics with this basic education. There are several options for training throughout the state. Look for those that are accredited by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF).
- Gateway Community and Technical College. Gateway is located in Florence, Kentucky, and has several options for automotive programs for students. The school offers two-year associate degree programs in automotive technology, diesel technology and collision repair technology. Gateway also has a program to train students specifically to work on Ford vehicles. Called the Ford ASSET program, it prepares students to work in Ford dealerships.
- Jefferson Community and Technical College. Located in Louisville, Jefferson offers a range of options, including an associate degree in automotive technology and a diploma program in automotive technician. The school also has several certificate programs that students can use to get more specialized training for employability. These include certificates in brake repair, electronics, tune-up and maintenance, air conditioning and more. Students may also choose to complete the Toyota T-TEN program, which provides training to become certified Lexus and Toyota technicians.
- Hazard Community and Technical College. In Eastern Kentucky, students can attend programs in Hazard, earning an associate degree. The degree options include associate degrees in automotive technology, collision repair and diesel technology. Students can also earn certificates in shorter programs for more specific skills like brake repair, front end mechanic, engine repair, and manual transmission and drive train technician.
Secondary Auto Mechanic Programs
Like many other states, Kentucky has a number of opportunities for high school students to jumpstart their careers in automotive technology. Several schools and technical career centers offer students the option to complete a comprehensive training program that prepares them for entry-level positions right out of high school. Some of the locations include Campbell County Area Technology Center, Belfry Area Technology Center, Holmes High School in Covington, and Elizabethtown Community and Technical College.
ASE Certification
Most mechanics who have completed a training program and who have gone on to be hired in entry-level positions are working toward ASE certification. The organization offers general certification as well as certifications in a number of related specialties.
Some of these specialties include:
- Truck equipment certification tests
- Light repair certification test
- Light truck certification tests
- Transit bus certification tests
- Alternate fuels certification test
- Damage analysis and estimating certification test
To qualify to take a certification exam a mechanic must have either two years of on-the-job work experience or one year of experience after having completed a certificate or degree program at an accredited school.
Work Opportunities for Mechanics in Kentucky
As a growing industry there are plenty of job options for qualified candidates in automotive technology in Kentucky. The area of highest employment is near Cincinnati, in Louisville and Jefferson County, and in Lexington and Fayette, but there are also opportunities in more rural areas. Auto mechanics and diesel mechanics work at dealerships, repair shops, tire stores, body and collision shops and service stations. Working in this field in Kentucky is a great opportunity to make a good living doing interesting, hands-on work, and getting there doesn’t take a lot of time or money.