Becoming an Auto Service Technician or Mechanic in Missouri
If you live in Missouri and your passion is servicing and repairing automobiles, there are some great career options available to you. Missouri offers two-year automotive service technology programs at community colleges and technical institutions. Some courses are general studies in auto mechanics, while others focus on a specialty, such as chassis, electronics and transmissions. Programs feature both academic work and on-the-job-training. All alumni are eligible to continue their education through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). [En Español]
How to become ASE Certified
To be considered for further education through the ASE and take the national certification exam, a candidate must have two years of work experience or one year of work experience plus a certificate or degree.
Some of these exams provided by ASE include:
- Truck equipment certification tests
- Light repair certification test
- Engine machinist certification tests
- Light truck certification tests
- Transit bus certification tests
- School bus certification tests
- Alternate fuels certification test
- Damage analyses and estimating certification test
Although one is not required to be licensed or certified to work as an automobile mechanic in the state of Missouri, a degree or certificate may be preferred by certain employers.
There are many technical institutions to choose from throughout Missouri. A student will learn all aspects of mechanical maintenance and repair in these programs, including:
- Engine and fuel systems
- Transmission, brakes and suspension systems
- Safety systems
- Electrical systems, wiring and in-vehicle electronics
- Diagnostics
- Emissions control systems
- Auto maintenance
These programs also offer instruction in shop safety, customer interaction and environmental regulations. There will be hands-on training exercises on automotive systems to get students ready for the field.
Yearly Salaries of Auto Mechanics in Missouri
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 Missouri, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics earn between $25,000 and $65,000 annually. Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers have salaries ranging from $23,000 to $60,000. Automotive Body and Related Repairers earn between $27,000 and $70,000, while Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Specialists earn between $30,000 and $75,000.
Salaries in Missouri by Occupation
| Occupation | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | $12.00 / $25,000 | $15.00 / $31,200 | $19.00 / $39,520 | $24.00 / $49,920 | $29.00 / $60,320 |
| Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers | $11.00 / $23,000 | $14.00 / $29,120 | $18.00 / $37,440 | $23.00 / $47,840 | $28.00 / $58,240 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairers | $13.00 / $27,040 | $16.00 / $33,280 | $21.00 / $43,680 | $27.00 / $56,160 | $33.00 / $68,640 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Specialists | $14.00 / $29,120 | $18.00 / $37,440 | $23.00 / $47,840 | $29.00 / $60,320 | $35.00 / $72,800 |
Auto Mechanic Salaries in Missouri 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | $28,000 – $62,000 | $26,000 – $58,000 | $30,000 – $66,000 | $34,000 – $72,000 |
| Kansas City | $27,000 – $61,000 | $25,000 – $56,000 | $29,000 – $64,000 | $33,000 – $70,000 |
| Springfield | $26,000 – $60,000 | $24,000 – $55,000 | $28,000 – $63,000 | $32,000 – $69,000 |
| Columbia | $28,000 – $62,000 | $26,000 – $57,000 | $30,000 – $65,000 | $34,000 – $71,000 |
Auto Mechanic Schools in Missouri
If you are thinking of working as an automobile mechanic, be sure to find the right school for you.
There are automotive programs available all over the state, and here are a few that may fit what you are looking for:
- State Technical College of Missouri: Located in Linn, Missouri STCM offers students four different degrees and two certificate programs. Degree options include general automotive technology, electric and hybrid vehicles, high-performance vehicles, and light-duty diesel vehicles. The two certificate programs are general automotive tech and maintenance and light repair.
- Franklin Technology Center: FTC is located in Joplin Missouri, and offers programs in general automotive technology. It offers an ASE accredited program that deals in both in-class and hands-on experience in an auto tech laboratory.
- Ranken Technical College: RTC is located in St. Louis and offers a variety of degrees in the automotive field. Programs include general automotive technology, diesel technology, collision repair and fleet maintenance. There is also a Professional Technician program that offers both on-campus and off-campus instructions and internships that provide a hands-on experience.
- Vatterott College: Also located in Joplin, Vatterott College offers one program in general automotive technology and another that prepares students for the field as an auto body technician.
Career opportunities in Missouri as a Mechanic
There is work available all over the state of Missouri for automotive service technicians and mechanics. With either a certificate or degree with hands-on training it would be easy to find a job in any major city. If you live in one of the smaller towns located in the Ozarks, it may not be necessary to have either a degree or certifications, and you could start out as an entry-level employee.
College Listings
| School | Type | Tuition and fees per year | Net price per year | Auto Mechanic programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cape Girardeau Career and Technology CenterCape Girardeau, MO(573) 334-08261080 S. Silver Springs Rd.Accredited by Council on Occupational Education |
Public | not published | $18,211 to $22,184by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Crowder CollegeNeosho, MO(417) 451-3223601 Laclede AveAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $8,2802024-25 | $4,380 to $11,532by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
East Central CollegeUnion, MO(636) 584-65001964 Prairie Dell RdAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $5,5682024-25 | $11,604 to $15,528by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Franklin Technology Center Adult EducationJoplin, MO(417) 680-0004810 S. Wall AvenueAccredited by Council on Occupational Education |
Public | not published | $15,966 to $29,499by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Grand River Technical SchoolChillicothe, MO(660) 646-34141200 Fair StAccredited by Council on Occupational Education |
Public | not published | $9,239 to $13,336by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Jefferson CollegeHillsboro, MO(636) 797-30001000 Viking DriveAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $7,0502024-25 | $6,363 to $11,836by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Kirksville Area Technical CenterKirksville, MO(660) 665-28651103 S Cottage GroveAccredited by Council on Occupational Education |
Public | not published | not published |
|
Lex La-Ray Technical CenterLexington, MO(660) 259-22642323 High School DrAccredited by Council on Occupational Education |
Public | not published | not published |
|
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas CityKansas City, MO(816) 604-10003200 BroadwayAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $7,1002024-25 | $7,326 to $12,703by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Mineral Area CollegePark Hills, MO(573) 431-45935270 Flat River RoadAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $7,0102024-25 | $10,444 to $14,121by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Ozarks Technical Community CollegeSpringfield, MO(417) 447-75001001 E. Chestnut ExpresswayAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $5,7442024-25 | $5,952 to $12,412by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Pike-Lincoln Technical CenterEolia, MO(573) 485-2900342 Vo-Tech RdAccredited by Council on Occupational Education |
Public | not published | not published |
|
Poplar Bluff Technical Career CenterPoplar Bluff, MO(573) 785-22483203 Oak Grove RdAccredited by Council on Occupational Education |
Public | not published | not published |
|
Ranken Technical CollegeSaint Louis, MO(314) 371-02364431 Finney AveAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $17,4902023-24 | $14,346 to $22,727by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Saint Louis Community CollegeBridgeton, MO(314) 539-50053221 McKelvey RoadAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $5,1302024-25 | $5,718 to $11,180by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Southern Missouri Technical InstituteWest Plains, MO(417) 256-6152407 W. ThornburghAccredited by Council on Occupational Education |
Public | not published | $20,654 to $24,285by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
State Fair Community CollegeSedalia, MO(877) 311-73223201 W 16th StreetAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $5,7842024-25 | $6,873 to $9,039by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
State Technical College of MissouriLinn, MO(573) 897-5000One Technology DriveAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $8,1602024-25 | $10,272 to $17,385by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Waynesville Career CenterWaynesville, MO(573) 842-2500400 G. W. Lane |
Public | not published | $12,372 to $22,981by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Tuition and fees are from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS) for the year shown. Net price is the range of the average net prices each school published for different family incomes, from CareerSpy; it covers first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, so yours may differ. Schools that have closed are not listed.