Career Colleges » Oregon » Trades and Careers » Auto Mechanic
Looking for accredited career colleges, technical schools, and universities in Oregon offering Auto Mechanic degrees. Auto repair technicians and auto mechanics take their hobby and make it an enjoyable full-time profession in car repair.
Going to an Oregon college gives you seven different regions to explore in this scenic and open-minded state. Beach lovers enjoy the wild and untamed Coastal region. The city of Portland is an artist's mecca, and one of the most livable cities in America. Among other attractions, it is unusually handicapped-accessible, so if you are a person of limited mobility, you can enjoy a free and cosmopolitan life with fewer of the frustrations and compromises you encounter in other cities. Highlights of the other Oregon regions include the mountain range surrounding Mount Hood: it is worth a visit, whether you are a skier, a backpacker, or just a lover of scenic drives.Job opportunities in this occupation are expected to be very good for persons who complete automotive training programs in high school, vocational and technical schools, or community colleges. Persons with good diagnostic and problem-solving skills, and whose training includes basic electronics skills, should have the best opportunities. For well-prepared people with a technical background, automotive service technician careers offer an excellent opportunity for good pay and the satisfaction of highly skilled work with vehicles incorporating the latest in high technology. However, persons without formal automotive training are likely to face competition for entry-level jobs.
Automotive service technicians and mechanics held about 818,000 jobs in 2002. The majority worked for automotive repair and maintenance shops, automobile dealers, and retailers and wholesalers of automotive parts, accessories, and supplies. Others found employment in gasoline stations; home and auto supply stores; automotive equipment rental and leasing companies; Federal, State, and local governments; and other organizations. About 16 percent of service technicians were self-employed, more than twice the proportion for all installation, maintenance, and repair occupations.
Median hourly earnings of automotive service technicians and mechanics, including commission, were $14.71 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $10.61 and $19.84. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $8.14, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $25.21.