Becoming an Automotive Technician or Mechanic in Arizona
If you’re passionate about hands-on work and helping people, a career as an automotive mechanic or technician in Arizona could be the perfect fit for you. While employers usually prefer that job candidates have post-secondary education or training, this isn’t always necessary. So don’t let lack of experience hold you back.
Requirements for becoming an Automotive Service Technician in Arizona
In Arizona, auto mechanics do not need to obtain a professional license. However, employers often prefer to hire technicians who have obtained an associate degree in automotive technology from a technical college or vocational school. Additionally, these educational programs usually require a few months of practical experience at an auto repair shop or dealership.
Those who are interested in an automotive technology program can expect to learn about some of the following topics:
- Computer control systems
- Ignition systems
- Manual transmissions
- Brake systems and brake repair
- Engine performance
- Manual drive train
- Industrial safety
- Automotive repair
- Air conditioning
- Automotive systems
- Engine repair
- Emission systems
ASE Certification
To be ASE Certified is a highly sought-after distinction in the automotive industry. To achieve it, one must successfully pass an examination that pertains to their field of competency and sustain their certification every five years either by recertifying or taking the exam again.
With over 40 Automotive Service Excellence certification exams, you have numerous options to choose from. Certification examinations include:
- Truck equipment certification tests
- Auto maintenance and light repair certification test
- Engine machinist certification tests
- Light truck certification tests
- School bus certification tests
- Transit bus certification tests
- Alternate fuels certification test
- Parts specialist certification tests
- Damage analysis and estimating certification test
- Collision repair and refinish certification tests
Auto mechanic training in Arizona
Arizona employs 16,400 automotive service technicians and mechanics, according to BLS May 2025 OEWS data. That is a large enough workforce to support training programs at community colleges, technical centers, and a major private institute spread across the state, from Yuma to Show Low. Whether you are starting fresh out of high school or switching careers, you have real options to choose from, and this page lists all of them.
The gold standard for automotive training quality in the US is ASE accreditation. ASE stands for Automotive Service Excellence. When a program carries ASE accreditation, it means an independent body has reviewed the curriculum, equipment, and instructors against national standards. All programs listed on this page hold current ASE accreditation through the ASE Education Foundation.
Manufacturer-sponsored programs in Arizona
Four programs in Arizona pair college coursework with paid placement at a brand dealership. These are called OEM programs, meaning they are sponsored directly by an original equipment manufacturer: Ford, GM, Honda, or Toyota. You alternate between classroom study and hands-on work at a sponsoring dealer. The dealer pays you during your work rotations. When you graduate, you hold both a college credential and a manufacturer-specific certification, and you already have a relationship with a dealer who may hire you full time.
This structure gives you a faster path to employment than a general certificate alone. No other category of program on this page combines paid work experience with brand certification from day one.
All 4 manufacturer-sponsored programs in Arizona:
| School | City | Program | Series | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GateWay Community College | Phoenix | Toyota T-TEN | Automobile | December 2027 |
| GateWay Community College | Phoenix | Honda PACT | Automobile | December 2027 |
| Glendale Community College | Glendale | Ford ASSET | Automobile | May 2030 |
| Glendale Community College | Glendale | GM ASEP | Automobile | May 2030 |
To apply for any of these programs, contact the college directly. Each brand sets its own requirements, and the sponsoring dealer must accept you before you can enroll. Start early, because seats fill quickly.
All ASE-accredited post-secondary programs in Arizona
Post-secondary programs are open to adults and recent graduates. Community colleges generally cost less per credit hour than private technical institutes, though this page does not carry specific tuition figures. Contact each school directly for current costs.
All 13 post-secondary ASE-accredited programs in Arizona:
| School | City | Program / Series | Level | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Western College | Yuma | Automobile | Post-secondary | February 2027 |
| Fred G. Acosta Job Corps Center | Tucson | Automobile | Secondary and post-secondary | May 2028 |
| GateWay Community College | Phoenix | Automobile (general) | Post-secondary | December 2027 |
| GateWay Community College | Phoenix | Automobile / Toyota T-TEN | Post-secondary | December 2027 |
| GateWay Community College | Phoenix | Automobile / Honda PACT | Post-secondary | December 2027 |
| Glendale Community College | Glendale | Automobile / Ford ASSET | Post-secondary | May 2030 |
| Glendale Community College | Glendale | Automobile (general) | Post-secondary | May 2030 |
| Glendale Community College | Glendale | Automobile / GM ASEP | Post-secondary | May 2030 |
| Mesa Community College | Mesa | Automobile | Post-secondary | May 2030 |
| Northland Pioneer College | Show Low | Automobile / AYES | Secondary and post-secondary | October 2030 |
| Pima Community College | Tucson | Automobile | Post-secondary | February 2026 |
| Universal Technical Institute | Avondale | Automobile | Post-secondary | April 2028 |
| Universal Technical Institute | Avondale | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | Post-secondary | June 2031 |
Note on Pima Community College: The accreditation expiration date for Pima Community College is February 2026, which is before today’s date. Contact the college directly to confirm whether accreditation has been renewed before you apply.
Programs for current high school students
If you are in high school right now, you can start automotive training before you graduate. These programs are open to secondary students only. They are not available to adult career-changers. Four of the ten programs below carry the AYES designation.
AYES stands for Automotive Youth Educational Systems. It is not a standard shop class. AYES is a structured pipeline that connects you directly to a franchised dealership while you are still in school. You get supervised work experience at a real dealership, and many AYES graduates receive job offers from those same dealers before they even graduate. That direct dealership connection sets AYES apart from a general automotive class.
All 10 secondary ASE-accredited programs in Arizona (4 are AYES programs):
| School | City | Program / Series | AYES? | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coconino High School | Flagstaff | Automobile | Yes | April 2028 |
| East Valley Institute of Technology | Mesa | Automobile | Yes | February 2027 |
| East Valley Institute of Technology | Mesa | Collision Repair and Refinishing | No | February 2027 |
| East Valley Institute of Technology | Mesa | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | No | April 2029 |
| Flowing Wells High School | Tucson | Automobile | Yes | May 2028 |
| Mesa High School | Mesa | Automobile | No | June 2024 |
| Western Maricopa Education Center – NE Campus | Phoenix | Automobile | Yes | September 2027 |
| Western Maricopa Education Center – NW Campus | Surprise | Automobile | No | December 2028 |
| Western Maricopa Education Center – SW Campus | Buckeye | Automobile | No | May 2029 |
| Yavapai College | Prescott | Automobile | No | December 2028 |
Note on Mesa High School: The accreditation expiration date listed for Mesa High School is June 2024, which has passed. Contact the school directly to confirm whether their program is still active before pursuing it.
If you are at an AYES school, talk to your automotive instructor early in your junior year. Dealer spots fill fast, and the earlier you connect, the better your placement options.
What mechanics earn in Arizona
Pay varies by role, experience, and specialty. Here is how the main automotive occupations compare in Arizona, based on BLS May 2025 OEWS data.
Automotive service technicians and mechanics
This is the core job title for most graduates. Arizona has 16,400 people in this role, which is the largest of the four groups. The median wage is $49,570 per year. Early-career technicians at the 10th percentile earn $34,660. Mid-range earners at the 25th percentile earn $37,760. Experienced technicians at the 75th percentile reach $65,360, and the top earners at the 90th percentile reach $79,330. The mean wage is $55,680, which sits above the median because high earners pull the average up.
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
If you add a diesel or heavy-truck specialty, your pay floor rises significantly. Arizona employs 5,140 people in this role. The median wage is $61,680, which is $12,110 per year more than the median for general automotive technicians. Entry-level pay at the 10th percentile is $45,460. The 75th percentile reaches $74,310, and the 90th percentile reaches $84,350. Universal Technical Institute in Avondale holds ASE accreditation specifically for medium/heavy duty truck training, and East Valley Institute of Technology offers a secondary-level program in the same series.
Automotive body and collision repair
Collision repair sits between the two groups above. Arizona employs 2,750 people in this specialty. The median wage is $54,510. Entry-level pay at the 10th percentile is $37,210. Experienced repairers at the 75th percentile earn $60,510, and top earners at the 90th percentile earn $81,150. East Valley Institute of Technology runs an ASE-accredited secondary program in Collision Repair and Refinishing for students who want to focus on this path from high school.
Automotive glass installers and repairers
This is a smaller, specialized field. Arizona employs 730 people in this role. The median wage is $45,670. The pay range is tighter than the other occupations, with the 10th percentile at $38,740 and the 90th percentile at $67,230.
How pay grows over a career
The gap between entry and experienced pay is wide in this field. For general automotive technicians, the difference between the 10th and 90th percentile is $44,670 per year. For diesel specialists, that gap is $38,890. Experience, ASE certifications, and specialization all drive your pay upward over time. A technician who enters as a general service tech and later adds a diesel endorsement or a manufacturer certification can move from the lower pay bands to the upper ones within a decade.
Working as an Auto Mechanic in Arizona
Auto mechanics in Arizona are able to take advantage of the state’s many high-tech shops, auto part stores and other local businesses. Arizona automotive technicians also benefit from the state’s unique mixture of urban and rural communities, allowing them to use their skills for a variety of specialty repairs or services.
Overall, the job outlook for auto mechanics in Arizona is very good and with the right education and experience, you can find a position as an automotive technician that pays well and provides job security.
How to choose a program
Start with location. If you are in the Phoenix area, you have the most choices: GateWay Community College, Glendale Community College, Mesa Community College, Universal Technical Institute in nearby Avondale, and several West-MEC campuses. If you are in Tucson, look at Pima Community College, Fred G. Acosta Job Corps Center, and Flowing Wells High School if you are still in secondary school. If you are in a rural area, Northland Pioneer College in Show Low and Arizona Western College in Yuma serve students who are farther from the metro centers.
Next, think about your goal. If you want to work at a specific brand dealership, a manufacturer-sponsored program at GateWay or Glendale Community College gives you the clearest path. If you want the broadest foundation, a general automobile program at any of the community colleges gives you flexibility. If diesel and commercial vehicles interest you, Universal Technical Institute’s truck program or East Valley Institute of Technology’s secondary truck program are your best starting points.
Check accreditation expiration dates before you apply. Accreditation must be current when you graduate, not just when you enroll. Two programs on this page (Pima Community College and Mesa High School) have expiration dates that have already passed. Contact those schools directly to get updated status.
Financial aid may be available to those who qualify. Contact the financial office at the institution you are interested in for more information.
Next steps
Pick two or three programs from the tables above that match your location and career goal. Go to each school’s website using the links in the tables. Look for the program page, the application deadlines, and the financial aid office. For manufacturer-sponsored programs, ask specifically about dealer partnerships and how to get accepted by a sponsoring dealer. Then apply before the deadline. Seats in ASE-accredited programs are limited, and manufacturer-sponsored seats fill even faster.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/automotive-service-technicians-and-mechanics.htm