Becoming an Automotive Technician or Mechanic in Georgia
If you’re good with your hands and not afraid of a little hard work, automotive mechanics may be the field for you. In Georgia, most of the higher-paying auto technician jobs will require specialized training and certification. Getting this should give you an advantage and help you stay competitive in the job market.
Requirements for becoming an Automotive Service Technician in Georgia
A license is not required in the state of Georgia to practice as an automotive technician. However, many employers prefer to hire certified auto mechanics who have shown a level of competency and knowledge in their field. This is usually accomplished by enrolling in an automotive technology training program.
The following topics may be covered by various automotive mechanic programs:
- Auto repair
- Engine performance
- Climate control
- Collision repair
- Automotive chassis
- Auto maintenance
- Brake systems
- Steering
- Engine repair
- Transmission systems
- Fuel systems
Once you have completed a training program and obtained the appropriate certification, you are eligible to apply for an automotive technician job in Georgia. It is important to note that employers may require additional experience or a combination of schooling and on-the-job training.
Auto Mechanic Training in Georgia
Georgia employs more than 22,000 automotive service technicians and mechanics, according to BLS May 2025 OEWS data. That makes it one of the larger markets for this trade in the Southeast. If you want to work on cars for a living, the state gives you a clear path: start in an ASE-accredited program (one that meets the quality standard set by the ASE Education Foundation, the main certifying body for automotive training in the US), earn your credentials, and enter a labor market that pays median wages of $49,060 a year for service technicians.
This page lists every ASE-accredited program operating in Georgia at the time of publication: 16 post-secondary programs at 13 institutions, 1 manufacturer-sponsored program, and 21 secondary programs at high schools across the state. The numbers come directly from the ASE Education Foundation directory and BLS May 2025 OEWS data. No program has been left out.
In addition to traditional automotive technology degree programs, many technical colleges and vocational schools in Georgia offer specialized options for those aspiring to become auto technicians. Many programs also include hands-on training in a shop setting with real vehicles.
ASE Certification
ASE certification is the most widely recognized industry standard for automotive technicians. ASE stands for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, which is a non-profit organization that tests and certifies technicians in various areas of auto repair and maintenance. Most employers prefer to hire technicians who have ASE certification or are working towards getting certified.
There are more than 40 ASE certification exams available in various areas of automotive repair and maintenance. Some of these tests include:
- Light truck certification tests
- Truck equipment certification tests
- Light repair certification test
- Alternate fuels certification test
- Transit bus certification tests
- Damage analysis and estimating certification test
- Collision repair and refinish certification tests
To become ASE certified, technicians must first pass each of the required tests for their desired certification. After passing all of the exams, continuing education credits must be earned every five years to maintain certification.
Why ASE accreditation matters for you
ASE accreditation means a school’s automotive program has been reviewed and approved by the ASE Education Foundation. The program must meet standards for equipment, instructor qualifications, and curriculum. Dealers and independent shops know what an accredited program looks like. Hiring managers at those shops often prefer graduates from accredited programs because the training is consistent and verifiable.
Accreditation is not permanent. Each program listed below has an expiration date. A program with a date that has already passed may be in the renewal process. Contact the school directly to confirm current status before you apply.
Manufacturer-sponsored program in Georgia
One program in Georgia goes beyond standard accreditation. Mopar CAP (Mopar Career Automotive Program) is a manufacturer-sponsored program, meaning Stellantis (the parent company of Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, and Ram) co-designed it with the college. You study at the college and rotate through paid placements at participating Mopar dealerships at the same time. When you finish, you hold manufacturer-specific credentials that a Mopar dealer already recognizes. That combination of college credit, real shop hours, and brand certification gives you a stronger starting position than a general certificate alone.
There is 1 Mopar CAP program in Georgia:
| Institution | City | Program | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gwinnett Technical College | Lawrenceville | Mopar CAP (Automobile) | June 2028 |
If you want to work specifically at a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, or Ram dealership, this program is the most direct route in Georgia. Apply early: dealer placement seats are limited.
All 16 post-secondary ASE-accredited programs in Georgia
The table below shows all 16 post-secondary programs currently listed in the ASE Education Foundation directory for Georgia. These are the programs you can enroll in as an adult. Community colleges in Georgia’s technical college system generally cost less per credit hour than private technical institutes, though specific figures are not published here. Contact each school’s admissions office for current tuition information.
| Institution | City | Series | Level | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens Technical College | Athens | Automobile | Post-secondary | December 2027 |
| Augusta Technical College | Augusta | Automobile | Post-secondary | May 2024 |
| Central Georgia Technical College | Macon | Automobile | Post-secondary | June 2028 |
| Central Georgia Technical College | Milledgeville | Automobile | Post-secondary | November 2029 |
| Central Georgia Technical College – South Campus | Warner Robins | Automobile | Post-secondary | December 2029 |
| City of Refuge | Atlanta | Automobile | Post-secondary | January 2028 |
| Columbus Technical College | Columbus | Automobile | Post-secondary | December 2029 |
| Gwinnett Technical College | Lawrenceville | Automobile | Post-secondary | June 2028 |
| Gwinnett Technical College | Lawrenceville | Automobile (Mopar CAP) | Post-secondary | June 2028 |
| Houston County Career Academy | Warner Robins | Automobile | Secondary and post-secondary | February 2027 |
| North Georgia Technical College | Clarkesville | Automobile | Post-secondary | August 2029 |
| North Georgia Technical College | Clarkesville | Collision Repair and Refinishing | Post-secondary | October 2027 |
| Southern Regional Technical College – Moultrie Campus | Moultrie | Automobile | Post-secondary | June 2029 |
| Southern Regional Technical College – Thomasville Campus | Thomasville | Automobile | Post-secondary | January 2031 |
| Wiregrass Georgia Technical College – Ben Hill-Irwin Campus | Fitzgerald | Automobile | Post-secondary | March 2027 |
| Wiregrass Georgia Technical College – Valdosta Campus | Valdosta | Automobile | Post-secondary | March 2027 |
Note on Augusta Technical College: the accreditation expiration shown is May 2024. Programs often operate under a renewal review after expiration. Contact the college directly to confirm the current accreditation status before you apply.
High school automotive programs in Georgia
This section is for you if you are currently enrolled in a Georgia high school. These programs are part of your school’s curriculum. They are not open to adult career-changers. If you have already graduated, skip to the post-secondary table above.
Georgia has 21 ASE-accredited secondary automotive programs. Five of them carry AYES designation. AYES stands for Automotive Youth Educational Systems. It is a structured pipeline that connects your high school class directly to dealership training. An AYES program is not a general shop class. It includes a formal agreement between the school and participating dealerships, giving you a defined path from your junior or senior year into a dealer apprenticeship or job placement when you graduate. No other high school automotive program in Georgia is built that way.
If you attend a school with an AYES program, talk to your automotive instructor about the dealership connection before your junior year starts. The earlier you express interest, the more likely you are to secure a placement slot.
All 21 secondary ASE-accredited programs in Georgia (5 with AYES designation) are listed below:
| School | City | Series | AYES | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASE Test School | Elberton | Automobile | No | November 2024 |
| Camden County High School | Kingsland | Automobile | No | January 2028 |
| Cedar Shoals High School | Athens | Automobile | No | November 2028 |
| Cobb Innovation and Technology Academy | Marietta | Automobile | No | December 2027 |
| College and Career Academy | Carrollton | Automobile | Yes | May 2030 |
| East Hall High School | Gainesville | Automobile | No | June 2031 |
| East Paulding High School | Dallas | Automobile | No | June 2028 |
| Effingham College and Career Academy | Rincon | Automobile | Yes | June 2027 |
| Forsyth Central High School | Cumming | Automobile | Yes | December 2029 |
| Franklin County High School | Carnesville | Automobile | No | July 2027 |
| Grovetown High School | Grovetown | Automobile | No | December 2028 |
| Habersham Central High School | Mt. Airy | Automobile | No | April 2031 |
| Harlem High School | Harlem | Automobile | No | June 2029 |
| Jordan Vocational High School | Columbus | Automobile | No | May 2028 |
| Lowndes High School | Valdosta | Automobile | Yes | July 2026 |
| Maxwell High School of Technology | Lawrenceville | Automobile | No | June 2028 |
| Maxwell High School of Technology | Lawrenceville | Collision Repair and Refinishing | Yes | July 2029 |
| North Paulding High School | Dallas | Automobile | No | March 2029 |
| Northwest Georgia College and Career Academy | Dalton | Automobile | No | April 2027 |
| South Paulding High School | Douglasville | Automobile | No | April 2031 |
| Thomas County Central High School | Thomasville | Automobile | No | June 2028 |
Note on Lowndes High School: the AYES accreditation shown expires July 2026. Contact the school to confirm whether renewal is in progress.
Job Outlook and Salary Expectations
The job outlook for mechanics in Georgia is expected to continue growing over the coming years. [VERIFY-STALE: The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment in this field will increase by 7% between 2020 and 2030.] The figures below come from BLS May 2025 OEWS data and cover four related occupations in Georgia.
Automotive service technicians and mechanics
This is the core occupation for most people who complete an auto mechanic program. Georgia employs 22,070 people in this role. The median wage is $49,060 a year. Half of all technicians in the state earn between $37,740 and $65,530. The top 10 percent earn $84,360 or more. Entry-level technicians at the 10th percentile earn $33,580.
That spread tells you something important. Your starting wage depends on your credentials and your employer. An ASE certification earned during your program moves you out of the entry band faster than a general certificate alone. The Mopar CAP program at Gwinnett Technical College puts you in a dealership environment from the start, which tends to accelerate that progression.
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
If you want to work on commercial vehicles, this path pays more at every level. Georgia employs 10,910 people in this occupation. The median wage is $61,370 a year. The 25th percentile is $51,510, and the 90th percentile is $85,260. The entry point (10th percentile) is $45,890, which is already higher than the median for general auto technicians.
Diesel specialization usually requires additional coursework or a separate diesel technology program. Some of the technical colleges listed above include diesel content in their automobile programs. Ask each school specifically about diesel coursework before you enroll.
Automotive body and related repairers
Collision repair technicians in Georgia earn a median wage of $51,190 a year. The middle half of earners fall between $45,460 and $61,660. The top 10 percent earn $97,080, the highest ceiling of any occupation on this page. Entry-level workers at the 10th percentile earn $36,140.
Georgia employs 4,680 body repairers. Two programs specifically cover Collision Repair and Refinishing: North Georgia Technical College in Clarkesville (post-secondary) and Maxwell High School of Technology in Lawrenceville (secondary, with AYES designation). If collision repair is your target, those are the programs to look at first.
Automotive glass installers and repairers
This is a smaller specialty. Georgia employs 520 glass installers and repairers. The median wage is $36,430 a year, with a range from $29,760 at the 10th percentile to $52,290 at the 90th percentile. Pay is lower and the ceiling is lower than the other three occupations. Most people enter this specialty after working in a related role rather than training for it directly.
How wages progress over a career
Across all four occupations, the pattern is the same: the gap between the 10th and 90th percentile is large. For auto service technicians, that gap is just over $50,000. For body repairers, it exceeds $60,000. Experience, ASE certifications, and specialization are the main drivers that move you up that range. A technician who holds multiple ASE certifications and specializes in a high-demand area, such as advanced driver assistance systems or electric vehicles, tends to reach the upper quartile faster than one who does not. Your training program is where that process starts.
Auto Mechanic Salaries in Georgia by Region
The regional figures below reflect earlier BLS data and are provided for relative comparison across Georgia metro areas. For current statewide wage data, refer to the occupation summaries above.
| Region | Total Employed | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, GA | 380 | $21.12 | $43,930 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | 420 | $20.99 | $43,650 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 13,280 | $22.85 | $47,530 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | 1,160 | $21.32 | $44,350 |
| Brunswick, GA | 230 | $25.16 | $52,340 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | 510 | $19.96 | $41,520 |
| Dalton, GA | 230 | $19.97 | $41,530 |
| Gainesville, GA | 380 | $22.10 | $45,970 |
| Hinesville, GA | 170 | $24.27 | $50,490 |
| Macon, GA | 510 | $21.16 | $44,020 |
| Rome, GA | 210 | $21.57 | $44,870 |
| Savannah, GA | 920 | $22.02 | $45,810 |
| Valdosta, GA | 290 | $19.99 | $41,570 |
| Warner Robins, GA | 370 | $20.57 | $42,780 |
Working as an Auto Mechanic in Georgia
Job openings in the automotive industry are available in many cities across the state, including Atlanta, Columbus, Augusta, and Macon. Depending on their experience and certifications, technicians may find employment opportunities at small independent shops or large car dealerships. Most employers of auto mechanics in Georgia offer competitive pay and benefits packages to attract skilled workers.
Without auto mechanics, many drivers in Georgia would be lost. These dedicated professionals work hard to ensure that everyone can get back on the road quickly and safely. With the right education and training, anyone can become a successful mechanic in Georgia.
How to choose a program
Start with location. Georgia’s technical college system has campuses spread across the state, from Fitzgerald in the south to Clarkesville in the north. If you live near Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College has a campus there. If you are in the Atlanta metro area, Gwinnett Technical College is the only school in the state with a Mopar CAP program, which adds real value if you want to work at a Chrysler or Dodge dealership.
Check the accreditation expiration date. A program with an expiration date that has already passed is not necessarily closed, but you need to confirm active status before you commit. Always call the school.
Look at the series. Most programs listed here cover Automobile (general service technology). Two programs cover Collision Repair and Refinishing. If you want to work in a body shop, apply to one of those two specifically.
If you are still in high school, check whether your school is on the secondary list above. Five of those schools run AYES programs. An AYES designation means the school has a formal relationship with dealerships in your area. That relationship can translate directly into a job offer when you graduate.
Next steps
Use the tables above to find the programs closest to you. Click the school name to go to its website. Look for the automotive technology or collision repair program page, find the contact information for the department, and call or email to ask about enrollment dates, program length, and financial aid. For high school students, speak to your automotive instructor or counselor about whether your school’s program connects to AYES dealer placements. The programs are listed. The wages are clear. The next step is yours to take.
Source:
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- ASE Education Foundation Program Directory, https://www.aseeducationfoundation.org/