Becoming an Automotive Technician or Mechanic in Hawaii
If you’re a student in Hawaii who wants to enter the auto mechanic industry, there are several pathways that can help you get there. Individuals have broken into this field from all sorts of backgrounds, some with specialized qualifications and others with plenty of experience but no formal training. To ensure success on your journey towards an automotive career, begin by deciding which type of auto mechanic best fits your interests and goals.
Requirements for becoming an Automotive Service Technician in Hawaii
Auto mechanics in Hawaii must be licensed by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Motor Vehicle Repair Industry Board. To be eligible for a license, applicants must have at least five years of experience working as an automotive technician in the state, or they must pass a written examination.
In addition to licensing requirements, most employers prefer that automotive technicians have some type of postsecondary education with a focus on automotive technology.
Auto mechanic school training programs may cover some of the following topics:
- Electrical systems
- Preventive maintenance of automobiles and light trucks
- Engine performance
- Emission systems
- Manual drive train
- Hands on car repair
- Air conditioning
- Fuel systems
- Electronic systems
- Suspension systems
- Brakes
- Engine repair
- Steering
- Tire rotations
Auto Mechanic Schools in Hawaii
Hawaii has about 2,710 working automotive service technicians and mechanics, according to BLS May 2025 OEWS data. That number is small compared to mainland states, which means each trained technician carries real weight in the local job market. If you want to work on cars, trucks, or diesel equipment in the islands, a formal training program is the fastest way to get there.
The table below lists all 4 post-secondary programs in Hawaii that currently hold ASE Education Foundation accreditation. These are programs open to adults and career-changers. Community colleges generally cost less per credit hour than private technical institutes, though specific figures vary and are not listed here.
| School | Location | Series | Level | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu Community College | Honolulu | Automobile | Post-secondary | June 1, 2030 |
| Honolulu Community College | Honolulu | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | Post-secondary | June 1, 2028 |
| Kauai Community College | Lihue | Automobile | Post-secondary | June 1, 2028 |
| Leeward Community College | Pearl City | Automobile | Post-secondary | June 1, 2028 |
Honolulu Community College
Honolulu Community College is the only school in Hawaii with two separate ASE-accredited series. The Automobile program runs through 2030. The Medium/Heavy Duty Truck program runs through 2028. If you want to work on commercial vehicles or diesel equipment, this is the only post-secondary program in the state with that specific accreditation. The campus sits in Honolulu, which also has the largest concentration of automotive employers in the state.
Kauai Community College
Kauai Community College in Lihue holds ASE accreditation for its Automobile series through June 2028. If you live on Kauai, this program lets you train locally without relocating to Oahu. The automotive technology page on their site has current program and enrollment details.
Leeward Community College
Leeward Community College in Pearl City also holds ASE accreditation in the Automobile series through June 2028. Pearl City is on Oahu’s western side, which gives you another Oahu option if Honolulu’s campus is not convenient. Check their site directly for current course schedules and enrollment steps.
ASE Certification
ASE stands for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. ASE accreditation means a third party has reviewed the program’s curriculum, equipment, and instructors and found they meet a national standard. It is the most widely recognized quality mark in automotive training in the United States. Employers know what it means, and some hiring managers specifically look for it on a resume.
Accreditation has an expiration date. Each program must go through a renewal review before that date to keep its status. The expiration dates listed in the table above are the dates by which each program must renew, not the date the accreditation ends without warning.
There are over 40 different ASE certification exams, some of which include:
- Damage analysis and estimating certification test
- Collision repair and refinish certification tests
- Truck equipment certification tests
- Transit bus certification tests
- Alternate fuels certification test
- Auto maintenance and light repair certification test
- Engine machinist certification tests
- Light truck certification tests
- Parts specialist certification tests
- School bus certification tests
Manufacturer-sponsored programs
Some automakers run their own training programs, often called OEM programs. OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer, meaning the carmaker itself. These programs teach you to work specifically on that brand’s vehicles, often in partnership with local dealerships. You may train part-time at a dealership while completing classroom work, and some programs lead directly to a job offer at the sponsoring dealer.
Common examples include Toyota T-TEN, Ford FACT, and General Motors ASEP. Whether any of these programs currently operate through a Hawaii school or dealership is something you should confirm directly with local dealerships and with the community colleges listed above. Program availability changes, and a phone call to a dealership’s service department is the fastest way to find out what is active in your area right now.
If you are still in high school: 1 secondary-level program in Hawaii
This section is for you if you are currently enrolled in secondary school. The program below is a secondary-level program and is not open to adult career-changers.
There are no AYES-designated programs currently listed for Hawaii. AYES, which stands for Automotive Youth Educational Systems, is a structured pipeline that connects high school students directly to dealership apprenticeships after graduation. It is more specific than a general auto shop class, and it is worth asking any program you contact whether they have AYES affiliation or a dealership partnership built into the curriculum.
| School | Location | Series | Level | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Job Corps | Waimanalo | Automobile | Secondary | December 1, 2030 |
Hawaii Job Corps, Waimanalo
If you are a high school-age student, Hawaii Job Corps in Waimanalo may be worth a serious look. Job Corps is a free federal program for young people between 16 and 24. You live on campus, earn your high school diploma or GED if you need one, and complete hands-on trade training at the same time. The automotive program here holds ASE accreditation through December 2030, which means the training meets a national standard.
This program is not a standard school elective. It is a full residential program, and it is designed for students who want to move directly into a trade career. If you finish the automotive training, you leave with a credential, work experience, and job placement support. Visit the Job Corps site or call the center directly to ask about enrollment, eligibility, and what the automotive curriculum covers day to day.
Job Opportunities and Salary Expectations
Wages vary depending on which type of work you do. The figures below come from BLS May 2025 OEWS data and cover four automotive occupations in Hawaii.
Automotive service technicians and mechanics
This is the core occupation for most people who graduate from an auto mechanic program. In Hawaii, 2,710 people work in this role. The median wage is $52,160 per year. That means half of all technicians in the state earn more than that, and half earn less. The lower end of the range starts at $36,360 at the 10th percentile. The 25th percentile sits at $39,520. At the upper end, the 75th percentile is $67,160 and the 90th percentile reaches $79,090. The mean wage is $56,180.
Early in your career you will likely land somewhere near the 10th or 25th percentile. As you add certifications and years of experience, your pay moves up toward the median and beyond. Many technicians pursue ASE certifications after they are working, which can push earnings toward the upper quartile.
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
If you complete the Medium/Heavy Duty Truck program at Honolulu Community College, this is the occupation most relevant to your career path. In Hawaii, 690 people work in this specialty. The median wage is $80,080, and the mean is $76,730. The 10th percentile starts at $54,330, which is already above the median for general automotive technicians. The 25th percentile is $62,850. At the top, the 75th percentile is $85,040 and the 90th percentile is $100,540.
The wage gap between this specialty and general auto repair is large. If working on commercial vehicles or diesel engines appeals to you, that difference is worth factoring into your program choice.
Automotive body and related repairers
Body repair is a separate career path from mechanical repair. In Hawaii, 450 people work in this occupation. The median wage is $60,540, and the mean is $61,460. The 10th percentile is $34,190, and the 25th percentile is $47,400. The 75th percentile is $71,730, and the 90th percentile reaches $83,580. These wages sit above the median for general auto service technicians, which reflects the skill involved in body and paint work.
Automotive glass installers and repairers
This is a smaller specialty. Only about 50 people work in this occupation in Hawaii, so BLS data for this group has more variance than the larger occupations. The median wage is $49,410, and the mean is $57,020. The 10th and 25th percentiles are $47,740 and $48,090, which are clustered closely together. The 75th percentile is $64,780, and the 90th percentile is $77,080.
How pay progresses across a career
The pattern across all four occupations is the same: early-career wages start in the lower percentiles, and pay grows with experience, certifications, and specialization. Diesel and truck mechanics earn the most at every point on the scale. Body repair earns more than general auto service at the median. Glass installation is a smaller field with compressed wages at the lower end.
A practical path for many technicians is to start in general auto service, earn ASE certifications in specific areas (engine repair, brakes, electrical systems, and so on), and then move into a specialty or a senior technician role. Some move into service management, which shifts the pay structure entirely. None of that movement is possible without a solid technical foundation, which is what the programs listed on this page build.
Working as an Auto Mechanic in Hawaii
Working as an auto mechanic in Hawaii can be a rewarding experience. Auto mechanics get the chance to work with their hands and use their knowledge and skills to help others. With the right training, licensing, and ASE certification, you can become an automotive technician and pursue a career helping people keep their cars running safely and efficiently.
Next steps
You now have a complete list of every ASE-accredited automotive program currently operating in Hawaii at the post-secondary and secondary levels. If you are an adult looking to train, start by contacting Honolulu Community College, Kauai Community College, or Leeward Community College directly to ask about enrollment dates, program length, and what certifications you can earn. If you are still in high school, reach out to Hawaii Job Corps to learn about eligibility and what the residential program involves. Pick the program that fits your location and your goals, then contact the admissions office this week to get on the right timeline for the next intake.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/automotive-service-technicians-and-mechanics.htm