Becoming an Automotive Technician or Mechanic in Illinois
A career as an automotive service technician or a collision and body repair worker might be for you if you love working with your hands, helping people and being around cars. In Illinois, the demand for these skilled professionals is high, and the salaries are great. To become a mechanic in Illinois, you only have to complete a certificate or two-year degree program and continue training on the job.
Requirements for becoming an Automotive Service Technician in Illinois
You do not need any type of professional license to work as an auto mechanic in Illinois. However, employers may prefer to hire technicians who have completed a certificate or two-year degree program from an automotive service technology school.
Prospective auto mechanics can expect to learn about some of the following topics should they choose to enroll in an automotive technology program:
- Auto maintenance
- Manual drive train
- Collision repair
- Damage analysis
- Motor vehicle air conditioning
- Electrical systems
- Engine management
- Computer technology
- Auto repair
Courses usually include a mix of classroom lectures and hands-on experience. You can find certificate and associate degree programs available at Illinois community colleges, technical schools, and vocational schools.
ASE Certification
ASE certification is something that all service technicians and mechanics usually achieve at some point in their careers. It is not necessarily required, but employers often want to hire people who are working towards this important certification. In order to qualify to take the ASE certification exams you must have either two years of experience working as a mechanic or service tech, or have completed a training program and one year of related work experience.
ASE offers over 40 certification exams on a broad scope of topics related to the automotive industry. Some mechanics prefer to focus on one or two areas, like brakes or electrical systems while others choose take many exams and become certified as Master Mechanics which is ASE’s top level of certification.
A few examples of the certification tests that are available to auto techs include:
- Transit bus certification tests
- School bus certification tests
- Light repair certification test
- Damage analysis and estimating certification test
- Parts specialist certification tests
- Alternate fuels certification test
- Light truck certification tests
- Collision repair and refinish certification tests
- Engine machinist certification tests
- Truck equipment certification tests
Auto mechanic training in Illinois
Illinois has 29,510 working automotive service technicians and mechanics, according to BLS May 2025 OEWS data. That number tells you demand is real. It also tells you competition exists, and the candidates who get hired fastest usually have formal, accredited training behind them. This page lists every ASE-accredited program in Illinois, every manufacturer-sponsored program, and every high-school program in the state, so you can compare your options in one place.
What ASE accreditation means
ASE accreditation means a program has been reviewed and approved by the ASE Education Foundation, the recognized quality standard for automotive training in the United States. Employers know what it means. When you graduate from an accredited program, you do not have to explain your training to a hiring manager. The credential speaks for itself. All programs listed on this page carry ASE Education Foundation accreditation.
Manufacturer-sponsored programs: the highest-value option in Illinois
Five programs in Illinois go beyond standard ASE accreditation. They are manufacturer-sponsored, meaning a carmaker (Ford, GM, Honda, or Stellantis/Mopar) partners directly with the college. You alternate between classroom study and paid work at a sponsoring dealership. When you finish, you hold both a college credential and a manufacturer-specific certification. Dealers hire from these pipelines first because graduates already know the brand’s systems. That paid placement also means you earn while you learn.
All 5 manufacturer-sponsored programs in Illinois:
| Program | School | City | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford ASSET | Parkland College | Champaign | February 2028 |
| GM ASEP | Illinois Central College | East Peoria | July 2031 |
| GM ASEP | Triton College | River Grove | November 2029 |
| Honda PACT | Triton College | River Grove | November 2029 |
| Mopar CAP | Moraine Valley Community College | Palos Hills | December 2028 |
If a dealership tied to your preferred brand operates near you, research which program feeds that brand before you apply anywhere. Getting into one of these five programs is more competitive than a standard automotive technology program, but the payoff in starting salary and job placement is measurable.
All 35 post-secondary ASE-accredited programs in Illinois
The table below shows all 35 post-secondary programs in Illinois that carry ASE Education Foundation accreditation. Community colleges generally cost less per credit hour than private technical institutes, though no specific tuition figures are published here. Rows marked with a program name inside the Program column are manufacturer-sponsored and also appear in the dedicated section above.
| School | City | Series | Program | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn | Automobile | August 2028 | |
| College of Lake County | Grayslake | Automobile | January 2031 | |
| Harry S. Truman College | Chicago | Automobile | November 2028 | |
| Illinois Central College | East Peoria | Automobile | July 2031 | |
| Illinois Central College | East Peoria | Automobile | GM ASEP | July 2031 |
| Illinois Valley Community College | Oglesby | Automobile | August 2028 | |
| Joliet Junior College | Joliet | Automobile | December 2030 | |
| Kaskaskia College | Centralia | Automobile | January 2031 | |
| Kennedy-King College | Chicago | Automobile | May 2029 | |
| Kishwaukee College | Malta | Automobile | August 2024 | |
| Lewis & Clark Community College | Godfrey | Automobile | May 2029 | |
| Lincoln College of Technology | Melrose Park | Automobile | August 2028 | |
| McHenry County College | Crystal Lake | Automobile | November 2029 | |
| Mechanics Local 701 Training Fund | Aurora | Automobile | October 2024 | |
| Moraine Valley Community College | Palos Hills | Automobile | Mopar CAP | December 2028 |
| Moraine Valley Community College | Palos Hills | Automobile | December 2028 | |
| Morton College | Cicero | Automobile | May 2028 | |
| Oakton Community College | Des Plaines | Automobile | December 2030 | |
| Olney Central College | Olney | Automobile | December 2029 | |
| Parkland College | Champaign | Automobile | February 2028 | |
| Parkland College | Champaign | Automobile | Ford ASSET | February 2028 |
| Prairie State College | Chicago Heights | Automobile | November 2026 | |
| Rend Lake College | Ina | Automobile | February 2029 | |
| Richland Community College | Decatur | Automobile | February 2029 | |
| Richland Community College | Decatur | Collision Repair and Refinishing | July 2026 | |
| Rock Valley College | Rockford | Automobile | January 2028 | |
| Southeastern Illinois College | Harrisburg | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | June 2028 | |
| Southern Illinois University | Murphysboro | Automobile | June 2029 | |
| Triton College | River Grove | Automobile | Honda PACT | November 2029 |
| Triton College | River Grove | Automobile | GM ASEP | November 2029 |
| Triton College | River Grove | Automobile | November 2029 | |
| Universal Technical Institute | Lisle | Automobile | November 2026 | |
| Universal Technical Institute | Lisle | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | April 2029 | |
| Waubonsee Community College | Sugar Grove | Automobile | June 2028 | |
| Waubonsee Community College | Sugar Grove | Collision Repair and Refinishing | August 2028 |
Two programs, Kishwaukee College and Mechanics Local 701 Training Fund, show accreditation expiry dates in 2024. Contact those schools directly to confirm current accreditation status before you apply.
If you are still in high school: ASE-accredited programs for current students
This section is for you if you are currently enrolled in high school. These programs are secondary-level only. They are not open to adult career-changers. If you have already graduated, skip ahead to the post-secondary table above.
Getting started in high school puts you ahead. You build hands-on skills, earn dual credit at some schools, and walk into a post-secondary program or an entry-level shop job with experience most 18-year-olds do not have. Illinois has 25 ASE-accredited secondary programs, more than most states. One of them, at Parkland College, is an AYES program.
What AYES is and why it matters
AYES stands for Automotive Youth Educational Systems. It is not a general shop class. AYES is a structured pipeline that connects you directly to a franchised dealership while you are still in school. You get real work experience at a dealership, not just lab time. Dealers who sponsor AYES students often hire those same students after graduation. That path, from high school to a dealership job with a manufacturer connection, is one of the shortest routes into this industry. Only one Illinois high-school program carries AYES designation: the program at Parkland College in Champaign.
All 25 secondary ASE-accredited programs in Illinois:
| School | City | Series | Program | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Addison Trail High School | Addison | Automobile | June 2027 | |
| Buffalo Grove High School | Buffalo Grove | Automobile | September 2028 | |
| Curie Metro High School | Chicago | Automobile | June 2028 | |
| Elgin High School | Elgin | Automobile | December 2028 | |
| Elk Grove High School | Elk Grove | Automobile | February 2028 | |
| Fremd High School | Palatine | Automobile | June 2028 | |
| Grundy Area Vocational Center | Morris | Automobile | August 2024 | |
| Hoffman Estates High School | Hoffman Estates | Automobile | December 2026 | |
| Hononegah High School | Rockton | Automobile | April 2027 | |
| James B. Conant High School | Hoffman Estates | Automobile | December 2027 | |
| John Hersey High School | Arlington Heights | Automobile | February 2028 | |
| Lake County High School Technology Campus | Grayslake | Automobile | December 2030 | |
| Palatine High School | Palatine | Automobile | August 2027 | |
| Parkland College | Champaign | Automobile | AYES | February 2028 |
| Prospect High School | Mt. Prospect | Automobile | May 2028 | |
| Rolling Meadows High School | Rolling Meadows | Automobile | February 2029 | |
| Schaumburg High School | Schaumburg | Automobile | July 2027 | |
| South Central Illinois Regional Workforce Training and Innovation Center (SCI) | Litchfield | Automobile | June 2030 | |
| South Elgin High School | South Elgin | Automobile | June 2030 | |
| St. Charles East High School | St. Charles | Automobile | May 2030 | |
| St. Charles North High School | St. Charles | Automobile | June 2030 | |
| Thornton Township High School | Harvey | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | May 2029 | |
| Wheeling High School | Wheeling | Automobile | April 2027 | |
| Wilco Area Career Center | Romeoville | Automobile | March 2024 | |
| Willowbrook High School | Villa Park | Automobile | July 2027 |
Two programs, Grundy Area Vocational Center and Wilco Area Career Center, show accreditation expiry dates in 2024. Talk to your school counselor to confirm whether those programs are still active before you choose either one.
What mechanics earn in Illinois
Pay varies a lot depending on which type of work you do. All figures below come from BLS May 2025 OEWS data.
Automotive service technicians and mechanics
This is the core occupation: general repair and maintenance at dealerships, independent shops, and fleet operators. In Illinois, 29,510 people work in this role. The median wage is $49,170 per year. The bottom tenth of earners make around $34,190, which reflects entry-level positions. The top tenth earns $91,200 or more. The 75th percentile, where experienced technicians with ASE certifications tend to land, sits at $73,640. That gap between the median and the 75th percentile, roughly $24,000 per year, shows what specialization and certification can add to your income over time.
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
If you move into diesel and commercial vehicles, the pay is higher across every point of the range. Illinois employs 11,320 people in this occupation. The median is $64,340. Entry-level earners start around $44,760. Top earners reach $97,670. The diesel path requires additional training, but the programs at Southeastern Illinois College and Universal Technical Institute in Lisle both carry ASE accreditation in Medium/Heavy Duty Truck, which gives you a direct route into this higher-paying specialty.
Automotive body and related repairers
Collision repair is a separate trade from mechanical service. Illinois has 5,750 people working in this field. The median wage is $52,020. The 25th percentile is $48,150, meaning even newer workers in body repair often earn close to the median. The top earners reach $77,730. Two Illinois schools carry ASE accreditation in Collision Repair and Refinishing: Richland Community College in Decatur and Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove.
Automotive glass installers and repairers
This is the smallest specialty in the state, with 510 workers. The median wage is $48,860. Entry-level pay starts around $37,390. Top earners reach $77,760. Glass work is often a narrower career path, but it is a real option if you prefer focused, precise work.
How pay progresses through a career
Most technicians start near the 10th or 25th percentile while they build hours and certifications. ASE certification in specific areas (engine repair, brakes, electrical systems, for example) pushes you toward the median faster than time alone does. Moving from the median automotive tech wage of $49,170 to the 75th percentile at $73,640 typically takes five to ten years, a combination of experience and credentials. Switching to diesel at any stage restarts your pay at a higher base. The median diesel wage of $64,340 is $15,170 above the median automotive tech wage in Illinois.
How to choose between programs
Location matters for more than convenience. If you want to work at a GM dealer, a program with GM ASEP (Illinois Central College or Triton College) gives you a direct connection. If Ford is your goal, Parkland College’s Ford ASSET program is the only one in the state. Honda dealers in the Chicago area pull heavily from Triton College’s Honda PACT graduates. Mopar (Stellantis brands: Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram) connects through Moraine Valley Community College.
If no manufacturer-sponsored program fits your location or brand preference, any of the 30 standard ASE-accredited post-secondary programs in the table above gives you a solid foundation. Look at the accreditation expiry date. Programs with expiry dates in 2029, 2030, or 2031 have recently been reviewed and are in good standing. Programs expiring before 2027 are worth a quick call to confirm their renewal status.
If you want diesel and commercial vehicle work, only two Illinois programs cover that series: Southeastern Illinois College in Harrisburg and Universal Technical Institute in Lisle.
If collision repair interests you, start with Richland Community College or Waubonsee Community College. Both hold current ASE accreditation in that specific series.
Working as an Auto Mechanic in Illinois
Working as an auto mechanic in Illinois offers a variety of opportunities to use your knowledge and skills. From large cities like Chicago, Rockford and Springfield to small towns scattered throughout the state, mechanics are in high demand. With competitive salaries and plenty of job openings, this is a great career choice for those who want the chance to work with their hands and learn about the inner-workings of an automobile. In addition, many auto mechanics in Illinois are able to take advantage of continuing education courses and certifications that can help them enhance their skills and increase their earning potential. With excellent benefits, job stability and plenty of opportunities for advancement, this is a field with great potential.
Next steps
Use the tables above to find programs near you. Click the school name to go directly to its automotive program page. If a manufacturer-sponsored program is in reach, contact the admissions office early: those programs have limited seats and require a dealership sponsor before enrollment. For all other programs, confirm that the accreditation is current, ask about financial aid options, and visit the campus before you commit. The BLS data shows that the wage gap between an entry-level technician and a fully certified one in Illinois is real and wide. The training you choose now determines which side of that gap you land on.
Sources:
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/automotive-service-technicians-and-mechanics.htm
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, U.S. Department of Labor
- National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), https://www.ase.com/Home.aspx
- ASE Education Foundation, https://www.aseeducationfoundation.org/
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*This list may contain out-of-state and online schools that accept students from Illinois.