Becoming an Automotive Technician or Mechanic in Michigan
Becoming an automotive technician, diesel engine mechanic or body and collision specialist in Michigan is simple: just complete a secondary or post-secondary program and secure an entry-level job. You’ll have the opportunity to develop your skills while still working under the mentorship of accomplished masters. The state provides degree programs as well as shorter certificate courses; if you decide to pursue certification, you would be rewarded with even greater earning potential.
Requirements for becoming an Automotive Service Technician in Michigan
You must have an automotive technology certificate issued by the Secretary of State to work as an auto mechanic in Michigan.
Many employers prefer that you have graduated from a post-secondary educational program in automotive technology or a related field. Additionally, you may need to pass an examination to become certified as an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) technician and/or master technician.
To receive your certificate you must have completed an approved program of at least 1,800 hours. The programs must be offered by a college or technical school and they must include coursework in brakes, fuel systems, electrical systems, engine repair, suspension and steering systems.
Auto mechanic training in Michigan
Michigan has more ASE-accredited automotive programs than almost any other state, which makes sense given its history as the center of the American auto industry. The ASE Education Foundation accredits programs that meet a national quality standard for automotive training. Right now, 109 schools across Michigan hold that accreditation, covering 146 separate programs. This page lists every one of them so you can compare your options in one place.
Whether you are finishing high school or ready to enroll in a college program today, there is an accredited path for you in Michigan. Some programs also include a paid placement at a dealership while you study. Read on to find the right fit.
ASE Certifications
Automotive Excellence certification is a greatly sought-after and respected honor in the automotive world. To obtain this esteemed recognition, you must pass an ASE certification exam relevant to your area of expertise and then maintain it every five years through reexamination or recertification.
With over 40 ASE certification exams, you have numerous options to choose from. Some of the available tests 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
Manufacturer-sponsored programs: the highest-value option
Three programs in Michigan combine college coursework with paid, hands-on work at a franchised dealership and manufacturer-specific certification. These are called OEM programs (OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer, meaning the carmaker itself sponsors your training). They are harder to get into than a standard college program, but the outcome is materially better: you graduate with a degree or certificate, dealership experience on your resume, and a credential tied directly to a specific brand.
Two brands run these programs in Michigan: General Motors (GM ASEP) and Ford (Ford ASSET). All 3 Michigan OEM programs are listed below.
| School | City | Program | Series | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta College | University Center | GM ASEP | Automobile | December 2025 |
| Henry Ford College | Dearborn | Ford ASSET | Automobile | December 2029 |
| Macomb Community College | Warren | GM ASEP | Automobile | December 2028 |
Note that Delta College’s accreditation expires in December 2025. Contact the school directly to confirm the program’s current status before you apply.
To apply for either GM ASEP or Ford ASSET, you typically contact the sponsoring dealership first, not the college. The dealership nominates you, then you enroll at the college. Each manufacturer’s website has a dealership locator to help you start that conversation.
All post-secondary programs in Michigan
Below are all 23 post-secondary ASE-accredited programs in Michigan. These are the programs you can enroll in as an adult. They are offered at community colleges and universities across the state. Community colleges generally cost less per credit hour than private technical institutes, though specific costs vary by school and you should contact each institution directly for current tuition information.
Two programs overlap with the manufacturer-sponsored section above (Delta College GM ASEP and Macomb Community College GM ASEP, plus Henry Ford College Ford ASSET). They appear here as well because they are part of the full post-secondary count.
All 23 post-secondary programs in Michigan:
| School | City | Series | Program | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auto Diesel Institute of Michigan – Baker College | Owosso | Automobile | Standard | June 2028 |
| Auto Diesel Institute of Michigan – Baker College | Owosso | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | Standard | June 2027 |
| Bay College | Escanaba | Automobile | Standard | May 2028 |
| Delta College | University Center | Automobile | Standard | December 2025 |
| Delta College | University Center | Automobile | GM ASEP | December 2025 |
| Ferris State University | Big Rapids | Automobile | Standard | February 2028 |
| Ferris State University | Big Rapids | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | Standard | November 2030 |
| Grand Rapids Community College | Grand Rapids | Automobile | Standard | June 2029 |
| Henry Ford College | Dearborn | Automobile | Standard | December 2029 |
| Henry Ford College | Dearborn | Automobile | Ford ASSET | December 2029 |
| Kalamazoo Valley Community College | Kalamazoo | Automobile | Standard | June 2025 |
| Kirtland Community College | Grayling | Automobile | Standard | May 2029 |
| Lansing Community College | Lansing | Automobile | Standard | December 2028 |
| Macomb Community College | Warren | Automobile | Standard | December 2028 |
| Macomb Community College | Warren | Automobile | GM ASEP | December 2028 |
| Mid Michigan College | Harrison | Automobile | Standard | June 2028 |
| Mott Community College | Flint | Automobile | Standard | January 2030 |
| Northern Michigan University | Marquette | Automobile | Standard | July 2029 |
| Oakland Community College | Auburn Hills | Automobile | Standard | September 2026 |
| Southwestern Michigan College | Dowagiac | Automobile | Standard | March 2030 |
| Washtenaw Community College | Ann Arbor | Automobile | Standard | March 2029 |
| Washtenaw Community College | Ann Arbor | Collision Repair and Refinishing | Standard | December 2029 |
| Wayne County Community College District | Taylor | Automobile | Standard | June 2027 |
Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s accreditation expired in June 2025 and Delta College’s expires in December 2025. Contact both schools directly to confirm the current standing of their programs before you apply.
Programs for current high school students
If you are still in high school, you may be able to start automotive training right now, through your school or a nearby career and technical education center. This section is written for you as a high school student. These programs are not open to adult career changers; they are specifically for students enrolled in a Michigan secondary school.
There are 123 ASE-accredited secondary programs across Michigan. That number includes programs in automobile service, collision repair, and medium/heavy duty truck. Getting into one of these programs costs you nothing extra, because they run through your school district.
AYES programs: a direct pipeline to a dealership career
Twenty-two of Michigan’s 123 secondary programs carry the AYES designation. AYES stands for Automotive Youth Educational Systems. It is not a general shop class. AYES is a structured program that pairs your school-based training with paid work experience at a franchised dealership while you are still in high school. When you finish, you have real dealership hours on your record, which puts you ahead of most applicants for entry-level technician jobs.
No other state directory lists Michigan’s AYES programs in full. Below, the AYES programs are marked clearly in the complete table so you can find them at a glance.
All 123 secondary programs in Michigan
All 123 secondary ASE-accredited programs in Michigan are listed below. Programs marked “AYES” in the Program column are part of the Automotive Youth Educational Systems pipeline described above.
| School | City | Series | Program | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adlai Stevenson High School | Sterling Heights | Automobile | Standard | May 2027 |
| Airport Senior High School | Carleton | Automobile | Standard | February 2027 |
| Allegan County Area Technical & Education Center | Allegan | Automobile | Standard | August 2027 |
| Allen Park High School | Allen Park | Automobile | Standard | July 2028 |
| Alma High School | Alma | Automobile | Standard | June 2028 |
| Alpena High School | Alpena | Automobile | Standard | August 2024 |
| Anchor Bay High School | Ira | Automobile | Standard | April 2029 |
| Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center | Bay City | Automobile | Standard | May 2028 |
| Bedford High School | Temperance | Automobile | Standard | November 2030 |
| Branch Area Career Center | Coldwater | Automobile | AYES | February 2030 |
| Branch Area Career Center | Coldwater | Collision Repair and Refinishing | Standard | February 2030 |
| Brandywine High School | Niles | Automobile | Standard | July 2029 |
| Breithaupt Career & Technical Center | Detroit | Automobile | Standard | June 2028 |
| Brighton High School | Brighton | Automobile | AYES | July 2029 |
| Buchanan High School | Buchanan | Automobile | AYES | April 2028 |
| Calhoun Area Career Center | Battle Creek | Automobile | Standard | June 2027 |
| Calhoun Area Career Center | Battle Creek | Collision Repair and Refinishing | Standard | December 2028 |
| Calhoun Area Career Center | Battle Creek | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | Standard | June 2030 |
| Canton High School | Canton | Automobile | AYES | April 2029 |
| Canton High School | Canton | Collision Repair and Refinishing | Standard | October 2027 |
| Career Preparation Center | Sterling Heights | Collision Repair and Refinishing | Standard | May 2027 |
| Careerline Tech Center | Holland | Automobile | Standard | March 2027 |
| Careerline Tech Center | Holland | Collision Repair and Refinishing | Standard | May 2026 |
| Charlton Heston Academy | St. Helen | Automobile | Standard | February 2029 |
| Cheboygan Area High School | Cheboygan | Automobile | Standard | June 2029 |
| Chippewa Valley High School | Clinton Township | Automobile | Standard | June 2027 |
| Clare-Gladwin RESD | Clare | Automobile | Standard | February 2027 |
| Clinton County Regional Ed Service Agency | St. Johns | Automobile | Standard | June 2029 |
| Comstock High School | Kalamazoo | Automobile | Standard | June 2028 |
| Copper Country Intermediate School | Hancock | Automobile | Standard | April 2030 |
| Cousino High School | Warren | Automobile | Standard | June 2029 |
| Davison Senior High School | Davison | Automobile | AYES | November 2026 |
| Delta-Schoolcraft ISD | Escanaba | Automobile | Standard | June 2029 |
| Dickinson-Iron Technical Center | Kingsford | Automobile | Standard | May 2029 |
| Dowagiac Union High School | Dowagiac | Automobile | Standard | August 2028 |
| East Jordan High School | East Jordan | Automobile | Standard | February 2028 |
| Eisenhower High School | Shelby Township | Automobile | Standard | May 2027 |
| F.V. Pankow Tech Center | Clinton Township | Automobile | AYES | February 2027 |
| F.V. Pankow Tech Center | Clinton Township | Collision Repair and Refinishing | Standard | April 2028 |
| Farmington High School | Farmington | Automobile | Standard | February 2028 |
| Fitzgerald High School | Warren | Automobile | AYES | March 2030 |
| Fordson High School | Dearborn | Automobile | Standard | May 2028 |
| Gaylord High School | Gaylord | Automobile | Standard | March 2030 |
| Genesee Career Institute | Flint | Automobile | Standard | December 2029 |
| Genesee Career Institute | Flint | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | Standard | April 2030 |
| Grand Blanc High School | Grand Blanc | Automobile | Standard | June 2030 |
| H.H. Dow High School | Midland | Automobile | Standard | October 2026 |
| Hartland High School | Hartland | Automobile | Standard | December 2027 |
| Henry Ford II High School | Sterling Heights | Automobile | Standard | September 2029 |
| Huron Area Technical Center | Bad Axe | Automobile | Standard | September 2029 |
| Huron High School | Ann Arbor | Automobile | Standard | June 2028 |
| Huron High School | New Boston | Automobile | Standard | August 2027 |
| Huron High School | New Boston | Collision Repair and Refinishing | Standard | August 2027 |
| IOSCO Regional Educational Service Agency | Tawas City | Automobile | Standard | June 2028 |
| Jackson Area Career Center | Jackson | Automobile | Standard | February 2029 |
| Jackson Area Career Center | Jackson | Collision Repair and Refinishing | Standard | March 2029 |
| Jefferson High School | Monroe | Automobile | Standard | February 2028 |
| Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA) | Kalamazoo | Automobile | AYES | January 2026 |
| Kent Career Technical Center | Grand Rapids | Automobile | AYES | June 2029 |
| Kent Career Technical Center | Grand Rapids | Collision Repair and Refinishing | Standard | June 2028 |
| Kent Career Technical Center | Grand Rapids | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | Standard | May 2030 |
| LISD Tech Center | Adrian | Automobile | AYES | December 2029 |
| LISD Tech Center | Adrian | Collision Repair and Refinishing | Standard | August 2028 |
| Lakeshore High School | Stevensville | Automobile | AYES | November 2029 |
| Lakeview High School | St. Clair Shores | Automobile | Standard | March 2029 |
| Lapeer County Education & Technology Center | Attica | Automobile | Standard | November 2028 |
| Lapeer County Education & Technology Center | Attica | Collision Repair and Refinishing | Standard | June 2029 |
| Lapeer County Education & Technology Center | Attica | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | Standard | November 2028 |
| Lincoln High School | Warren | Automobile | AYES | December 2026 |
| Livonia Career Technical Center | Livonia | Automobile | Standard | February 2027 |
| Marquette Alger Regional Education Service Agency | Marquette | Automobile | Standard | July 2029 |
| Mecosta Osceola Career Center | Big Rapids | Automobile | Standard | September 2029 |
| Mecosta Osceola Career Center | Big Rapids | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | Standard | February 2029 |
| Menominee High School | Menominee | Automobile | Standard | April 2029 |
| Milford High School | Highland | Automobile | Standard | June 2028 |
| Monroe High School | Monroe | Automobile | Standard | March 2029 |
| Montcalm Area Career Center | Sidney | Automobile | Standard | September 2027 |
| Montcalm Area Career Center | Sidney | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | Standard | September 2027 |
| Muskegon Area Career Tech Center | Muskegon | Automobile | Standard | April 2028 |
| Muskegon Area Career Tech Center | Muskegon | Collision Repair and Refinishing | Standard | April 2029 |
| New Haven High School | New Haven | Automobile | Standard | January 2028 |
| Newaygo County Career Technical Center | Fremont | Automobile | Standard | December 2024 |
| Newaygo County Career Technical Center | Fremont | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | Standard | May 2026 |
| Niles High School | Niles | Automobile | Standard | February 2026 |
| North Farmington High School | Farmington Hills | Automobile | Standard | April 2028 |
| Northwest Education Services – Career Tech Center | Traverse City | Automobile | Standard | January 2028 |
| Northwest Education Services – Career Tech Center | Traverse City | Collision Repair and Refinishing | Standard | December 2029 |
| Oakland Technical Center, NW Campus | Clarkston | Automobile | AYES | January 2027 |
| Oakland Technical Center, NW Campus | Clarkston | Collision Repair and Refinishing | Standard | January 2027 |
| Oakland Technical Center, SE Campus | Royal Oak | Automobile | AYES | February 2027 |
| Oakland Technical Center, SE Campus | Royal Oak | Collision Repair and Refinishing | AYES | April 2030 |
| Oakland Technical Center, SW Campus | Wixom | Automobile | AYES | September 2031 |
| Oakland Technical Center, SW Campus | Wixom | Collision Repair and Refinishing | Standard | May 2030 |
| Oakland Technical Center, SW Campus | Wixom | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | Standard | January 2031 |
| Oxford High School | Oxford | Automobile | Standard | June 2028 |
| Petoskey High School | Petoskey | Automobile | Standard | February 2027 |
| Pinckney High School | Pinckney | Automobile | Standard | March 2030 |
| Pioneer High School | Ann Arbor | Automobile | Standard | June 2028 |
| Regional Career Tech. Center | Ypsilanti | Automobile | Standard | June 2026 |
| Regional Career Tech. Center | Ypsilanti | Collision Repair and Refinishing | AYES | January 2025 |
| Roseville High School | Roseville | Automobile | Standard | April 2031 |
| Saginaw Career Complex | Saginaw | Automobile | Standard | May 2029 |
| Saginaw Career Complex | Saginaw | Collision Repair and Refinishing | AYES | October 2027 |
| Saline High School | Saline | Automobile | AYES | February 2030 |
| Sanilac Career Center | Peck | Automobile | Standard | October 2027 |
| Sault Area Career Center | Sault Ste. Marie | Automobile | Standard | June 2028 |
| South Lake High School | St. Clair Shores | Automobile | Standard | May 2031 |
| St. Clair Technical Education Center | Marysville | Automobile | Standard | June 2028 |
| St. Clair Technical Education Center | Marysville | Collision Repair and Refinishing | Standard | February 2029 |
| St. Joseph County ISD – Career and Technical Education | Centreville | Automobile | Standard | June 2030 |
| Theodore Roosevelt High School | Wyandotte | Automobile | Standard | March 2027 |
| Thurston High School | Redford | Automobile | Standard | April 2030 |
| Trenton High School | Trenton | Automobile | Standard | August 2028 |
| Tuscola Technology Center | Caro | Automobile | Standard | December 2029 |
| Tuscola Technology Center | Caro | Collision Repair and Refinishing | Standard | December 2029 |
| Tuscola Technology Center | Caro | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | Standard | April 2029 |
| Van Buren Technology Center | Lawrence | Automobile | AYES | June 2030 |
| West Shore ESD | Scottville | Automobile | Standard | May 2027 |
| Wexford-Missaukee Area Career Tech Center | Cadillac | Automobile | Standard | July 2030 |
| Wexford-Missaukee Area Career Tech Center | Cadillac | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | Standard | November 2025 |
| William D. Ford Career Technical Center | Westland | Automobile | AYES | March 2027 |
| William D. Ford Career Technical Center | Westland | Collision Repair and Refinishing | Standard | November 2029 |
| Wilson Talent Center | Mason | Automobile | AYES | August 2028 |
Several programs in this table have accreditation expiration dates that have already passed or are very close: Alpena High School (August 2024), Newaygo County Career Technical Center Automobile (December 2024), Regional Career Tech. Center Collision Repair and Refinishing AYES (January 2025), Kalamazoo KRESA AYES (January 2026), and Wexford-Missaukee Medium/Heavy Duty Truck (November 2025). Contact each school directly to confirm its program is still active before you pursue it.
What you can earn as an auto technician in Michigan
Michigan’s auto industry means strong demand for trained technicians across multiple specialties. The wages below come from BLS May 2025 OEWS data and cover four separate job roles. Pay varies a lot depending on which specialty you work in, how many years of experience you have, and where in the state you work.
Automotive service technicians and mechanics
This is the most common role. Michigan has 22,280 people working in this occupation. The median wage is $54,120 per year. That means half of all technicians earn more than that and half earn less. If you are just starting out, the 10th percentile wage is $36,110, which is typical for entry-level work with little experience. Once you build skills and certifications, pay rises: the 25th percentile is $43,680, the 75th percentile is $67,100, and the top 10 percent earn $79,060 or more.
The path from entry level to the top of the pay scale usually involves ASE certification, specialty training (like electric vehicle systems or diesel), and dealership or fleet experience. Each additional ASE credential you earn tends to move you up that range.
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
If you train in medium and heavy-duty trucks, you enter a smaller but better-paying field. Michigan employs 9,020 people in this role. The median wage is $61,420, which is about $7,300 more per year than the general automotive technician median. The 10th percentile starts at $45,240, well above the entry point for general auto work. The top 10 percent earn $81,010. If you are thinking about a truck-focused program, the wage premium over standard auto work is real and consistent across the pay range.
Automotive body and related repairers
Collision repair is a separate trade from mechanical work, and the pay reflects that. Michigan has 5,010 people working in this role. The median wage is $56,880 per year. The 10th percentile is $37,360 and the 90th percentile is $84,050, which is the highest top-end wage of any automotive role shown here. The wide spread between the bottom and the top means that experienced, skilled body repair technicians can earn very well, particularly at high-volume collision centers.
Automotive glass installers and repairers
This is the smallest specialty, with 580 people employed in Michigan. The median wage is $46,860. The 90th percentile is $65,240, which is lower than the ceiling for the other three roles. Glass work is a narrower trade. It can be a good fit if you prefer a focused, repeatable type of work, but the long-term earning potential is more limited than mechanical or body work.
How pay progresses across a career
Entry-level technicians in Michigan typically start somewhere around the 10th-to-25th percentile range for their specialty. For general auto work, that means roughly $36,000 to $44,000. With two to four years of experience, an ASE certification in one or two areas, and a stable dealership or shop job, you can expect to move into the median range. Experienced technicians with master-level ASE certification or a specialty in diesel, fleet, or collision routinely land in the 75th percentile range, which is $67,000 to $73,000 across the main roles. The top earners, at the 90th percentile, are generally shop leads, master technicians, or specialists with ten or more years of experience.
All figures in this section are from BLS May 2025 OEWS data and reflect Michigan-specific wages.
Working as an Auto Mechanic in Michigan
The state of Michigan has several options for automotive technicians to move up in the field. With various educational and certification options, individuals can become certified specialists in their chosen field and even pursue management roles within the industry. Aspiring technicians who follow through with education and training programs can look forward to excellent job opportunities, stability, and a promising career outlook.
Q&A with an Expert
We asked Steve McElfresh, president at Universal Technical Institute-Orlando, for insight into today’s automotive industry and the education driving auto mechanics toward the right career path.
Steve received his bachelor’s in business management from Pennsylvania State University. Prior to joining UTI-Orlando, he served as Director of Education/Operations at the Universal Technical Institute campus in Exton, PA.
Q: Why would you recommend this field / profession to someone?
A: Transportation service technician jobs pay well, can’t be outsourced or off-shored, and offer opportunities to move up. So graduates of technical and vocational programs like UTI’s can do more than just pay back their student loans; they can build great careers, take care of their families and pursue their dreams.
[VERIFY-STALE: Demand for skilled technicians is very strong. By the year 2022, the U.S. Department of Labor projects there will be more than 1.2 million jobs (1,248,200 to be exact) in the automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine industries. To reach that total, the transportation industry will have to fill more than 37,000 technician job openings on average every year.]
If you want to do something you love, getting the right training can position you well for employment after graduation.
Q: Are there any specific licensing requirements in Michigan for someone interested in an auto mechanic school?
A: Some states do not require a license to service vehicles in-state. However, Michigan has a certification requirement: Section 4 of the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act (MCL 257.1304). This requires repair facilities to employ persons properly certified for the type of repairs performed by the facility. Holders of valid mechanic trainee permits must work under the supervision of a properly certified mechanic. Individuals who hold certification(s) issued by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) should be aware that ASE certification alone does not qualify you as a state-certified mechanic in Michigan.
How to read the accreditation expiration dates
Every program in the tables above has an accreditation expiration date from the ASE Education Foundation directory. That date is when the school must renew its accreditation, not when the program closes. Most schools renew well before the deadline. If a date shown here is already past, the program may still be active under a renewal in progress, or it may have closed. Always check with the school directly before you apply. This page reflects the ASE Education Foundation directory as of the date it was compiled and is updated on a rolling basis as new data becomes available.
Next steps
Use the tables above to find programs near you. If you are in high school, check whether your district has an AYES program or a career and technical education center on the secondary list. If you are ready to enroll as an adult, start with the post-secondary table and compare schools by location and program series. If you want the best possible start in a GM or Ford dealership career, apply directly to one of the three manufacturer-sponsored programs at Delta College, Henry Ford College, or Macomb Community College. Contact each school’s admissions office to ask about current enrollment, schedules, and requirements.
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, Occupational Employment and Wages, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes493023.htm
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/automotive-service-technicians-and-mechanics.htm
- National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, https://www.ase.com/Home.aspx