How to become an Automotive Technician or Mechanic in Nebraska
An automotive technician, also known as an auto mechanic, is a trained professional who specializes in the repair and maintenance of automobiles and other related vehicles. Automotive technicians use specialized tools and diagnostic equipment to inspect, diagnose, service, maintain, and repair cars and other motorized vehicles.
Requirements for becoming an Automotive Service Technician in Nebraska
In Nebraska, automotive service technicians must be licensed by the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (NDMV) in order to legally practice.
To obtain a license, applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Complete a minimum of two years of education or training from a qualified automotive school or program
- Pass the Automotive Service Technician Examination administered by the NDMV.
- Complete a 12-hour orientation course approved by the NDMV
- Submit an application for licensure and pay the applicable fees.
Topics covered in auto mechanic training programs may include:
- Air conditioning
- Engine performance
- Collision repair
- Auto maintenance
- Electrical systems
- Brakes
- Fuel systems
Once licensed, automotive technicians in Nebraska must complete continuing education courses to maintain their license.
Auto mechanic training in Nebraska
Nebraska has 4,560 working automotive service technicians, according to BLS May 2025 OEWS data. That gives you a real sense of the industry’s size here before you pick a program. The state has six ASE-accredited schools running 13 programs across auto repair, collision repair, and diesel. ASE accreditation means the ASE Education Foundation (a national standards body) has reviewed and approved the program’s curriculum, equipment, and instructor qualifications. This page lists every one of those programs so you can compare them yourself.
ASE-accredited post-secondary programs in Nebraska
ASE accreditation is the recognized quality standard for automotive training in the US. An accredited program has been audited against national benchmarks for shop equipment, curriculum, and instructor credentials. If a school cannot show current accreditation, that is a reason to ask questions before you enroll.
All 12 post-secondary programs in Nebraska are listed below. (The total number of programs in the state, across all levels, is 13. The remaining 1 is a secondary program covered in its own section further down this page.)
| School | City | Series | Program / notes | Level | Accreditation expires | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Community College | Hastings | Automobile | General automotive | Post-secondary | April 2028 | cccneb.edu/automotive |
| Metropolitan Community College | Omaha | Automobile | Mopar CAP (manufacturer-sponsored) | Post-secondary | November 2030 | mccneb.edu |
| Metropolitan Community College | Omaha | Automobile | Toyota T-TEN (manufacturer-sponsored) | Post-secondary | November 2030 | mccneb.edu |
| Metropolitan Community College | Omaha | Automobile | AYES (high-school-to-dealership pipeline, secondary and post-secondary) | Secondary and post-secondary | November 2028 | mccneb.edu |
| Metropolitan Community College | Omaha | Collision Repair and Refinishing | General collision repair | Secondary and post-secondary | December 2027 | mccneb.edu |
| Metropolitan Community College | Omaha | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | Diesel and commercial vehicle | Post-secondary | June 2028 | mccneb.edu |
| Northeast Community College | Norfolk | Automobile | General automotive | Post-secondary | March 2029 | northeast.edu |
| Southeast Community College | Milford | Automobile | GM ASEP (manufacturer-sponsored) | Post-secondary | October 2028 | southeast.edu |
| Southeast Community College | Milford | Automobile | General automotive | Post-secondary | October 2028 | southeast.edu |
| Southeast Community College | Milford | Automobile | Ford ASSET (manufacturer-sponsored) | Post-secondary | October 2028 | southeast.edu |
| Southeast Community College | Milford | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | Diesel and commercial vehicle | Post-secondary | October 2028 | southeast.edu |
| Southeast Community College – Lincoln | Lincoln | Automobile | General automotive | Post-secondary | June 2028 | college.sccm.cc.ne.us |
On cost: community colleges in Nebraska generally charge less per credit hour than private technical institutes. The table above does not include tuition figures because those change each academic year. Contact the school directly for current rates.
Manufacturer-sponsored programs in Nebraska
Four of the 12 post-secondary programs in Nebraska are manufacturer-sponsored, also called OEM programs (OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer, meaning the carmaker itself). These programs are worth knowing about separately because they work differently from a standard certificate course.
In an OEM program, you attend college classes and also work at a sponsoring dealership at the same time. The dealership pays you while you train. When you finish, you hold both a college credential and a manufacturer-specific certification recognized at that brand’s dealerships across the country. That combination, paid work experience plus brand certification, is something a general certificate program does not give you.
All 4 manufacturer-sponsored programs in Nebraska are listed below.
| Program name | School | City | Brand | Accreditation expires | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford ASSET | Southeast Community College | Milford | Ford | October 2028 | southeast.edu |
| GM ASEP | Southeast Community College | Milford | General Motors | October 2028 | southeast.edu |
| Mopar CAP | Metropolitan Community College | Omaha | Stellantis (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram) | November 2030 | mccneb.edu |
| Toyota T-TEN | Metropolitan Community College | Omaha | Toyota | November 2030 | mccneb.edu |
Each program has a specific application process that runs through the sponsoring dealership network, not just through the college. If you are interested in one of these programs, contact the college first to get the current list of participating dealers in Nebraska.
Starting your training while still in high school
This section is for you if you are currently enrolled in a Nebraska high school and want to start building automotive skills before graduation.
There is 1 ASE-accredited secondary automotive program in Nebraska. It is at Ralston High School in Ralston, covering the Automobile series. Its accreditation runs through October 2026. Because it is a secondary program, it is open to current high-school students, not to adult career-changers enrolling independently.
In addition, Metropolitan Community College in Omaha runs an AYES program. AYES stands for Automotive Youth Educational Systems. It is a structured pipeline that connects high-school automotive students to dealership jobs after graduation. AYES is not a general shop class. It includes a defined curriculum, work-based learning at a partnering dealership, and a clear path to a full-time technician position when you finish. The MCC AYES program spans both secondary and post-secondary levels, so it can follow you from high school into your college credential.
If you are in high school now and your school does not have an ASE-accredited program, ask your counselor whether your district has a partnership with MCC’s AYES program. Starting in high school puts you ahead. You enter a post-secondary program with documented shop hours already on your record, and dealerships that sponsor AYES students often hire those same students first.
ASE Certification
If you want to advance in the automotive industry, you’ll need to obtain an ASE certificate. This certificate is offered by the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). The ASE certification test assesses the knowledge and skills of automotive professionals. By obtaining this certificate, you’ll demonstrate your commitment to excellence in automotive maintenance and repair.
There are over forty different ASE tests, each pertaining to a different automotive system or subsystem, some of these tests include:
- Light truck certification tests
- Truck equipment certification tests
- Transit bus certification tests
- Light repair certification test
- Parts specialist certification tests
- Alternate fuels certification test
- Engine machinist certification tests
- Collision repair and refinish certification tests
- Damage analysis and estimating certification test
ASE certification requires one or more exams that cover specific knowledge areas related to the automotive field. After successfully passing an ASE exam, a person is considered certified in that particular area.
What mechanics earn in Nebraska
The numbers below come from BLS May 2025 OEWS data. They cover four occupations in Nebraska. Pay varies quite a bit depending on what you specialize in and how far along you are in your career.
Automotive service technicians and mechanics
This is the core occupation for most graduates of the programs listed on this page. Nebraska has 4,560 people working in this role.
- Median pay: $50,560 per year
- Mean pay: $55,430 per year
- Bottom 10 percent: $36,770
- 25th percentile: $42,580
- 75th percentile: $62,710
- Top 10 percent: $79,990
The gap between the 10th and 90th percentile is over $43,000. That gap reflects real differences in experience, ASE certifications, and specialization. A technician who earns A-series ASE certifications and moves into a specialty such as advanced diagnostics or hybrid systems typically moves toward the upper end of that range over time.
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
Nebraska has 2,720 people in this occupation. Diesel work pays more at every level compared to general automotive repair, based on BLS May 2025 OEWS data.
- Median pay: $59,140 per year
- Mean pay: $59,790 per year
- Bottom 10 percent: $44,010
- 25th percentile: $49,430
- 75th percentile: $65,200
- Top 10 percent: $79,400
The median for diesel mechanics in Nebraska ($59,140) is about $8,600 higher than the median for general automotive technicians. Both Metropolitan Community College in Omaha and Southeast Community College in Milford run ASE-accredited Medium/Heavy Duty Truck programs if this path interests you.
Automotive body and related repairers
Nebraska employs 1,120 people in collision repair. This occupation requires different skills from mechanical repair, and the pay reflects that.
- Median pay: $54,130 per year
- Mean pay: $55,960 per year
- Bottom 10 percent: $36,860
- 25th percentile: $45,790
- 75th percentile: $57,860
- Top 10 percent: $72,730
If collision repair interests you, Metropolitan Community College in Omaha is the only school in Nebraska with an ASE-accredited Collision Repair and Refinishing program.
Automotive glass installers and repairers
This is a smaller specialty. Nebraska has 70 people working in this role, according to BLS May 2025 OEWS data.
- Median pay: $46,630 per year
- Mean pay: $45,640 per year
- Bottom 10 percent: $39,570
- 25th percentile: $46,050
- 75th percentile: $47,910
- Top 10 percent: $48,250
The pay range for this specialty is much tighter than for other roles. The difference between the 10th and 90th percentile is only about $8,700. This occupation does not have a dedicated ASE-accredited program in Nebraska; most practitioners enter through general automotive programs or on-the-job training.
How pay progresses over a career
Across all four occupations, starting pay tends to cluster near the 10th or 25th percentile. Movement toward the median and beyond is tied to certifications, specialization, and years of documented experience. ASE certification is the most direct tool you have for demonstrating skill to an employer. The manufacturer-sponsored OEM programs give you brand-specific credentials on top of that, which can accelerate the move from entry pay to mid-career pay at a dealership that values that brand.
The data also shows that diesel and truck work earns more at the median than general automotive work in Nebraska. If you are deciding between a general automotive program and a diesel program, that difference is worth factoring in from the start.
Working as an Auto Mechanic in Nebraska
Job openings for auto mechanics can be found in repair shops, dealerships, and other automotive service centers. Automotive technicians may also find employment with government agencies, fire departments, and police departments.
How to choose between programs
The right program depends on three things: where you want to work, what brand you want to work on, and how quickly you want to earn while you train.
If you want to work at a Ford dealership, Ford ASSET at Southeast Community College in Milford puts you in a Ford shop while you study. The same logic applies to GM ASEP for General Motors, Mopar CAP for Stellantis brands, and Toyota T-TEN for Toyota and Lexus. These are the four highest-value options on this page because they combine income, credentials, and a job connection at the same time.
If you do not know which brand you want to focus on yet, a general automotive program at Central Community College, Northeast Community College, or one of the Southeast Community College campuses gives you a broad foundation. You can earn ASE certifications after you graduate and move into a specialty from there.
If diesel and commercial vehicles are your goal, both Metropolitan Community College and Southeast Community College in Milford have accredited Medium/Heavy Duty Truck programs. The BLS wage data shows diesel pays better at the median than general automotive work in Nebraska, so this is a path worth considering from the start.
If you are in high school now and you are in or near Omaha, look into the AYES program at Metropolitan Community College. Getting a dealership connection while you are still in school is an advantage you cannot recreate after the fact.
Next steps
Visit the website of any school listed above to request current program details, application deadlines, and enrollment requirements. For manufacturer-sponsored programs, ask the school for the contact at the participating dealer network in Nebraska. That dealer contact is often the person who controls the sponsored seat, so reaching out early matters. The BLS May 2025 OEWS wage data for Nebraska is publicly available at bls.gov if you want to dig deeper into the occupation numbers before you decide.