Becoming an Automotive Technician or Mechanic in Nevada
If you have a deep interest in cars and are seeking to forge ahead with an automotive career in Nevada, then rest assured as there is a lucrative opportunity awaiting you. From automotive technicians, body repairers and glass installers/repairers to truck or diesel mechanics – the job choices are plentiful!
Requirements for becoming an Automotive Service Technician in Nevada
You do not need to get a professional license to work as an auto mechanic in this state. However, you must hold a high school diploma or equivalent as well as possess relevant skills and knowledge. Additionally, the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires all auto technicians to pass an emissions test in order to work on emission-related repairs.
Employers prefer to hire automotive mechanics and technicians who have completed a formal training program in automotive technology or have gained experience in the field. The following topics may be covered in an automotive technology program:
- Automatic transmissions
- Suspension systems
- Steering systems
- Fuel systems
- Brakes
- Automotive fuel
- Engine repair
- Engine performance
- Oil changes
- Air conditioning
Auto Mechanic Training in Nevada
Nevada has 7,420 working automotive service technicians, according to BLS May 2025 OEWS data. That workforce is spread across Las Vegas, Reno, Carson City, and the rural corridors in between. If you want to join it, formal training is the fastest path. This page lists every ASE-accredited program in the state, explains what ASE accreditation means, shows you the high-school option that leads directly to a dealership job, and gives you real wage figures by role so you can plan your career.
ASE Accreditation
ASE stands for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. When a school earns ASE Education Foundation accreditation, it means the program has been reviewed against a national standard for equipment, curriculum, and instructor qualifications. Accreditation is not permanent. Schools must renew it on a set schedule, so the expiration dates in the tables below matter. A program with a current accreditation date is a program that has passed a recent review.
Choosing an accredited program also matters for your career. Many employers, especially franchised dealerships, prefer or require graduates from accredited schools. Some manufacturer training programs will only accept students who come from accredited backgrounds.
There are over 40 ASE certification exams available, some of which include:
- Truck equipment certification tests
- Auto maintenance and light repair certification test
- Engine machinist certification tests
- Parts specialist certification tests
- Damage analysis and estimating certification test
- Collision repair and refinish certification tests
- Light truck certification tests
- School bus certification tests
- Transit bus certification tests
- Alternate fuels certification test
Post-Secondary Programs in Nevada
All 3 post-secondary ASE-accredited automobile programs in Nevada are listed below. These are the programs open to adults and career-changers. Community colleges generally cost less per credit hour than private technical institutes, though no tuition figures are published here because costs change frequently and vary by residency status.
| School | City | Series | Level | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Training Institute | Las Vegas | Automobile | Post-secondary | January 2028 |
| Truckee Meadows Community College | Reno | Automobile | Post-secondary | December 2029 |
| Western Nevada College | Carson City | Automobile | Post-secondary | July 2026 |
Note on Western Nevada College: This program’s accreditation expires July 2026. Contact the school directly to confirm renewal status before you apply.
An accreditation expiration date is not a graduation deadline. It is the date by which the school must complete its next review. Programs that are mid-review often remain fully valid. Still, if a date is close or past, call the school and ask for the current accreditation status before you commit.
Manufacturer-Sponsored Programs
Several major automakers run their own training pipelines, sometimes called OEM programs (OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer, meaning the company that built the vehicle). Examples include Ford’s FACT program, GM’s Automotive Service Educational Program (ASEP), Toyota’s T-TEN, and Honda’s PACT. These programs are partnerships between a manufacturer and a community college or technical school.
The benefit is direct: you train on the brand’s specific vehicles, tools, and diagnostic software. Dealerships affiliated with that brand often sponsor students with paid part-time work during training. Graduates move into dealership jobs with brand certifications already completed.
No manufacturer-sponsored program in Nevada is currently listed in the ASE Education Foundation directory. That does not mean none exist. Manufacturers update their school partnerships regularly. Check directly with Nevada dealerships of your preferred brand to ask whether they sponsor students at a local school, or visit the manufacturer’s technician training page for a current list of partner schools near you.
High-School Programs in Nevada
If you are currently in high school, you have two ASE-accredited options in Nevada. These programs are only open to enrolled secondary students. They are not available to adult career-changers. Both programs run on a school-year schedule inside your existing high-school structure.
| School | City | Program type | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra Nevada Job Corps Center | Reno | Secondary automobile | July 2027 |
| Southeast Career Technical Academy | Las Vegas | Secondary automobile / AYES | July 2030 |
Sierra Nevada Job Corps Center
Job Corps is a free federal program for young people between the ages of 16 and 24. At the Sierra Nevada center in Reno, you train in automotive service alongside earning your high school diploma or GED if you need one. The program is residential, meaning you live on campus during training. This is worth knowing if you do not live near Reno: you do not need to relocate on your own budget.
Southeast Career Technical Academy and AYES
Southeast Career Technical Academy (SECTA) in Las Vegas holds an AYES designation. AYES stands for Automotive Youth Educational Systems. It is not a general shop class. AYES is a structured pipeline that connects your high-school training directly to franchised dealerships.
Here is what that means in practice. You train in an ASE-accredited curriculum while you are still in school. A local dealership affiliated with the AYES program monitors your progress and can offer you a paid part-time position while you finish your diploma. When you graduate, you have documented shop experience, a relationship with a real employer, and a clear path to a full-time technician role. No other structure in Nevada high-school automotive education works this way.
If you are in the Las Vegas area and serious about becoming a technician, this is worth investigating early in your high-school career. Talk to the program coordinator at SECTA about how to apply and which dealerships participate.
Job Outlook and Salary Expectations
All figures below come from BLS May 2025 OEWS data. They cover workers in Nevada specifically, not national averages.
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
This is the core occupation for most graduates of the programs above. Nevada has 7,420 people working in this role. The median annual wage is $48,290, meaning half of all technicians in the state earn more than that and half earn less. The bottom 10 percent earn around $33,500. The top 25 percent earn $73,790 or more, and the top 10 percent reach $81,180.
That spread tells you something important. Entry-level pay is modest, but experienced technicians with strong diagnostic skills and ASE certifications can earn well above the median. Career progression in this trade is real and measurable.
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
This is a related path that pays significantly more at every point on the scale. Nevada employs 1,990 people in this occupation. The median wage is $68,410. The bottom 10 percent earn $48,770, which is already above the median for general automotive technicians. The top 10 percent earn $97,720.
Diesel and commercial vehicle work requires additional training and often separate certification, but many technicians move into it after gaining experience in general automotive repair.
Automotive Body and Related Repairers
Collision and body repair is another branch from the same training foundation. Nevada employs 1,020 people here. The median wage is $60,520. The top end of this occupation is the highest of any group on this page: the 90th percentile earns $126,920, and the 75th percentile reaches $95,480.
Body repair combines mechanical knowledge with finishing and color-matching skills. It is a distinct specialization, but auto mechanic training gives you a strong starting point.
Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers
This is a smaller specialty. Nevada employs 190 people in this occupation. The median wage is $47,210. The top 10 percent earn $74,760. It is a narrower field, but it is steady work in a state where sun, heat, and road debris mean constant glass demand.
How the Occupations Compare
| Occupation | Nevada employed | Median wage | 10th percentile | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | 7,420 | $48,290 | $33,500 | $81,180 |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | 1,990 | $68,410 | $48,770 | $97,720 |
| Automotive body and related repairers | 1,020 | $60,520 | $45,070 | $126,920 |
| Automotive glass installers and repairers | 190 | $47,210 | $37,240 | $74,760 |
Source: BLS May 2025 OEWS data.
Career Progression
Most technicians start as lube techs or service assistants, then move into general repair as they complete ASE certifications. Each ASE certification you pass makes you eligible for more complex work and higher pay. Technicians who earn master technician status (passing all eight ASE automobile tests) are among the highest earners in the core occupation. From there, some move into diesel and commercial vehicles for higher base wages, while others move into supervisory or service advisor roles.
The wage data above shows the realistic range at each stage. Entry-level positions sit near the 10th percentile. A technician five to ten years in with several certifications typically lands in the 50th to 75th percentile range. Senior specialists and master technicians reach the upper quartile.
Working as an Auto Mechanic in Nevada
Auto mechanics in Nevada should have a diverse set of skills in order to succeed. This includes knowledge of standard and modern vehicle technologies, the ability to troubleshoot complex mechanical issues and proficiency in record keeping and documentation.
In conclusion, working as an auto mechanic in Nevada can be a rewarding and challenging experience. With the right training and certification, those in this field can enjoy job stability, competitive salary potential, and an array of career paths to pursue.
Next Steps
You now have a full list of every ASE-accredited program in Nevada, wage figures for each career path, and a clear picture of the AYES pipeline for high-school students. The programs at Truckee Meadows Community College and Western Nevada College are your two community college options. Advanced Training Institute is the private option in Las Vegas. If you are still in high school in Las Vegas, contact Southeast Career Technical Academy about the AYES program as early as possible. Use the tables above to compare accreditation timelines, then contact each school directly to ask about current enrollment, schedule, and any prerequisites. That conversation is the most useful next step you can take today.
Sources:
- 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