How to become an Automotive Technician or Mechanic in Texas
The auto mechanic field is especially large in Texas due to the state’s expansive size and many industries. In fact, Texas ranks as the second leading state for automotive jobs in America. Whether you’re interested in becoming an auto mechanic, service technician, diesel mechanic or automotive glass installer/repair worker, there are plenty of job openings available.
Requirements for becoming an Automotive Service Technician in Texas
You do not need a license to work as an auto mechanic in Texas, however, most employers prefer to hire candidates who have taken some kind of formal training or auto mechanic program. Experience in the field will also give applicants an advantage when seeking employment.
Those looking to develop their skills by enrolling in an automotive technology program can expect to learn about some of the following topics:
- Suspension
- Steering
- Axles
- Brakes
- Computerized Systems
- Identify and solve complex problems
- Tune-ups and Maintenance
- Engine Repair
- Fuel System Diagnosis and Repair
- Electrical Components
- Exhaust System Diagnosis and Repair
- Air Conditioning Service/Repair
In addition, many automotive technology programs provide an internship or hands-on experience for their students to gain valuable knowledge of the industry.
ASE Certification
ASE certifies automobile technicians in Texas, as well as other states. To become ASE certified, applicants must meet certain qualifications and pass a series of tests. The exams cover topics such as brakes, steering/suspension, engine repair, electrical systems, heating/air conditioning and automatic transmissions. Applicants who successfully complete the required tests are rewarded with a certification from ASE, which opens up more opportunities for employment.
Auto mechanic training in Texas
Texas employs 69,750 automotive service technicians and mechanics, more than any state except California, according to BLS May 2025 OEWS data. That number tells you the job market here is real and large. Median pay for that occupation sits at $48,310, with the top quarter of earners making $62,270 or more. If you are thinking about this career, Texas gives you a wide range of ways to get trained, from community colleges and technical institutes to manufacturer-sponsored programs that pay you while you study.
This page lists every ASE-accredited program in Texas that appears in the ASE Education Foundation directory. ASE accreditation means the program meets the national quality standard set by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. A program without it may still be decent, but accreditation is the clearest signal that the curriculum, equipment, and instructors have been reviewed by an independent body.
Manufacturer-sponsored programs in Texas
Twelve programs in Texas are both ASE-accredited and tied to a specific vehicle manufacturer. These are the programs worth knowing about first, because they work differently from a standard automotive certificate. Each one places you at a franchised dealership for paid, hands-on training while you complete your college coursework. When you finish, you hold manufacturer-specific certification alongside your academic credential. Dealers hire from these programs directly, so job placement tends to happen faster than with a general certificate.
The five programs currently active in Texas are Ford ASSET (Automotive Student Service Educational Training), GM ASEP (Automotive Service Educational Program), Honda PACT (Professional Automotive Career Training), Toyota T-TEN (Toyota Technician Training and Education Network), and Mopar CAP (College Automotive Program). All 12 manufacturer-sponsored programs in Texas are listed below.
All 12 manufacturer-sponsored programs in Texas
| School | City | Program | Series | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas College – Brookhaven Campus | Farmers Branch | Ford ASSET | Automobile | 2028-06-01 |
| Dallas College – Brookhaven Campus | Farmers Branch | GM ASEP | Automobile | 2028-06-01 |
| Dallas College – Eastfield Campus | Mesquite | Toyota T-TEN | Automobile | 2030-07-01 |
| Dallas College – Eastfield Campus | Mesquite | Honda PACT | Automobile | 2030-07-01 |
| San Jacinto College | La Porte | Toyota T-TEN | Automobile | 2028-04-01 |
| San Jacinto College | La Porte | Ford ASSET | Automobile | 2028-04-01 |
| San Jacinto College | La Porte | GM ASEP | Automobile | 2028-04-01 |
| San Jacinto College | La Porte | Honda PACT | Automobile | 2028-04-01 |
| San Jacinto College | La Porte | Mopar CAP | Automobile | 2028-04-01 |
| South Texas College | McAllen | GM ASEP | Automobile | 2029-04-01 |
| St. Philip’s College | San Antonio | GM ASEP | Automobile | 2029-12-01 |
| Texas State Technical College | Waco | Mopar CAP | Automobile | 2029-04-01 |
San Jacinto College in La Porte stands out because it hosts five different manufacturer programs on one campus. That is the widest single-campus selection in Texas. If you want to keep your options open before committing to one brand, visiting that campus first makes sense.
All ASE-accredited post-secondary programs in Texas
The table below shows all 54 post-secondary programs in Texas currently listed in the ASE Education Foundation directory. These are the programs open to adult students enrolling after high school. Community colleges generally cost less per credit hour than private technical institutes, though this page does not carry specific tuition figures. Contact each school directly for current costs and financial aid.
Programs marked with a manufacturer name in the “Program” column are also listed in the manufacturer-sponsored section above with additional context.
All 54 post-secondary programs in Texas
| School | City | Series | Program | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amarillo College | Amarillo | Automobile | 2031-01-01 | |
| Austin Community College | Austin | Automobile | 2028-12-01 | |
| Cedar Valley College | Lancaster | Automobile | 2025-01-01 | |
| Central Texas College | Killeen | Automobile | 2026-03-01 | |
| Collin College | Allen | Automobile | 2027-07-01 | |
| Collin College | Allen | Collision Repair and Refinishing | 2027-09-01 | |
| Dallas College – Brookhaven Campus | Farmers Branch | Automobile | Ford ASSET | 2028-06-01 |
| Dallas College – Brookhaven Campus | Farmers Branch | Automobile | 2028-06-01 | |
| Dallas College – Brookhaven Campus | Farmers Branch | Automobile | GM ASEP | 2028-06-01 |
| Dallas College – Eastfield Campus | Mesquite | Automobile | Toyota T-TEN | 2030-07-01 |
| Dallas College – Eastfield Campus | Mesquite | Automobile | Honda PACT | 2030-07-01 |
| Dallas College – Eastfield Campus | Mesquite | Automobile | 2030-07-01 | |
| Del Mar College | Corpus Christi | Automobile | 2030-05-01 | |
| Hill College | Cleburne | Automobile | 2030-11-01 | |
| Houston Community College | Houston | Automobile | 2028-01-01 | |
| Kilgore College | Kilgore | Automobile | 2030-01-01 | |
| Laredo Community College South | Laredo | Automobile | 2028-06-01 | |
| Laredo Community College South | Laredo | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | 2025-04-01 | |
| Lincoln College of Technology | Grand Prairie | Automobile | 2028-12-01 | |
| Lincoln College of Technology | Grand Prairie | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | 2031-09-01 | |
| Lone Star College – Conroe Campus | Conroe | Automobile | 2031-05-01 | |
| Lone Star College – North Harris Campus | Houston | Automobile | 2027-08-01 | |
| Odessa College | Odessa | Automobile | 2030-04-01 | |
| Odessa College | Odessa | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | 2030-04-01 | |
| San Jacinto College | La Porte | Automobile | Toyota T-TEN | 2028-04-01 |
| San Jacinto College | La Porte | Automobile | Ford ASSET | 2028-04-01 |
| San Jacinto College | La Porte | Automobile | GM ASEP | 2028-04-01 |
| San Jacinto College | La Porte | Automobile | 2028-04-01 | |
| San Jacinto College | La Porte | Automobile | Honda PACT | 2028-04-01 |
| San Jacinto College | La Porte | Automobile | Mopar CAP | 2028-04-01 |
| South Plains College – Levelland | Levelland | Automobile | AYES | 2029-04-01 |
| South Plains College – Lubbock | Lubbock | Automobile | AYES | 2029-04-01 |
| South Texas College | McAllen | Automobile | 2029-04-01 | |
| South Texas College | McAllen | Automobile | GM ASEP | 2029-04-01 |
| St. Philip’s College | San Antonio | Automobile | 2029-12-01 | |
| St. Philip’s College | San Antonio | Automobile | GM ASEP | 2029-12-01 |
| Tarrant County College | Fort Worth | Automobile | 2030-05-01 | |
| Texas State Technical College | Waco | Automobile | Mopar CAP | 2029-04-01 |
| Texas State Technical College | Waco | Automobile | 2029-04-01 | |
| Texas State Technical College | Waco | Collision Repair and Refinishing | 2030-10-01 | |
| Texas State Technical College-Harlingen | Harlingen | Automobile | 2029-12-01 | |
| Texas State Technical College-Harlingen | Harlingen | Collision Repair and Refinishing | 2029-05-01 | |
| Texas State Technical College-Sweetwater | Sweetwater | Automobile | 2031-01-01 | |
| Tyler Junior College | Tyler | Automobile | 2029-05-01 | |
| Universal Technical Institute | Irving | Automobile | 2029-02-01 | |
| Universal Technical Institute | Austin | Automobile | 2029-09-01 | |
| Universal Technical Institute | Houston | Automobile | 2029-09-01 | |
| Universal Technical Institute | Houston | Collision Repair and Refinishing | 2031-07-01 | |
| Universal Technical Institute | Irving | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | 2026-09-01 | |
| Universal Technical Institute | Austin | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | 2029-09-01 | |
| Universal Technical Institute | Houston | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | 2028-12-01 | |
| Western Technical College | El Paso | Automobile | 2027-12-01 | |
| Western Technical College | El Paso | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | 2028-01-01 | |
| Wharton County Junior College | Wharton | Automobile | 2027-10-01 |
About accreditation expiry dates
Every program in this table has a date when its accreditation comes up for review. A date in the past does not automatically mean the program closed. Schools renew on a rolling basis, and the ASE Education Foundation updates its directory when renewals are processed. If a date looks close or past, check directly with the school before you apply to confirm the program is still active and accredited.
Choosing between program types
The table includes three series: Automobile, Collision Repair and Refinishing, and Medium/Heavy Duty Truck. Automobile programs cover diagnosis, engine repair, brakes, electrical systems, and related areas. Collision Repair programs focus on body work and paint. Truck programs cover diesel engines and heavy vehicle systems. Pick the series that matches the kind of work you want to do. Some schools run programs in more than one series, so you can explore multiple tracks without changing campuses.
High school automotive programs in Texas
This section is written for you as a current high school student. These programs are for students enrolled in Texas secondary schools right now. They are not open to adults looking to change careers after high school.
Texas has 56 ASE-accredited secondary programs across the state. Nineteen of them carry the AYES designation. AYES stands for Automotive Youth Educational Systems. It is a structured pipeline, not a general shop class. An AYES program connects you directly with franchised dealerships during your high school years. You get hands-on work experience at a real dealership while still in school, and you build a relationship with an employer before you graduate. That connection matters when you are ready to enter the workforce or move on to a post-secondary program.
Completing an AYES program makes you a stronger candidate for manufacturer-sponsored post-secondary programs like Ford ASSET, GM ASEP, Honda PACT, Toyota T-TEN, and Mopar CAP. The skills and employer references you build in AYES can move you to the front of the line for those competitive spots.
All 56 secondary programs in Texas are listed below. Programs with AYES in the “Program” column are part of the dealership pipeline described above. All others are ASE-accredited automotive programs at the secondary level.
All 56 ASE-accredited secondary programs in Texas (19 are AYES programs)
| School | City | Series | Program | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alief Center for Advanced Careers – Richmond | Houston | Automobile | 2030-05-01 | |
| AmTech Career Academy | Amarillo | Automobile | 2029-05-01 | |
| Americas High School | El Paso | Automobile | 2027-06-01 | |
| Atascocita High School | Humble | Automobile | 2029-05-01 | |
| Automotive Technology Academy (NEISD) | San Antonio | Automobile | AYES | 2028-06-01 |
| Bastrop High School | Bastrop | Automobile | 2027-06-01 | |
| Bill R Johnson CTE Center | Fort Worth | Automobile | 2029-03-01 | |
| Birdville Center of Technology & Advanced Learning | North Richland Hills | Automobile | 2027-04-01 | |
| Byron Martin Advanced Technology Center | Lubbock | Automobile | AYES | 2029-11-01 |
| Byron Martin Advanced Technology Center | Lubbock | Collision Repair and Refinishing | 2024-12-01 | |
| Canyon High School | New Braunfels | Automobile | AYES | 2024-07-01 |
| Career Center East | Lewisville | Automobile | 2027-07-01 | |
| Clear Springs High School | League City | Automobile | AYES | 2029-03-01 |
| Cypress Falls High School | Houston | Automobile | AYES | 2024-03-01 |
| Cypress Ridge High School | Houston | Automobile | AYES | 2024-04-01 |
| Cypress Springs High School | Cypress | Automobile | AYES | 2024-04-01 |
| Dickinson High School | Dickinson | Automobile | 2024-08-01 | |
| Dr. Kirk Lewis Career & Technical High School | Houston | Automobile | AYES | 2027-06-01 |
| Dr. Kirk Lewis Career & Technical High School | Houston | Collision Repair and Refinishing | AYES | 2027-06-01 |
| El Campo High School | El Campo | Automobile | 2026-12-01 | |
| El Dorado High School | El Paso | Automobile | 2027-06-01 | |
| Galena Park High School | Galena Park | Automobile | AYES | 2027-06-01 |
| H.M. King High School | Kingsville | Automobile | 2030-06-01 | |
| Hallsville High School | Hallsville | Automobile | AYES | 2028-06-01 |
| Humble High School | Humble | Automobile | 2024-08-01 | |
| J B Hensler College and Career Academy | Manvel | Automobile | 2027-08-01 | |
| J B Hensler College and Career Academy | Manvel | Collision Repair and Refinishing | 2027-08-01 | |
| James Reese Career & Technical Center | Sugar Land | Automobile | 2026-10-01 | |
| Keller Center for Advanced Learning | Keller | Automobile | 2029-08-01 | |
| Klein Cain High School | Houston | Automobile | 2028-06-01 | |
| Klein Collins High School | Spring | Automobile | 2028-06-01 | |
| Klein Forest High School | Houston | Automobile | 2028-06-01 | |
| Klein High School | Spring | Automobile | 2030-07-01 | |
| Klein Oak High School | Spring | Automobile | 2028-06-01 | |
| Lamar Consolidated High School | Rosenberg | Automobile | AYES | 2029-04-01 |
| Longview High School | Longview | Automobile | 2028-10-01 | |
| McAllen High School | McAllen | Automobile | AYES | 2028-01-01 |
| McNeil High School | Austin | Automobile | 2027-04-01 | |
| Miller Career & Technology Center | Katy | Automobile | 2025-05-01 | |
| Mineral Wells High School | Mineral Wells | Automobile | AYES | 2029-06-01 |
| North Shore Senior High School | Houston | Automobile | AYES | 2027-06-01 |
| North Side High School | Fort Worth | Automobile | 2031-07-01 | |
| O.D. Wyatt High School | Fort Worth | Automobile | 2031-06-01 | |
| Pearland High School | Pearland | Automobile | AYES | 2028-01-01 |
| Polytechnic High School | Fort Worth | Automobile | 2031-06-01 | |
| Red Oak High School | Red Oak | Automobile | AYES | 2030-04-01 |
| San Benito High School | San Benito | Automobile | AYES | 2029-03-01 |
| San Benito High School | San Benito | Collision Repair and Refinishing | AYES | 2030-04-01 |
| Socorro High School | El Paso | Automobile | 2027-06-01 | |
| South Garland High School | Garland | Automobile | 2031-03-01 | |
| South Garland High School | Garland | Collision Repair and Refinishing | 2024-03-01 | |
| Trimble Technical High School | Fort Worth | Automobile | 2031-06-01 | |
| Vanguard High School | Mesquite | Automobile | 2029-03-01 | |
| Vanguard High School | Mesquite | Collision Repair and Refinishing | 2029-03-01 | |
| Weatherford High School | Weatherford | Automobile | 2025-03-01 | |
| Westbury Senior High School | Houston | Automobile | 2029-06-01 |
What AYES actually means for you
If your school has an AYES program, you are not just taking an auto class. You are working with a partnered dealership in a structured way. That means supervised hands-on time at the shop, exposure to real service work, and a reference from a working professional before you have ever applied for a job. Dealerships that partner with AYES programs are already invested in finding students they can hire or recommend for further training.
When you finish an AYES high school program, you are in a strong position to apply directly to a manufacturer-sponsored post-secondary program. The Ford ASSET, GM ASEP, Honda PACT, Toyota T-TEN, and Mopar CAP programs all value applicants who already have structured dealership experience. Talk to your AYES instructor early. The application timelines for those post-secondary programs can require planning a full year ahead.
What you can earn in Texas: wages by role
Pay in automotive trades varies a lot depending on what you specialize in. The figures below come from BLS May 2025 OEWS data for Texas. They show the spread from entry-level to experienced workers in each role.
Automotive service technicians and mechanics
This is the core occupation. Texas has 69,750 people working in this role, which makes it one of the largest automotive workforces in the country. Median pay is $48,310 per year. The bottom 10 percent of earners, typically those just starting out, make around $29,360. Workers in the top 25 percent earn $62,270 or more. The top 10 percent reach $81,720.
That range tells an important story. A new tech entering at the 10th percentile earns $29,360. A skilled, experienced tech in the top quarter earns more than double that. ASE certifications, manufacturer credentials, and specialization in high-demand systems like hybrid drivetrains tend to push pay toward the upper end of that range faster.
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
If you go into diesel and heavy vehicle work, the pay picture looks different. Texas employs 29,870 workers in this occupation. Median pay is $58,810, which is over $10,000 a year higher than the automobile tech median. The 25th percentile sits at $47,520, meaning even newer diesel techs tend to earn more than the median automobile tech. Top earners reach $81,660 at the 90th percentile. If your goal is to maximize earnings as early in your career as possible, and you are comfortable with commercial vehicles, this path is worth serious consideration. Several ASE-accredited programs in Texas offer the Medium/Heavy Duty Truck series specifically for this track.
Automotive body and related repairers
Body repair and refinishing is a different skill set. Texas employs 14,070 people in this occupation. Median pay is $51,700 per year, which sits between the automobile tech and diesel tech medians. The 25th percentile is $45,760, and the 90th percentile reaches $78,570. Several Texas schools carry ASE accreditation in the Collision Repair and Refinishing series, including Collin College, Texas State Technical College in Waco, and Universal Technical Institute in Houston.
Automotive glass installers and repairers
Glass installation and repair is a more specialized occupation with a smaller workforce. Texas employs 2,220 workers in this role. Median pay is $46,550, with the 90th percentile at $61,360. The earnings range is narrower than the other occupations, reflecting the more focused nature of the work.
How pay progresses over a career
The BLS May 2025 OEWS data shows a consistent pattern across all four occupations: the gap between the 10th percentile and the 75th percentile is large. For automobile techs, that gap is over $32,000 per year. For diesel techs, it is over $22,000. Career progression in this trade is real and measurable. The techs at the top of the pay scale typically hold multiple ASE certifications, have manufacturer credentials, or have moved into specialty work, service management, or shop ownership.
Starting at the entry level and treating it as permanent is the mistake that limits pay. Treating it as a base to build certifications from is what moves the needle.
Auto Mechanic Salaries by Region
Regional pay varies considerably across Texas. The table below shows employment and wage figures by metropolitan area. These figures predate the May 2025 OEWS data used in the occupational sections above; the statewide and occupational figures in the preceding section are more current.
| Region | Total Employed | Mean Annual Wage | Mean Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene, TX | 400 | $22,78 | $47,390 |
| Amarillo, TX | 690 | $21,79 | $45,320 |
| Austin-Round Rock, TX | 3,720 | $26,03 | $54,140 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | 670 | $22,97 | $47,780 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | 500 | $21,26 | $44,210 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | 490 | $20,97 | $43,630 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 370 | $24,11 | $50,160 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 13,170 | $24,34 | $50,620 |
| El Paso, TX | 1,380 | $18,34 | $38,150 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 11,820 | $24,19 | $50,310 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | 670 | $22,77 | $47,360 |
| Laredo, TX | 460 | $19,01 | $39,530 |
| Longview, TX | 420 | $23,33 | $48,520 |
| Lubbock, TX | 650 | $21,39 | $44,480 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | 1,010 | $20,87 | $43,420 |
| Midland, TX | 360 | $24,36 | $50,660 |
| Odessa, TX | 420 | $24,78 | $51,540 |
| San Angelo, TX | 220 | $22,76 | $47,340 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 4,590 | $22,72 | $47,250 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | 300 | $23,43 | $48,720 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | 300 | $21,26 | $44,220 |
| Tyler, TX | 540 | $23,92 | $49,750 |
| Victoria, TX | 210 | $23,17 | $48,190 |
| Waco, TX | 490 | $22,11 | $45,980 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | 310 | $21,86 | $45,460 |
How to read the accreditation expiry dates
Every program listed on this page has an accreditation expiry date. Some dates in this list are in the past. That does not mean the program has closed. ASE Education Foundation accreditation runs on a renewal cycle, and some schools are in the middle of that process when the directory is updated. Always confirm with the school directly before you apply. Ask whether their ASE accreditation is current or in renewal. A school that takes accreditation seriously will answer that question clearly.
Programs with expiry dates further out, such as 2030 or 2031, give you more confidence that the program has recently been reviewed and passed. That is a reasonable factor to weigh when you are comparing programs in the same region.
Working as an Auto Mechanic in Texas
Texas offers an abundance of opportunities in the auto mechanic industry. The Lone Star State is home to many large cities and towns that house a multitude of automotive service companies such as lube shops and dealerships in need of qualified individuals. Furnishing oneself with the necessary skillset through a formal education program or on-the-job training will guarantee improved career prospects and higher wages. Furthermore, taking advantage of certifications and other industry credentials will help individuals stand out to employers. Texas is a great state for those looking to pursue a career in automotive mechanics or related fields. With its diverse job market, many doors are open to those willing to take the plunge and dedicate themselves to a fulfilling career in automotive technology.
Next steps
Use the tables above to find programs near you. If you are a high school student, start with the secondary table and check whether your school or a nearby school offers an AYES program. If you are ready to enroll in a post-secondary program, use the main table to identify accredited options in your area, then check each school’s website for current enrollment dates and program requirements. If a manufacturer-sponsored program is available near you, contact that school first: those spots fill early and the paid dealership placement is a genuine advantage over a standard certificate. BLS May 2025 OEWS data gives you a clear picture of what this career pays in Texas at each stage. The rest depends on which program you choose and how far you take your certifications.
Sources:
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes493023.htm
- 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
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES Texas, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_tx.htm
- Projections Central, Texas, projectionscentral.com