Becoming an Automotive Technician or Mechanic in Wisconsin
For those seeking a career as an auto mechanic or diesel and truck specialist, countless opportunities await in Wisconsin and across the nation. While no formal education is necessary to become a mechanic in this state, most pursue at least some degree of diploma program or certification class prior to gaining employment, allowing for further hands-on training from other skilled professionals.
Requirements for becoming an Automotive Service Technician in Wisconsin
Wisconsin auto mechanics do not need to have a professional license. However, the Wisconsin Automotive Service Technician Certification Board does offer certification programs which certify auto mechanics as professional technicians.
Certification is voluntary and requires the applicant to have at least two years of work experience in an automotive service facility, pass an ASE-approved test, and submit a valid driver’s license.
Those looking to become an auto mechanic in Wisconsin should research programs offered at local technical schools or community colleges prior to entering the job market.
ASE Certification Exams
Possessing the ASE Certification is an esteemed accomplishment in the automotive industry. To acquire it, individuals must pass a difficult exam related to their area of expertise and maintain their certification every 5 years either by taking the test again or renewing it.
With over 40 Automotive service excellence certification exams, you have numerous options to choose from. Certification examinations 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
Auto Mechanic Training in Wisconsin
Wisconsin has 12,270 working automotive service technicians, according to BLS May 2025 OEWS data. That makes it one of the larger auto tech workforces in the Midwest. The state’s 16 technical colleges run ASE-accredited programs across dozens of campuses, and four of those programs come with a paid dealer placement built in. This page lists every accredited program in the state so you can compare your options in one place.
What ASE Accreditation Means
ASE accreditation means the ASE Education Foundation, the quality-standards body for automotive training in the US, has reviewed the program’s equipment, instructors, and curriculum and found them to meet industry standards. Accreditation is not permanent. Each program has an expiration date, and the school must earn renewal. All programs listed on this page are drawn from the current ASE Education Foundation directory. The expiration dates are shown so you can see how recently each program was reviewed.
Accreditation matters to employers. Many dealers and shops use it as a hiring filter. It also matters if you plan to sit for ASE certification exams after graduation, because graduates of accredited programs are better prepared for those tests.
Manufacturer-Sponsored Programs: The Highest-Value Option
Wisconsin has four manufacturer-sponsored programs. These are co-op programs, meaning you split your time between classes at a technical college and paid work at a franchised dealer. You graduate with a degree or diploma, manufacturer-specific certification, and documented dealer experience. That combination is harder for a general certificate graduate to match. All four programs are also ASE-accredited.
The three program types in Wisconsin are GM ASEP (General Motors Automotive Service Educational Program), Ford ASSET (Automotive Student Service Educational Training), and Mopar CAP (Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealer program). Each is tied to a specific brand’s dealer network. You apply through the college and are matched with a participating dealer in your area.
All 4 manufacturer-sponsored programs in Wisconsin:
| College | Campus | Program | Series | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fox Valley Technical College | Appleton | GM ASEP | Automobile | June 2028 |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College | Mequon | Ford ASSET | Automobile | May 2028 |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College | Mequon | Mopar CAP | Automobile | May 2028 |
| Waukesha County Technical College | Pewaukee | GM ASEP | Automobile | February 2029 |
If you want to work at a GM, Ford, or Stellantis dealer, start here. Contact the college directly to ask about the dealer-matching process and application deadlines, because seats in these programs are limited by how many local dealers participate.
All Post-Secondary ASE-Accredited Programs in Wisconsin
The table below shows all 34 post-secondary programs in Wisconsin from the current ASE Education Foundation directory. These are programs you can enroll in as an adult. The four manufacturer-sponsored programs listed above also appear here because they are part of this accredited pool, but review that section first if a co-op program interests you.
Wisconsin’s technical colleges are part of the Wisconsin Technical College System. Community colleges in this system generally cost less per credit hour than private technical institutes, though this page does not publish specific figures because tuition changes frequently. Contact each school directly for current costs.
All 34 post-secondary ASE-accredited programs in Wisconsin:
| College | Campus | Series | Program note | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackhawk Technical College | Janesville | Automobile | August 2030 | |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College | Eau Claire | Automobile | May 2029 | |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College | Eau Claire | Automobile | May 2029 | |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College | Eau Claire | Collision Repair and Refinishing | May 2029 | |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College | Eau Claire | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | May 2029 | |
| Fox Valley Technical College | Appleton | Automobile | June 2028 | |
| Fox Valley Technical College | Appleton | Automobile | GM ASEP | June 2028 |
| Fox Valley Technical College | Appleton | Automobile | June 2028 | |
| Fox Valley Technical College | Appleton | Collision Repair and Refinishing | June 2028 | |
| Fox Valley Technical College | Appleton | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | February 2029 | |
| Gateway Technical College | Kenosha | Automobile | June 2028 | |
| Gateway Technical College | Kenosha | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | Secondary and Post Secondary | September 2029 |
| Lakeshore Technical College | Cleveland | Automobile | December 2029 | |
| Madison Area Technical College | Madison | Automobile | March 2029 | |
| Madison Area Technical College | Madison | Automobile | March 2029 | |
| Madison Area Technical College | Madison | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | September 2027 | |
| Madison Area Technical College | Madison | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | September 2027 | |
| Mid-State Technical College | Wisconsin Rapids | Automobile | February 2029 | |
| Mid-State Technical College | Wisconsin Rapids | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | April 2029 | |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College | Oak Creek | Automobile | December 2026 | |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College | Mequon | Automobile | Ford ASSET | May 2028 |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College | Mequon | Automobile | Mopar CAP | May 2028 |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College | Oak Creek | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | February 2029 | |
| Moraine Park Technical College | Fond du Lac | Automobile | July 2031 | |
| Nicolet Area Technical College | Rhinelander | Automobile | June 2027 | |
| Northcentral Technical College | Wausau | Automobile | January 2028 | |
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | Green Bay | Automobile | April 2030 | |
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | Green Bay | Collision Repair and Refinishing | AYES | June 2027 |
| Northwood Technical College | Rice Lake | Automobile | June 2028 | |
| Northwood Technical College | Superior | Automobile | January 2028 | |
| Southwest Wisconsin Technical College | Fennimore | Automobile | May 2029 | |
| Waukesha County Technical College | Pewaukee | Automobile | February 2029 | |
| Waukesha County Technical College | Pewaukee | Automobile | GM ASEP | February 2029 |
| Western Technical College | La Crosse | Automobile | April 2027 |
High School Programs: If You Are Still in School
This section is for you if you are currently enrolled in high school. These programs are not open to adult career-changers. They are secondary-level programs, meaning you take them as part of your high school schedule, not through a community college application.
Ten of the 15 programs below carry the AYES designation. AYES stands for Automotive Youth Educational Systems. It is a structured pipeline, not a standard shop class. In an AYES program, the curriculum is built around real dealership job standards, and you work toward placement at a franchised dealer after graduation. That is the practical difference between AYES and a general automotive elective: AYES connects you directly to a hiring network.
If your school is on this list, talk to your counselor about signing up. If your school is not on this list, ask whether your district has a partnership with a nearby school or technical college that does participate.
All 15 secondary ASE-accredited programs in Wisconsin (10 with AYES designation):
| School | City | Series | AYES | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arrowhead Union High School | Hartland | Automobile | No | June 2031 |
| Beloit Memorial High School | Beloit | Automobile | Yes | November 2024 |
| Casimir Pulaski High School | Milwaukee | Automobile | Yes | June 2031 |
| Fond du Lac High School | Fond du Lac | Automobile | No | June 2031 |
| Fox Valley Technical College | Appleton | Automobile | Yes | June 2028 |
| Freedom High School | Freedom | Collision Repair and Refinishing | No | May 2030 |
| Grafton High School | Grafton | Automobile | Yes | June 2029 |
| Green Bay East High School | Green Bay | Automobile | Yes | June 2027 |
| Jefferson High School | Jefferson | Automobile | Yes | March 2026 |
| Marshfield High School | Marshfield | Automobile | No | June 2028 |
| McFarland High School | McFarland | Automobile | Yes | August 2028 |
| Mukwonago High School | Mukwonago | Automobile | No | June 2031 |
| Oregon High School | Oregon | Automobile | Yes | August 2028 |
| Sun Prairie High School | Sun Prairie | Automobile | Yes | August 2028 |
| Vel Phillips Memorial High School | Madison | Automobile | Yes | March 2029 |
One note on Beloit Memorial High School: its accreditation expiration date in the ASE directory is November 2024. Contact the school directly to confirm current program status before making any decisions based on that listing.
Job Outlook and Salary Expectations
Wages in this field vary a lot by role. The figures below come from BLS May 2025 OEWS data and cover Wisconsin specifically.
Automotive service technicians and mechanics
This is the core role most people train for. Wisconsin has 12,270 people working in this occupation. The median wage is $54,350 a year. Half of all workers earn between $44,550 and $69,570. The top 10 percent earn $78,140 or more. Entry-level workers at the 10th percentile earn around $36,590.
That spread tells you something useful. The gap between a starting tech and a senior tech in Wisconsin is about $41,550 a year. Training, ASE certifications, and specialization all push wages toward the upper end of that range.
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
If you train in the Medium/Heavy Duty Truck series, you can move into this occupation. It pays more. The median in Wisconsin is $62,450, and the mean is $64,150. The 75th percentile is $74,800, and the 90th percentile is $82,210. Even the 10th percentile, at $45,250, is higher than the 10th percentile for general auto techs. Wisconsin has 6,750 people in this role. Several programs in the table above, including those at Chippewa Valley, Fox Valley, Gateway, Madison Area, Mid-State, and Milwaukee Area Technical College, have accredited truck programs that can put you on this path.
Automotive body and collision repair
Body and collision repairers in Wisconsin earn a median of $56,660 a year. The 25th percentile is $47,330 and the 75th is $61,020. The top 10 percent earn $75,500. There are 2,690 people in this role statewide. Programs in the Collision Repair and Refinishing series at Chippewa Valley, Fox Valley, Freedom High School (secondary), and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College lead directly into this occupation.
Automotive glass installers and repairers
This is a smaller and more specialized role. Wisconsin has 300 people working in it. The median wage is $48,790, and the 90th percentile is $63,450. It is a narrower career path, but it is a real one if glass work interests you.
How pay progresses over a career
The pattern across all four occupations is consistent. Truck and diesel work pays the most at every percentile. Collision repair sits above general auto tech at the median. Glass work pays the least at the top end. If you are deciding which series to train in and wages matter most to you, the truck program is the clearest path to the highest pay in Wisconsin. The data shows a $62,450 median for diesel and truck techs versus $54,350 for general auto techs, a difference of $8,100 a year at the midpoint.
Experience and ASE certifications move you up within your pay band. A technician with multiple ASE certifications and several years of specialization typically earns in the upper quartile. The programs on this page, especially the manufacturer-sponsored ones, give you documented experience and credentials from day one of employment.
Auto Mechanic Salaries in Wisconsin by Region
| Region | Total Employed | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton, Wi | 680 | $21,39 | $44,480 |
| Eau Claire, WI | 490 | $21,87 | $45,490 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | 290 | $21,39 | $44,480 |
| 0Green Bay, WI | 800 | $21,94 | $45,630 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | 370 | $22,00 | $45,760 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | 370 | $21,95 | $45,660 |
| Madison, WI | 1,510 | $22,03 | $45,820 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI | 3,610 | $22,19 | $46,150 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | 340 | $21,36 | $44,430 |
| Racine, WI | 450 | $22,87 | $47,560 |
| Sheboygan, WI | 290 | $21,95 | $45,660 |
| Wausau, WI | 400 | $21,88 | $45,500 |
[VERIFY-STALE: The regional figures in this table are drawn from an earlier BLS dataset and may not reflect current May 2025 OEWS metro-level data. Confirm figures against the latest BLS OEWS metropolitan area tables before relying on them.]
Working as an Auto Mechanic in Wisconsin
Wisconsin offers numerous job opportunities in the automotive industry. Automotive service technicians can find employment in large cities such as Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay. Wisconsin also has a number of smaller towns that specialize in auto repair services.
Whether you are a novice to the industry or a seasoned veteran, Wisconsin has many options for automotive professionals. With numerous technical schools, certification programs and job opportunities available in the state, it is easy to find an ideal career path that fits your interest and goals. If you have a passion for working on cars and trucks, then becoming an automotive service technician in Wisconsin might be the perfect fit for you.
How to Choose a Program
Start with geography. Wisconsin’s technical colleges cover the state well, from Superior in the north to Kenosha in the south. If you are near Appleton, Mequon, or Pewaukee and you want a paid dealership placement, look at the manufacturer-sponsored programs first. If you are near a campus that runs a truck program and diesel wages interest you, that is worth comparing against a general auto program at the same school.
Check the accreditation expiration dates. A program expiring in 2031 has been recently reviewed. A program expiring in 2027 will need renewal soon, which is not a problem but is worth knowing.
If you are still in high school, your fastest path to dealership employment may be an AYES program at your school or a nearby one. Completing an AYES program before you graduate means you enter the job market with structured training and a dealer connection that a standard high school graduate does not have.
Once you have a shortlist, visit the program pages linked in the tables above. Ask each school about current accreditation status, class schedules, and how they connect graduates to employers. Then pick the program that fits your location, your career target, and your timeline.