Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies (Associate's Degree) at Durham Technical Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$38,842

Est. from NC median (6 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$11,425

Est. from national median (65 programs)

Analysis

Similar automotive programs across North Carolina suggest first-year earnings around $39,000 for associate degree graduates—roughly $4,000 below the national median for this field. Durham Tech's numbers align with this state pattern, placing it in the middle of NC's automotive training landscape. That gap matters: programs at Guilford Tech and Central Piedmont are producing graduates who earn $6,000-$7,000 more annually, suggesting regional variation in job markets or employer relationships that could affect your return.

The debt picture looks manageable at an estimated $11,400, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29. This means roughly four months of first-year income to cover the full program cost—a reasonable investment for skilled trades training. Nationally, automotive programs typically carry similar debt loads, so Durham Tech appears competitive on cost even if earnings lag behind top NC performers.

The practical question is whether Durham's automotive job market can support earnings growth that closes the gap with higher-paying programs elsewhere in the state. If your child plans to stay local, research which shops and dealerships hire Durham Tech graduates and what their pay scales look like after a few years of experience. If mobility is an option, consider whether training at Guilford or Central Piedmont—with their stronger early earnings—might justify the relocation for better job placement outcomes.

Where Durham Technical Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all vehicle maintenance and repair technologies associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina

Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies associates's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (40 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Durham Technical Community CollegeDurham	$1,986	$38,842*	—	$11,425*	—
Guilford Technical Community CollegeJamestown	$2,319	$45,604*	$49,591	$14,249*	0.31
Central Piedmont Community CollegeCharlotte	$2,792	$44,653*	$59,300	—*	—
Forsyth Technical Community CollegeWinston-Salem	$2,256	$39,008*	$36,299	$7,916*	0.20
Davidson-Davie Community CollegeThomasville	$1,978	$38,675*	—	—*	—
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community CollegeAsheville	$2,882	$36,536*	—	—*	—
National Median	—	$42,896*	—	$12,000*	0.28

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with vehicle maintenance and repair technologies graduates

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.

$79,830/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Avionics Technicians

Install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles.

$79,140/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

$79,140/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage

Appraise automobile or other vehicle damage to determine repair costs for insurance claim settlement. Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost or cost estimates and recommendations. May seek agreement with automotive repair shop on repair costs.

$76,790/yrJobs growth:

Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment

Install, adjust, or maintain mobile electronics communication equipment, including sound, sonar, security, navigation, and surveillance systems on trains, watercraft, or other mobile equipment.

$71,270/yrJobs growth:

Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles

Install, diagnose, or repair communications, sound, security, or navigation equipment in motor vehicles.

$71,270/yrJobs growth:

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines. Includes mechanics working primarily with automobile or marine diesel engines.

$60,640/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Automotive Body and Related Repairers

Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.

$50,680/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers

Replace or repair broken windshields and window glass in motor vehicles.

$50,680/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.

$49,670/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians

Repair and adjust electrical and mechanical equipment of inboard or inboard-outboard boat engines.

$48,240/yrJobs growth:

Motorcycle Mechanics

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, dirt bikes, or similar motorized vehicles.

$48,240/yrJobs growth:

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Durham Technical Community College, approximately 31% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 6 similar programs in NC. Actual outcomes may vary.