Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at San Jacinto Community College

In Texas, automotive technology programs see wide variation in starting salaries, with top programs launching graduates above $50,000 while others struggle to break $40,000. San Jacinto's first-year earnings of $40,169 land in the middle of the pack—ahead of the state median but trailing Tarrant County and several other community colleges by $5,000 to $10,000. Based on comparable programs at the college, graduates carry an estimated $10,387 in debt, meaningfully below both the state and national typical debt loads for this field.

The debt burden here translates to just three months of first-year earnings, which is manageable territory for an associate degree in the trades. By year four, earnings climb to $49,273, representing solid 23% growth that narrows the gap with higher-performing programs. That trajectory matters for automotive technicians, as experience and ASE certifications typically drive meaningful wage increases in the field.

For parents weighing this investment, the program offers a relatively low-risk entry into automotive work with debt that won't become a financial burden. However, the earnings ceiling appears lower than what nearby alternatives deliver—if your student can access programs like Tarrant County's, the $10,000 difference in starting salary would more than offset any additional commuting or relocation costs within the first year.