If you want to pursue a career as an auto mechanic, you can expect to be working with traditional systems alongside new electronic ones that are continually being introduced and innovated. These systems can be used to inspect, maintain and repair a variety of vehicles, from cars to small trucks. With a large number of large metro areas and tons of colleges, there are many options for education if you're looking to become an auto mechanic in this state.

Ohio Auto Mechanic Schools

To become an auto mechanic, you will need to have the right education behind you and there are a wide range of auto mechanic schools in Ohio that can provide you with this. Some of these include:

  • University of Northwestern Ohio - Founded in 1920, UNO is a not-for-profit, private institution that educates more than 4,500 students a year in over 60 different degree programs.

  • Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) - As the largest and oldest public community college in Ohio, Tri-C offers a large number of courses in over 190 technical, liberal arts and career programs.

  • Stark State College - Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Stark State College provides professional development, certificates and associate degrees in a number of different programs.

  • Columbus State Community College - Established in 1963, Columbus State Community College offers two-year programs in over 55 different areas including engineering technologies.

  • Ohio Technical College - Specializing in providing education for those looking to pursue a career in modern mechanics, Ohio Technical College provides a vast array of training programs, including diesel equipment, motorcycle, automotive and classic car restoration.

  • Washington State Community College - First established in 1973, Washington State Community College offers a variety of certificate opportunities alongside more than 50 degree programs.

  • Scioto County Career Technical Centre - For over forty years, Scioto County Career Technical Centre has been providing personalized education to their students. They offer secondary and post-secondary courses.

What to Expect from Ohio Auto Mechanic Programs

To provide you with the relevant skills, an auto mechanic school in Ohio can offer you education in the classroom and in a hands-on environment. The programs cover how to:

  • Identify a problem
  • Repair things to manufacturer standards
  • Replace worn parts
  • Test parts and systems
  • Dissect and assemble engines, transaxles and transmissions
  • Carry out basic care and maintenance

Once these programs have been completed, some also choose to go on and study for an associate's degree.

Ohio Auto Mechanic License

The National institute of Automatic Service Excellence issue certifications that enable you to work as an auto mechanic in Ohio. There are a number of specialist areas that you can achieve this certificate in, including manual drive train and axles and engine performance or repair. In order to be issued with one of these certificates, you'll need to have the relevant schooling and a year's worth of experience, or 2 years' experience in a working environment.

There is also the opportunity to become an ASE Master Technician if you are able to gain certificates in each of the specialist areas, except vehicle diesel engines, which isn't required.

Resources for Auto Mechanics in Ohio

Metro Areas Rated for Popularity for:
Automotive Mechanics

Listed below are metro areas ranked by the popularity of jobs for Automotive Mechanics relative to the population of the city. Salary data was obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov

Metro Area
Jobs
Annual Median Salary
Toledo1480$39,820
Mansfield320$36,710
Dayton1920$38,390
Canton-Massillon810$37,020
Columbus4650$42,680
Akron1530$38,950
Cleveland-Elyria4480$45,720
Lima360$40,990
Springfield230$36,480

Sources:

  1. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Occupational Outlook Handbook 2016-17 Edition, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/automotive-service -- and-metechnicianschanics.htm, accessed September 9, 2016
  2. National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) Improving Programs Through Accreditation, http://www.natef.org/NATEF-and-You/Students-Parents/Find-Accredited-Schools.aspx, accessed September 9, 2016
  3. O*NET OnLine Summary Report for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/49-3023.00, accessed September 9, 2016

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