Autobody and Collision Repair Technology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Autobody and Collision Repair Technology equips students with the technical expertise needed to restore vehicles to pre-accident condition following structural and cosmetic damage. This hands-on program emphasizes precision, safety, and industry-standard practices in repairing and refinishing automotive exteriors.
- Structure analysis: Evaluating the integrity of a vehicle’s frame and chassis to determine the extent of collision damage and guide repair planning.
- Damage repair: Applying techniques to restore structural components, including unibody and frame alignment, using specialized tools and diagnostic systems.
- Non-structural analysis: Assessing and repairing body panels, trim, and accessories that do not affect the vehicle’s structural framework.
- Mechanical and electrical components: Understanding how collision impacts systems such as lighting, sensors, and wiring harnesses, and restoring functionality safely.
- Plastics and adhesives: Mastering the repair and replacement of polymer-based parts using modern bonding agents and heat-forming methods.
- Painting and refinishing techniques: Executing color matching, surface preparation, spray application, and finishing to achieve a seamless, factory-quality appearance.
- Damage analysis and estimating: Assessing accident damage to create accurate repair plans and cost estimates using digital tools and industry guidelines.
Autobody and Collision Repair Technology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Autobody and Collision Repair Technology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Autobody and Collision Repair Technology degrees, including Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage, Automotive Body and Related Repairers and Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 341,450 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage 13-1032 | $76,650 | $56,690 - $101,800 | 7,790 | $36.85 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairers 49-3021 | $51,680 | $36,390 - $87,040 | 155,220 | $24.85 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders 51-9124 | $47,590 | $35,480 - $72,800 | 159,500 | $22.88 |
| Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers 49-3022 | $47,260 | $35,080 - $67,480 | 18,940 | $22.72 |
Autobody and Collision Repair Technology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $42,470 in Alabama to $67,145 in Washington—a 58% difference. The highest-paying states include Washington, New Jersey, and Maryland. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 341,450 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Autobody and Collision Repair Technology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 99 institutions offering Autobody and Collision Repair Technology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Autobody and Collision Repair Technology is found at Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) (177 graduates), WyoTech (145 graduates), Dallas College (133 graduates), Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) (131 graduates), and Metropolitan Community College Area (MCC) (105 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 4,173 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
177 | Fayetteville, North Carolina | Public | faytechcc.edu |
| WyoTech |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
145 | Laramie, Wyoming | Private | wyotech.edu |
| Dallas College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
133 | Dallas, Texas | Public | dallascollege.edu |
| Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
131 | Lakewood, Colorado | Public | rrcc.edu |
| Metropolitan Community College Area (MCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
105 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | mccneb.edu |
| Universal Technical Institute of Texas Inc. (UTI) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
102 | Houston, Texas | Private | uti.edu |
| Central Community College (CCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
97 | Grand Island, Nebraska | Public | cccneb.edu |
| Lincoln College of Technology |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
90 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | lincolntech.edu |
| Hennepin Technical College (HTC) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
86 | Brooklyn Park, Minnesota | Public | hennepintech.edu |
| Lincoln College of Technology |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
80 | Grand Prairie, Texas | Private | lincolntech.edu |
| Automeca Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
78 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Private | automeca.com |
| Universal Technical Institute (UTI) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
73 | Long Beach, California | Private | uti.edu |
| Lincoln College of Technology |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
71 | Melrose Park, Illinois | Private | lincolntech.edu |
| Mech-Tech College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
71 | Caguas, Puerto Rico | Private | mechtech.edu |
| Automeca Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
69 | Ponce, Puerto Rico | Private | automeca.com |
| Indian Capital Technology Center (ICTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
67 | Muskogee, Oklahoma | Public | ictech.edu |
| Forsyth Technical Community College (Forsyth Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
66 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Public | forsythtech.edu |
| College of Lake County (CLC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
63 | Grayslake, Illinois | Public | clcillinois.edu |
| Automeca Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
63 | Aguadilla, Puerto Rico | Private | automeca.com |
| Lincoln College of Technology (LTI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
62 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | lincolntech.edu |
| Tulsa Technology Center (Tulsa Tech) |
Other Award
|
61 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Public | tulsatech.edu |
| Lincoln College of Technology (Lincoln Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
60 | Denver, Colorado | Private | lincolntech.edu |
| Northeast Technology Center |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
60 | Pryor, Oklahoma | Public | netech.edu |
| Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech) |
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
56 | Kirkland, Washington | Public | lwtech.edu |
| Antelope Valley Community College District (AVCCD) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
55 | Lancaster, California | Public | avc.edu |
| Lanier Technical College (Lanier Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
54 | Gainesville, Georgia | Public | laniertech.edu |
| Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
52 | Sioux City, Iowa | Public | witcc.edu |
| Ohio Technical College (Ohio Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
|
52 | Cleveland, Ohio | Private | ohiotech.edu |
| Lincoln Technical Institute (Lincoln Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
50 | East Windsor, Connecticut | Private | lincolntech.edu |
| Black River Technical College (BRTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Residency
|
48 | Pocahontas, Arkansas | Public | blackrivertech.edu |
| San Juan College (SJC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
|
43 | Farmington, New Mexico | Public | sanjuancollege.edu |
| Athens Technical College (Athens Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
43 | Athens, Georgia | Public | athenstech.edu |
| Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
42 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | cpcc.edu |
| Pickens Technical College (PTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
41 | Aurora, Colorado | Public | pickenstech.org |
| Collin County Community College District (CCCCD) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
40 | McKinney, Texas | Public | collin.edu |
| Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
38 | Kansas City, Kansas | Public | kckcc.edu |
| Pennco Tech |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
37 | Blackwood, New Jersey | Private | penncotech.edu |
| Portland Community College (PCC) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
37 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pcc.edu |
| Coahoma Community College (CCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
36 | Clarksdale, Mississippi | Public | coahomacc.edu |
| Automotive Training Center (ATC) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
36 | Exton, Pennsylvania | Private | autotraining.edu |
| Texas State Technical College (TSTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
36 | Waco, Texas | Public | tstc.edu |
| Modesto Junior College (MJC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
35 | Modesto, California | Public | mjc.edu |
| GateWay Community College |
Other Award
|
33 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | gatewaycc.edu |
| Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center (EOC Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
32 | Choctaw, Oklahoma | Public | eoctech.edu |
| Gadsden State Community College (GSCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
31 | Gadsden, Alabama | Public | gadsdenstate.edu |
| Cypress College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
31 | Cypress, California | Public | cypresscollege.edu |
| Cleveland Community College (CCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
31 | Shelby, North Carolina | Public | clevelandcc.edu |
| City Colleges of Chicago (KKC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
30 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | ccc.edu |
| Austin Community College District (ACC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
30 | Austin, Texas | Public | austincc.edu |
| Cerritos College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
29 | Norwalk, California | Public | cerritos.edu |
| Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
29 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | slcc.edu |
| Waubonsee Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
28 | Sugar Grove, Illinois | Public | waubonsee.edu |
| Texarkana College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
28 | Texarkana, Texas | Public | texarkanacollege.edu |
| Grayson College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
27 | Denison, Texas | Public | grayson.edu |
| Mohave Community College (MCC) |
Other Award
|
26 | Kingman, Arizona | Public | mohave.edu |
| Allan Hancock College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
26 | Santa Maria, California | Public | hancockcollege.edu |
| Riverside City College (RCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
26 | Riverside, California | Public | rcc.edu |
| Coastal Carolina Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
26 | Jacksonville, North Carolina | Public | coastalcarolina.edu |
| Lake Area Technical College (LATC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
26 | Watertown, South Dakota | Public | lakeareatech.edu |
| Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
25 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | otc.edu |
| Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
25 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | waketech.edu |
| St Philip's College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
24 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | alamo.edu |
| Francis Tuttle Technology Center |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
24 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Public | francistuttle.edu |
| East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) |
Other Award
|
24 | Mesa, Arizona | Public | evit.com |
| Automotive Training Center (ATC) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
24 | Warminster, Pennsylvania | Private | autotraining.edu |
| College of Western Idaho (CWI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
24 | Nampa, Idaho | Public | cwi.edu |
| Arkansas Tech University (ATU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
23 | Russellville, Arkansas | Public | atu.edu |
| Compton College |
Other Award
|
23 | Compton, California | Public | compton.edu |
| Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
23 | Los Angeles, California | Public | lattc.edu |
| Clover Park Technical College (CPTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
23 | Lakewood, Washington | Public | cptc.edu |
| Southern Oklahoma Technology Center (SouthernTech) |
Other Award
|
22 | Ardmore, Oklahoma | Public | sotech.edu |
| Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) |
Other Award
|
22 | Beaumont, Texas | Public | lit.edu |
| San Jacinto Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
21 | Pasadena, Texas | Public | sanjac.edu |
| Canadian Valley Technology Center (CV Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
21 | El Reno, Oklahoma | Public | cvtech.edu |
| New York Automotive and Diesel Institute (NYADI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
21 | Jamaica, New York | Private | nyadi.edu |
| Manatee Technical College (MTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
20 | Bradenton, Florida | Public | manateetech.edu |
| Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKYCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
19 | Bowling Green, Kentucky | Public | southcentral.kctcs.edu |
| Ranken Technical College |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
19 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | ranken.edu |
| Tidewater Community College (TCC) |
Other Award
|
19 | Norfolk, Virginia | Public | tcc.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
19 | Nashville, Tennessee | Public | tcatnashville.edu |
| North Arkansas College (Northark) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
18 | Harrison, Arkansas | Public | northark.edu |
| George C Wallace State Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
17 | Hanceville, Alabama | Public | wallacestate.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
17 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
17 | Flat Rock, North Carolina | Public | blueridge.edu |
| Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
17 | Wilmington, North Carolina | Public | cfcc.edu |
| Rosedale Technical College |
Associate's
|
17 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | rosedaletech.org |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
17 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | tcatknoxville.edu |
| Lawson State Community College (LSCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
16 | Birmingham, Alabama | Public | lawsonstate.edu |
| Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
16 | Colorado Springs, Colorado | Public | pikespeak.edu |
| Hillsborough Community College (HCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
16 | Tampa, Florida | Public | hccfl.edu |
| West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
16 | Paducah, Kentucky | Public | westkentucky.kctcs.edu |
| Wayne Community College (WCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
16 | Goldsboro, North Carolina | Public | waynecc.edu |
| Pennco Tech |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
16 | Bristol, Pennsylvania | Private | penncotech.edu |
| Greenville Technical College (GTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
16 | Greenville, South Carolina | Public | gvltec.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
16 | Morristown, Tennessee | Public | tcatmorristown.edu |
| Mid-America Technology Center |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
16 | Wayne, Oklahoma | Public | matech.edu |
| Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
15 | Ankeny, Iowa | Public | dmacc.edu |
| St Cloud Technical and Community College (SCTCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
15 | Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Public | sctcc.edu |
| Dixie Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
15 | Saint George, Utah | Public | dixietech.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Autobody and Collision Repair Technology programs
How much can I earn with a Autobody and Collision Repair Technology degree?
Salaries for Autobody and Collision Repair Technology graduates vary by role and location. Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage earn a median of $76,650 annually, while Automotive Body and Related Repairers earn around $51,680. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Washington average $67,145 compared to $42,470 in Alabama. Approximately 341,450 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Autobody and Collision Repair Technology programs?
Currently 273 accredited institutions offer Autobody and Collision Repair Technology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) (177 graduates), WyoTech (145 graduates), and Dallas College (133 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Autobody and Collision Repair Technology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 7,109 in 2010 to 5,464 in 2023-24. This represents a 23% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Autobody and Collision Repair Technology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage, Automotive Body and Related Repairers, and Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders. Related occupations employ approximately 341,450 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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