Medium and Heavy Vehicle Technology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Prepare for a dynamic career in the transportation and logistics sector with a focused education in medium and heavy vehicle technology. This program equips learners with advanced technical expertise to diagnose, maintain, and repair large commercial and industrial vehicles, ensuring operational reliability and safety across diverse applications.
- Diesel Engine Mechanics: Master the design, function, and repair of high-performance diesel engines, including fuel injection systems, turbocharging, and emission control technologies.
- Suspension and Steering Systems: Develop proficiency in analyzing and servicing complex suspension components and steering mechanisms critical to vehicle stability and handling.
- Brake Systems: Gain hands-on experience with air brake systems, hydraulic brakes, and advanced anti-lock braking technologies used in heavy-duty vehicles.
- Electrical and Electronic Systems: Learn to troubleshoot and repair sophisticated wiring harnesses, sensors, control modules, and onboard diagnostic systems.
- Preventive Maintenance Inspections: Apply systematic inspection protocols to identify potential failures before they occur, enhancing vehicle uptime and safety.
- Drive Trains: Understand the integration and repair of transmissions, differentials, and drivelines that transfer power from engine to wheels.
- Gasoline Engine Mechanics: Acquire foundational knowledge in the operation and servicing of gasoline-powered engines commonly found in certain commercial fleets.
- HVAC Systems: Study climate control systems, including refrigeration cycles, airflow management, and component repair for driver and passenger comfort.
- Auxiliary Equipment Installation and Repair: Learn to service and install specialized attachments such as lift gates, refrigeration units, and hydraulic systems used in delivery and transport operations.
Medium and Heavy Vehicle Technology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Medium and Heavy Vehicle Technology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Medium and Heavy Vehicle Technology degrees, including Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists and Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics. 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 976,070 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists 49-3031 | $60,640 | $41,670 - $85,980 | 287,230 | $29.15 |
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics 49-3023 | $49,670 | $33,660 - $80,850 | 688,840 | $23.88 |
Medium and Heavy Vehicle Technology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $42,775 in West Virginia to $68,300 in District of Columbia—a 60% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Alaska, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 976,070 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 Medium and Heavy Vehicle Technology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 86 institutions offering Medium and Heavy Vehicle 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 Medium and Heavy Vehicle Technology is found at Lincoln College of Technology, Grand Prairie (104 graduates), Lincoln College of Technology (Lincoln Tech), Denver (103 graduates), Lincoln College of Technology, Nashville (102 graduates), Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) (92 graduates), and Lincoln Technical Institute, South Plainfield (89 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,100 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln College of Technology |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
104 | Grand Prairie, Texas | Private | lincolntech.edu |
| Lincoln College of Technology (Lincoln Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
|
103 | Denver, Colorado | Private | lincolntech.edu |
| Lincoln College of Technology |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
|
102 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | lincolntech.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
92 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| Lincoln Technical Institute |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
89 | South Plainfield, New Jersey | Private | lincolntech.edu |
| Lincoln College of Technology (LTI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
|
70 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | lincolntech.edu |
| Lincoln Technical Institute (Lincoln Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
66 | East Windsor, Connecticut | Private | lincolntech.edu |
| Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
64 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | cpcc.edu |
| Johnston Community College (JCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
59 | Smithfield, North Carolina | Public | johnstoncc.edu |
| Ohio Technical College (Ohio Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
51 | Cleveland, Ohio | Private | ohiotech.edu |
| Northeast Technology Center |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
51 | Pryor, Oklahoma | Public | netech.edu |
| High Plains Technology Center (HPTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
48 | Woodward, Oklahoma | Public | hptc.edu |
| Wiregrass Georgia Technical College |
Other Award
|
47 | Valdosta, Georgia | Public | wiregrass.edu |
| Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
37 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Private | auto.edu |
| Davidson-Davie Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
36 | Thomasville, North Carolina | Public | davidsondavie.edu |
| Washburn Institute of Technology (Washburn Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
34 | Topeka, Kansas | Public | washburntech.edu |
| Northwest Kansas Technical College (NWKTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
30 | Goodland, Kansas | Public | nwktc.edu |
| Athens Technical College (Athens Tech) |
Other Award
|
30 | Athens, Georgia | Public | athenstech.edu |
| Wilkes Community College (WCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
29 | Wilkesboro, North Carolina | Public | wilkescc.edu |
| Oconee Fall Line Technical College (OFTC) |
Other Award
|
29 | Sandersville, Georgia | Public | oftc.edu |
| Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC) |
Other Award
|
28 | Griffin, Georgia | Public | sctech.edu |
| Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
28 | Rosemount, Minnesota | Public | dctc.edu |
| Northeastern Junior College (NJC) |
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
27 | Sterling, Colorado | Public | njc.edu |
| Forsyth Technical Community College (Forsyth Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
27 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Public | forsythtech.edu |
| Lanier Technical College (Lanier Tech) |
Other Award
|
26 | Gainesville, Georgia | Public | laniertech.edu |
| Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
26 | Jamestown, North Carolina | Public | gtcc.edu |
| Tulsa Technology Center (Tulsa Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
26 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Public | tulsatech.edu |
| Chattahoochee Technical College |
Other Award
|
25 | Marietta, Georgia | Public | chattahoocheetech.edu |
| James Sprunt Community College (JSCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
23 | Kenansville, North Carolina | Public | jamessprunt.edu |
| Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
23 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | waketech.edu |
| Francis Tuttle Technology Center |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
23 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Public | francistuttle.edu |
| Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
23 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | mybrcc.edu |
| Great Basin College (GBC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
22 | Elko, Nevada | Public | gbcnv.edu |
| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
22 | Asheville, North Carolina | Public | abtech.edu |
| Southern Oklahoma Technology Center (SouthernTech) |
Other Award
|
22 | Ardmore, Oklahoma | Public | sotech.edu |
| Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) |
Other Award
|
21 | Rome, Georgia | Public | gntc.edu |
| Houston Community College (HCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
20 | Houston, Texas | Public | hccs.edu |
| Albany Technical College |
Other Award
|
19 | Albany, Georgia | Public | albanytech.edu |
| West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) |
Other Award
|
19 | Waco, Georgia | Public | westgatech.edu |
| Southeast Community College Area (SCC) |
Associate's
|
19 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | southeast.edu |
| Gordon Cooper Technology Center (GCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
19 | Shawnee, Oklahoma | Public | gctech.edu |
| Gwinnett Technical College (Gwinnett Tech) |
Other Award
|
18 | Lawrenceville, Georgia | Public | gwinnetttech.edu |
| College of Southern Idaho (CSI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
18 | Twin Falls, Idaho | Public | csi.edu |
| Hennepin Technical College (HTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
18 | Brooklyn Park, Minnesota | Public | hennepintech.edu |
| Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) |
Other Award
|
18 | Warner Robins, Georgia | Public | centralgatech.edu |
| Atlanta Technical College (Atlanta Tech) |
Other Award
|
17 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | atlantatech.edu |
| Manatee Technical College (MTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
16 | Bradenton, Florida | Public | manateetech.edu |
| Traviss Technical College (TTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
16 | Lakeland, Florida | Public | traviss.edu |
| First Coast Technical College (FCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
16 | Saint Augustine, Florida | Public | fctc.edu |
| Seward County Community College (SCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
15 | Liberal, Kansas | Public | sccc.edu |
| Southwest University |
Associate's
|
15 | El Paso, Texas | Private | southwestuniversity.edu |
| Baker College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
14 | Owosso, Michigan | Private | baker.edu |
| Washington State Community College (WSCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
14 | Marietta, Ohio | Public | wscc.edu |
| Caddo Kiowa Technology Center (CKTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
14 | Fort Cobb, Oklahoma | Public | cktc.edu |
| Lively Technical College (Lively Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
13 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | livelytech.com |
| Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
13 | Wilmington, North Carolina | Public | cfcc.edu |
| Central Technology Center |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
13 | Drumright, Oklahoma | Public | centraltech.edu |
| Canadian Valley Technology Center (CV Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
13 | El Reno, Oklahoma | Public | cvtech.edu |
| Highland Community College (HCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
12 | Highland, Kansas | Public | highlandcc.edu |
| Salina Area Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
12 | Salina, Kansas | Public | salinatech.edu |
| St Cloud Technical and Community College (SCTCC) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
|
12 | Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Public | sctcc.edu |
| Williston State College (WSC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
12 | Williston, North Dakota | Public | willistonstate.edu |
| H W Brewster Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
12 | Tampa, Florida | Public | hillsboroughschools.org |
| Lake Technical College (Lake Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
11 | Eustis, Florida | Public | laketech.org |
| Saint Paul College |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
11 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Public | saintpaul.edu |
| South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) |
Other Award
|
10 | Americus, Georgia | Public | southgatech.edu |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
10 | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | Public | cvtc.edu |
| Ogeechee Technical College (OTC) |
Other Award
|
10 | Statesboro, Georgia | Public | ogeecheetech.edu |
| Ridge Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
9 | Winter Haven, Florida | Public | ridge.edu |
| Mid-America Technology Center |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
9 | Wayne, Oklahoma | Public | matech.edu |
| Southeastern Technical College (STC) |
Other Award
|
8 | Vidalia, Georgia | Public | southeasterntech.edu |
| Carteret Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | Morehead City, North Carolina | Public | carteret.edu |
| Dodge City Community College (DC3) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | Dodge City, Kansas | Public | dc3.edu |
| Western Wyoming Community College (WWCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | Rock Springs, Wyoming | Public | westernwyoming.edu |
| Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (CCC&TI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
4 | Hudson, North Carolina | Public | cccti.edu |
| Coastal Pines Technical College (CPTC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Waycross, Georgia | Public | coastalpines.edu |
| University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College |
Residency
|
3 | North Little Rock, Arkansas | Public | uaptc.edu |
| North Central Kansas Technical College (NCK Tech) |
Associate's
|
3 | Beloit, Kansas | Public | ncktc.edu |
| Pinellas Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Clearwater, Florida | Public | myptc.edu |
| Florida Panhandle Technical College (FPTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
2 | Chipley, Florida | Public | fptc.edu |
| Berks Career & Technology Center (BCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Leesport, Pennsylvania | Public | berkscareer.com |
| Arkansas State University Mid-South |
Other Award
|
1 | West Memphis, Arkansas | Public | asumidsouth.edu |
| Florida State College (FSCJ) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Jacksonville, Florida | Public | fscj.edu |
| Butler Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | El Dorado, Kansas | Public | butlercc.edu |
| State Technical College of Missouri (State Tech) |
Associate's
|
1 | Linn, Missouri | Public | statetechmo.edu |
| Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center (GACTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Altoona, Pennsylvania | Public | gactc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Medium and Heavy Vehicle Technology programs
How much can I earn with a Medium and Heavy Vehicle Technology degree?
Salaries for Medium and Heavy Vehicle Technology graduates vary by role and location. Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists earn a median of $60,640 annually, while Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics earn around $49,670. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $68,300 compared to $42,775 in West Virginia. Approximately 976,070 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 Medium and Heavy Vehicle Technology programs?
Currently 86 accredited institutions offer Medium and Heavy Vehicle Technology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Lincoln College of Technology, Grand Prairie (104 graduates), Lincoln College of Technology (Lincoln Tech), Denver (103 graduates), and Lincoln College of Technology, Nashville (102 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 Medium and Heavy Vehicle Technology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 308 in 2010 to a peak of 2,427 in 2020, before declining slightly to 2,100 in 2023-24. This represents a 582% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, 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 Medium and Heavy Vehicle Technology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, . Related occupations employ approximately 976,070 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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