Online Degrees for Technicians
You love machines, and machines love you back. You like working with your hands and digging in to find out how to fix something.
Now an online diploma or degree for one of many technician jobs can set you up to work on airplanes, cars or motorcycles - making good money doing what you love.
Automotive Technicians Wanted
"The shortage of qualified automotive service technicians is a very real concern for the aftermarket," said Alfred L. Gaspar, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).
"For every 10 technicians who retire or change careers each year, only two to three new technicians enter the work force."
What's the best route to become an automotive technician? Formal training, says the US Department of Labor. As technology gets more advanced, it's important to have diagnostic and problem-solving skills and knowledge of electronics and mathematics.
An online degree from an accredited school can teach you how to diagnose, service and repair both domestic and foreign automobiles.
A beginning car mechanic earns a median of about $30,000 with top technicians pulling in $70,000 and master mechanics earning in the six figures.
Motorcycle Mechanic: Hands-On
Motorcycles are becoming increasingly popular, especially with 40-and-over baby boomers.
The demand for a good motorcycle mechanic is growing. An online degree can turn your passion for the "iron horse" into a good income, with units on servicing engines and transmissions, suspension and chassis systems, electrical troubleshooting, noise diagnosis, boosting performance, and more.
Aviation Maintenance
Air travel is growing again. The job outlook for FAA-approved aviation techs, according to the US Labor Department, is good. An online degree can prepare your career for take off. The median wages for techs in aviation maintenance, according to the Labor Department, is about $21 an hour.
Sources:
Car mechanic
The Automotive Technician Shortage
Technicians' Average Salary Tops $30,000, Tim Fritz, Brake & Front End, February 2002
National Auto Dealers Association
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Motorcycle mechanic:
UTI Motorcycle Mechanic:
Aviation Maintenance:
