Training time
6 months–2 years
State license
Required
Michigan median pay
$54,120 a year
Openings per year
About 2,090
Michigan builds cars, and it also needs people to fix them. Automotive technicians here earn more than the national median, and the job is projected to grow much faster than the state’s economy overall. Michigan also requires mechanics to be state certified, so knowing the rules up front saves you time.
Quick answer
- Time: college certificates take about a semester to a year. Associate degrees take about two years, and dealer-sponsored programs add paid work time.
- Cost: state tests are $18 each, the certification application is $25 and a trainee permit is $20. Tuition varies by school.
- License: Michigan requires state certification in each repair category you work in.
- Pay: the Michigan median is $54,120 a year ($26.02 an hour), about $3,500 above the national median.
From the dean’s desk
ASE certifications still matter a lot. They’re the standard, and manufacturers want to see you have the basics down before they teach you their advanced systems.
— Lester Burkes, Dean of Trades, Transportation & Apprenticeship
What an automotive technician does
Auto techs inspect, diagnose and repair cars and light trucks. The work covers engines, transmissions, brakes, steering, heating and air conditioning, and more and more electronics. Most techs work in dealerships, independent repair shops, tire and service chains, and fleet garages.
Modern vehicles, including hybrids and electric vehicles, depend on computers. The best-paid techs are often the ones who are strongest at diagnosis.
Michigan license and certification requirements
Under Michigan’s Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act (Act 300 of 1974), anyone who repairs vehicles for pay must be certified by the Michigan Department of State (SOS). There is no grandfather clause for experienced mechanics. (Michigan SOS)
Automobile and light truck categories
You certify one category at a time. Pass the first eight and you become a Master Automobile Mechanic:
- Engine Repair
- Automatic Transmission
- Manual Transmission, Front and Rear Drive Axles
- Front End, Suspension and Steering
- Brakes and Braking Systems
- Electrical Systems
- Heating and Air Conditioning
- Engine Tune-Up and Performance
A ninth category covers pre-1973 vehicles. Collision estimators who assess structural damage need the Unitized Body Structural Repair certification. Service writers who only greet customers and handle paperwork don’t need certification.
Trainee permits
Not certified yet? A $20 trainee permit lets you do major repairs for two years under the direct supervision of a mechanic certified in the same category. It can’t be renewed, and it must be displayed at the shop.
Tests, fees and renewals
- Tests are taken at Secretary of State offices by appointment, or at approved schools for their own students. You must pre-register first.
- Most tests have about 55 multiple-choice questions. Passing is 65% or higher depending on the test. One attempt per category per day.
- Fees: $18 per test (including retakes), $25 certification application, $20 trainee permit.
- Three categories must be renewed every five years: Engine Tune-Up/Performance, Electrical Systems, and Brakes. All other auto categories are good for life.
ASE and your Michigan certificate
ASE certification is voluntary but widely respected. ASE alone doesn’t make you a Michigan-certified mechanic. Some ASE certifications can be transferred in place of state tests, using a status letter from myASE. Student-level ASE tests don’t qualify.
Exemptions include work on your own or a family member’s vehicle, automaker employees working only on that maker’s vehicles, and techs who work only for a single company or government fleet.
How much automotive technicians make in Michigan
Michigan auto techs earned a median of $54,120 in May 2025, compared with $50,620 nationally. Ann Arbor, Lansing and Detroit paid above the state median.
| Area | Median pay (May 2025) | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $50,620 | $24.34 |
| Michigan | $54,120 | $26.02 |
| Detroit–Warren–Dearborn | $56,000 | $26.92 |
| Grand Rapids–Wyoming–Kentwood | $49,310 | $23.71 |
| Lansing–East Lansing | $56,130 | $26.99 |
| Ann Arbor | $58,420 | $28.09 |
Source: O*NET OnLine, BLS OEWS May 2025
The top 10% of Michigan auto techs earned about $79,060 or more. Monroe ($57,400) was another strong-paying area.
Job outlook in Michigan
Michigan had about 23,660 auto technician jobs in 2024 and is projected to reach about 24,910 by 2034, growth of about 5%. That is roughly 12 times the 0.4% growth projected for all Michigan jobs. Expect about 2,090 openings a year.
Nationally, BLS projects 5% growth from 2025 to 2035, faster than average, with about 66,200 openings a year.
Training paths in Michigan
Dealer-sponsored programs (earn while you learn)
Automakers partner with Michigan colleges on programs where you alternate between class and paid work at a sponsoring dealership. You usually need a dealer sponsor to get in, so start talking to dealerships early.
- GM ASEP: Delta College (AAS, 6 semesters, sponsorship from a GM dealer or ACDelco Professional Service Center required) and Macomb Community College (classroom work plus on-the-job training at a sponsoring GM-approved facility).
- Ford ASSET: Henry Ford College in Dearborn, an associate degree that alternates eight-week class sessions with full-time work at a sponsoring Ford or Lincoln dealership.
- Mopar CAP: Kirtland Community College, Mott Community College in Flint, and Oakland Community College in Auburn Hills all offer Mopar CAP training.
- Toyota T-TEN: we could not confirm a Michigan T-TEN school. Check Toyota’s program finder or ask a local Toyota or Lexus dealer.
See which Michigan apprenticeships are accepting applications right now: Michigan Apprenticeship Tracker
College automotive programs
These Michigan colleges offer automotive technician programs, listed in alphabetical order. Confirm costs and start dates with each school.
- Delta College (University Center): GM ASEP associate degree, accredited through the ASE Education Foundation.
- Grand Rapids Community College: an automotive program accredited by the ASE Education Foundation that covers all eight state certification areas.
- Henry Ford College (Dearborn): Ford ASSET associate degree.
- Kalamazoo Valley Community College: Automotive Drivability Systems and Automotive Undercar Systems AAS degrees and a General Automotive Service certificate.
- Kirtland Community College: Automotive Technology AAS and a Master Certification certificate, with Mopar CAP.
- Lansing Community College: Automotive Technologies programs for future service technicians.
- Macomb Community College (Warren/Clinton Township): Automotive Technology, including GM ASEP.
- Mott Community College (Flint): Automotive Technology AAS covering all eight ASE areas, with Mopar CAP.
- Oakland Community College (Auburn Hills): Automobile Servicing AAS (61 credits) plus shorter certificates, including Maintenance and Light Repair.
- Washtenaw Community College (Ann Arbor): Automotive Services Technician certificate that prepares students for state mechanic and ASE tests.
Ask each school how much hands-on shop time you get, whether you can take state mechanic tests on site, and which dealers and shops hire their graduates.
Step-by-step: how to become an auto technician in Michigan
1
Finish high school or a GED
Auto shop, math and electronics classes give you a head start. Many high school career centers offer auto programs.
2
Pick a training path
Choose a college program, a dealer-sponsored program like GM ASEP, Ford ASSET or Mopar CAP, or an entry-level shop job.
3
Get a trainee permit
A $20 SOS trainee permit lets you do major repairs under a certified mechanic for up to two years.
4
Pass your state tests
Pre-register, test at SOS or an approved school, and add categories as you go. All eight makes you a Master Automobile Mechanic.
5
Earn ASE certifications
Once you meet ASE’s experience rules, ASE credentials can boost your pay and may transfer to your state certificate.
6
Keep your certificates current
Renew Engine Tune-Up, Electrical and Brakes every five years, and keep learning hybrid and EV systems.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a license to be a mechanic in Michigan?
Yes. Michigan law requires state certification for anyone who repairs vehicles for pay, by category.
What does Michigan mechanic certification cost?
$18 per test (including retakes), $25 for the certification application and $20 for a trainee permit.
How do I become a Master Automobile Mechanic?
Pass the first eight automobile and light truck categories.
Can I transfer my ASE certifications?
Some ASE certifications can be used in place of state tests. Student-level ASE tests don’t count.
Is there a grandfather clause for experienced mechanics?
No. Experienced mechanics must pass the state tests, apart from qualifying ASE transfers.
What score do I need to pass?
65% or higher depending on the test. Most tests have about 55 multiple-choice questions.
How much do auto techs earn in Michigan?
The median was $54,120 ($26.02 an hour) in May 2025. Ann Arbor ($58,420), Lansing ($56,130) and Detroit ($56,000) were above that, while Grand Rapids ($49,310) was below.
Sources
- Michigan Department of State: Mechanics
- Michigan Department of State: Mechanics FAQ
- Michigan Department of State: Mechanic testing
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
- O*NET OnLine: Automotive technician wages in Michigan (BLS OEWS May 2025)
- O*NET OnLine: Automotive technician projections in Michigan
- Michigan Center for Data and Analytics: Statewide projections to 2034
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