Ohio's Automotive Technology pathway prepares students for careers as automotive technicians in one of the state's largest employment sectors. The program covers diagnosis and repair of all major vehicle systems including engines, transmissions, brakes, electrical systems, steering, suspension, and increasingly complex computer-controlled components.
Students work with modern diagnostic equipment, manufacturer-specific scan tools, and electronic service information systems. Many Ohio programs are ASE Education Foundation certified and include training on traditional internal combustion engines plus emerging electric and hybrid vehicle technologies.
Ohio's automotive sector—including assembly plants, parts suppliers, and thousands of dealerships and independent repair shops—creates abundant career opportunities. The state's central location and manufacturing heritage make automotive technology a particularly relevant and valuable career pathway for Ohio students.
Automotive Technology at a Glance
4
Courses
8
Credentials
5
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
Ohio's Automotive Technology pathway follows the state's Career-Technical Competency Analysis Profiles aligned with ASE Education Foundation standards and NATEF accreditation requirements. Programs must prepare students for ASE student certifications in multiple areas including brakes, electrical systems, engine performance, and suspension/steering. The curriculum emphasizes diagnostic procedures, customer service, and workplace professionalism essential for automotive service careers.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course | Code |
|---|---|
| Automotive Fundamentals | AUTO001 |
| Engine Performance and Diagnosis | AUTO002 |
| Automotive Electrical Systems | AUTO003 |
| Advanced Automotive Technology | AUTO004 |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
- ✓TRUST (Recreational UAS Safety Test)
- ✓Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA)
- ✓Autodesk Certified User - Inventor
- ✓Autodesk Certified User - AutoCAD
- ✓Unity Certified User - Programmer
- ✓CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+)
- ✓Microsoft Office Specialist - Excel
- ✓IC3 Digital Literacy Certification
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
Automotive Technician
Entry LevelSalary range: $36,050 - $61,820
Adjusted for cost of living: $39,266
Diesel Technician
Entry LevelSalary range: $49,130 - $65,620
Adjusted for cost of living: $53,513
Automotive Service Manager
ExperiencedSalary range: $36,050 - $61,820
Adjusted for cost of living: $51,204
Master Technician
ExperiencedSalary range: $41,040 - $57,220
Adjusted for cost of living: $51,530
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Cooperative education with dealerships and repair shops. Summer employment with automotive service providers. Registered apprenticeships with independent shops. Internships with fleet maintenance facilities. Manufacturer-sponsored training programs with Ohio dealerships.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in SkillsUSA, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps Ohio CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
Ohio Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with Ohio's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as Ohio standards and industry needs evolve
Related Pathways in Ohio
Collision Repair and Refinishing
Ohio's Collision Repair and Refinishing pathway prepares students for careers repairing damaged vehicles and applying finishes. Collision repair technicians restore accident-damaged vehicles to pre-accident condition, a high-value service in the automotive industry. Students study damage assessment, metal working, welding, plastic repair, paint preparation, and refinishing techniques. They work on actual vehicles, learning the precise techniques required for quality collision repair. Graduates work as collision repair technicians or refinish technicians with collision repair shops, dealerships, and insurance-approved repair centers. Career advancement leads to shop supervisor, manager, or shop ownership. Union apprenticeships in collision repair offer pathways to well-compensated positions.
Transportation SystemsDiesel Technology
Ohio's Diesel Technology pathway prepares students for careers servicing and repairing heavy-duty diesel engines used in trucks, buses, construction equipment, and agricultural machinery. With significant diesel-powered transportation and equipment industries in Ohio, diesel technicians are in strong demand. Students study diesel engine fundamentals, fuel systems, electrical systems, electronic controls, troubleshooting, and safety practices. They work with actual diesel engines and equipment, learning diagnostic and repair procedures used by diesel service technicians. Graduates work as diesel technicians with truck dealers, equipment manufacturers, fleet service facilities, and independent shops. Career advancement leads to senior technician, shop supervisor, or service manager roles. Many pursue manufacturer certifications (Cummins, Duramax) and union apprenticeships.
Transportation SystemsRelated Glossary Terms
CTE Pathways
CTE Pathways are structured sequences of courses within a Career Cluster that prepare students for a specific group of related occupations. Pathways combine academic and technical instruction, providing a clear roadmap from introductory courses through advanced, specialized training aligned with industry standards and postsecondary opportunities.
ProgrammaticStandards Alignment
Standards alignment in CTE refers to the process of ensuring that curriculum, instruction, and assessments directly connect to and address state-adopted CTE standards, academic standards, and industry-recognized competencies. Proper alignment ensures students develop the specific knowledge and skills their state requires for career readiness.
ProgrammaticWork-Based Learning
Work-Based Learning (WBL) encompasses a range of educational strategies that connect classroom instruction with real workplace experiences. Activities include internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, clinical rotations, and cooperative education, all designed to help CTE students apply technical skills in authentic industry settings.
ProgrammaticIndustry Certifications in CTE
Industry certifications in CTE are credentials issued by industry organizations or third-party bodies that validate a student's mastery of specific technical skills and knowledge. Examples include CompTIA A+, AWS Certified Welder, and ServSafe, which demonstrate career readiness to employers in ways that transcend state and district boundaries.
AssessmentReady to Build Automotive Technology Programs at Scale?
See how Sage can help you create standards-aligned curriculum for Automotive Technology in Ohio.