How to Become an Auto Mechanic in Colorado

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How to Become an Auto Mechanic in Colorado

If you have the talent to work with your hands and also like cars, an auto mechanic career is perfect for you.

But, you will need to complete training and develop your skills first.

Read this guide to find out more!

Auto Mechanic Training in Colorado

Before you get hired, you will need to attend a program in order to train.

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Training will help you get the skills you need to find a good job in the field.

The program you opt for depends on how much education you are willing to pursue.

You can either pursue a certificate or get an associate’s degree.

You can also opt for a bachelor’s degree if you want higher credentials.

Before you can attend the program you chose, you need to fulfill some requirements.

These include the following:

  • A high school graduate or have a GED
  • Good at math
  • Computer proficient
  • Good with physics

The credit hours vary from program to program will also differ, but the subjects will be the same.

Keep in mind you need to join a program approved by the National Automotive Technician Education Foundation (NATEF).

The associate’s degree and bachelor’s degree programs take around 2 years to complete.

You can locate suitable auto mechanic programs in the schools below:

  • Arapahoe Community College
  • Pikes Peak Community College
  • Colorado Mesa University

If you are a high-school student in Colorado, you can attend a program before you graduate.

Such programs are available in Overland High School in Aurora, Brighton High School in Brighton, and Doherty High School in Colorado Springs.

How to Get an ASE Certification in Colorado

In Colorado, you are not required to pursue an ASE certification.

But, most employers ask for it, so you may have a hard time finding a job if you don’t have it.

To become ASE certified, you have to take only one of the 50 tests put at your disposal.

To be eligible for the ASE diploma, you need:

  • Two years of related work experience
  • To pass an exam

In order to keep this certification current, you need to take the exam again after 5 years pass.

In Colorado, you can choose from one of the exam categories below:

  • Auto Maintenance and Light Repair Certification Test (G1)
  • Automobile & Light Truck Certification Tests (A Series)
  • Collision Repair & Refinish Certification Tests (B Series)
  • Damage Analysis & Estimating Certification Test (B6)
  • Automobile Service Consultant Certification Test (C1)
  • Truck Equipment Certification Tests (E Series)
  • Alternate Fuels Certification Test (F1)
  • Transit Bus Certification Tests (H Series)
  • Advanced Engine Performance Specialist Certification Test (L1)
  • Electronic Diesel Engine Diagnosis Specialist Certification Test (L2)
  • Light Duty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialist Test (L3)
  • Engine Machinist Certification Tests (M Series)
  • Parts Specialist Certification Tests (P Series)
  • School Bus Certification Tests (S Series)
  • Medium-Heavy Truck Certification Tests (T Series)
  • Undercar Specialist Exhaust Systems Test (X1)

In order to take the test, you will have to first schedule it in advance with a testing center in your region.

This exam has to be attended in person, and you can’t take it online.

How to Get an EPA 609-Refrigerant Certification

If you want to be to do Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning, you will need this certification.

For this, you need to attend a 609-refrigerant certification training course.

After the course is finished, you will have to take an exam and score at least 84%.

If you don’t have enough time to join a physical course, you can also attend this program online.

Training as an Apprentice

Apprenticeships are not a common way of becoming an auto mechanic.

The only period that can be considered an apprenticeship is the internship that is mandatory in formal educational programs.

Auto Mechanic Schools in Colorado

School Name Address
Lincoln College of Technology 11194 E 45th Ave, Denver, CO 80239
Intellitec College Automotive 55 Iowa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Aims Automotive & Technology Center 1120 Southgate Dr, Windsor, CO 80550
Pickens Technical College 500 Airport Blvd, Aurora, CO 80011
Emily Griffith Technical College Trades Campus 1205 Osage St, Denver, CO 80203
Technical College of the Rockies 1765 US-50, Delta, CO 81416
Otero College 1802 Colorado Ave, La Junta, CO 81050
Red Rocks Community College 13300 W 6th Ave Frontage Rd, Lakewood, CO 80228
Front Range Community College 3645 W 112th Ave, Westminster, CO 80031
Arapahoe Community College 5900 S Santa Fe Dr, Littleton, CO 80120
Morgan Community College 920 Barlow Rd, Fort Morgan, CO 80701
Pikes Peak Community College 5675 S Academy Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Trinidad State College 600 Prospect St, Trinidad, CO 81082
Pueblo Community College 900 W Orman Ave, Pueblo, CO 81004
Colorado Mountain College 802 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
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Salaries for Auto Mechanics in Colorado

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), auto mechanics in Colorado make about $40,000 per year.

How much you earn will also vary according to your region.

In some specific areas, you can even make over $50,000 a year.

Annual Salary Range:
$30K
$39K
$51K
10%
50%
90%
Annual Salary by Location:
Location Avg. Annual Salary
Denver $40,570
Colorado Springs $39,928
Aurora $40,543
Fort Collins $39,054
Thornton $40,570
Arvada $40,570
Westminster $40,570
Pueblo $37,204
Boulder $41,096
Greeley $39,204

Regional Salary in Colorado

Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Boulder, CO660$59,920$28.81$84,880$34,500
Colorado Springs, CO1,590$55,800$26.83$79,540$32,240
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO6,420$58,450$28.1$86,710$37,280
Fort Collins, CO790$58,100$27.93$79,060$37,220
Grand Junction, CO460$52,550$25.26$76,590$33,670
Greeley, CO610$57,020$27.41$79,000$36,260
Pueblo, CO300$51,560$24.79$75,900$34,650
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, OCC Code 49-3023, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Where to find work as an auto mechanic in Colorado

In Colorado, the best regions to get hired as an auto mechanic are Denver, Colorado Springs, and Boulder.

You can also find a well-paid job in Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, and Grand Junction.

After you complete your training and get certified, you can get hired by a dealership, warehouse, or paint shop.

USA Mechanic Schools by City


USA Mechanic Schools by State


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Earn your accredited, affordable Auto Repair career diploma online with Penn Foster in as little as 4 months!

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