Transportation plays a crucial role in our society because moving people and goods is central to everything America does. Vehicle components and systems will continue to become increasingly sophisticated which, in turn, will require well-trained operators and maintenance and repair technicians. Examples of future transportation technology include rocket technology, super-capacity jet airplanes, hybrid, bio-diesel, and hydrogen fuel-cell technology involving automobiles and trucks.
Career Pathways
More and more people and products are being moved by air than ever before. This practice is expected to continue increasing at a fast pace, which will in turn open more opportunities in this pathway. Aviation and aerospace services include maintaining aircrafts, operating airports, and designing and flying various types of aircrafts.
Careers/Career Areas:
- Ground Support Crews
- Freight and Baggage Handlers
- Ticket Agents
- Flight Attendants
- Airframe and Power Plant Technicians
- Dispatchers
- Air Traffic Controllers
- Pilots
- Aviation Engineers
- Aircraft Detailers
- Mechanics Assistants
Like to work on puzzles? Piece together broken items? Then collision repair may be for you. Using specialized equipment, a frame technician can return most damaged vehicles to the road. An exterior finisher returns the vehicle to its original appearance.
Careers/Career Areas:
- Collision Repair Technicians
- Auto Detailers
- Refinish Technicians
- Auto Damage Appraisers
- Glass Installers
- Claims Adjusters
- Parts Specialists
- Vehicle Restoration
- Vehicle Painters
In your grandparent’s day, “shade tree” mechanics were common. You could claim to be a mechanic with a few simple tools – but that day has long passed! Vehicle service and repair is now a highly skilled profession that requires more brainpower than muscle power. Solving problems with your head is critical. In addition to cars and trucks, the motor vehicles category includes boats, motorcycles, trains, and outdoor power equipment. All require specific knowledge in order to be serviced, repaired, and maintained properly.
Careers/Career Areas:
- Lube, Line, and Smog Technicians
- Service Writers
- Diesel Engine
- Small Engine
- Parts and Service Counter Technicians
- Parts Runners
- After-Market Sales
- Shop Foremen
- Manufacturers Representatives
- Motorcycle, Heavy Equipment, and Farm Equipment Mechanics
Programs of Study
Labor Market Information
The information below is just a small sample of the many great employment related resources available on the State of California website www.edd.ca.gov. We encourage you to visit the website and explore the available information.
| Occupation Title | Employment Levels in 2006 | Projected Employment Level 2016 | Projected Job Growth | Percent of Job Growth | 2008 Hourly ¹Mean Wage | 2008 ²Weekly Mean Wage | 2008 ³Monthly Mean Wage | 2008 Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineers | 25,600 | 27,600 | 2,000 | 7.8% | $49.91 | $1,996.40 | $8,384.88 | $100,619.00 |
| Air Traffic Controllers | 2,400 | 2,800 | 400 | 16.7% | $55.14 | $2,205.60 | $9,263.52 | $111,162.00 |
| Aircraft Mechanics & Service Technicians | 11,700 | 13,200 | 1,500 | 12.8% | $27.12 | $1,084.80 | $4,556.16 | $54,673.90 |
| Airfield Operations Specialists | 0 | 0.0% | $27.98 | $1,119.20 | $4,700.64 | $56,407.70 | ||
| Airline Pilots, copilots, & Flight Engineers | 5,900 | 6,500 | 600 | 10.2% | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Automotive Body & Related Repairers | 15,300 | 16,300 | 1,000 | 6.5% | $20.49 | $819.60 | $3,442.32 | $41,307.80 |
| Automotive Glass Installers | 2,700 | 3,000 | 300 | 11.1% | $16.73 | $669.20 | $2,810.64 | $33,727.70 |
| Automotive Service Technicians & Mechanics | 79,000 | 90,200 | 11,200 | 14.2% | $20.12 | $804.80 | $3,380.16 | $40,561.90 |
| Avionics Technicians | 1,600 | 1,700 | 100 | 6.3% | $25.04 | $1,001.60 | $4,206.72 | $50,480.60 |
| Bus & Truck Mechanics | 28,500 | 32,200 | 3,700 | 13.0% | $21.94 | $877.60 | $3,685.92 | $44,231.00 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, & Investigators | 31,200 | 35,000 | 3,800 | 12.2% | $28.79 | $1,151.60 | $4,836.72 | $58,040.60 |
| Commercial Pilots | 2,800 | 3,300 | 500 | 17.9% | $37.95 | $1,518.00 | $6,375.60 | $76,507.20 |
| Flight Attendants | 11,100 | 11,900 | 800 | 7.2% | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Insurance Apprasers, Auto Damage | 1,400 | 1,600 | 200 | 14.3% | $26.88 | $1,075.20 | $4,515.84 | $54,190.10 |
| Mechanics, Installers, & Repair Supervisors | 44,500 | 49,400 | 4,900 | 11.0% | $31.14 | $1,245.60 | $5,231.52 | $62,778.20 |
| Motorcycle Mechanic | 2,200 | 2,400 | 200 | 9.1% | $19.84 | $793.60 | $3,333.12 | $39,997.40 |
| Painters, Transportation Equipment | 7,100 | 7,600 | 500 | 7.0% | $20.92 | $836.80 | $3,514.56 | $42,174.70 |
| Parts Salesperson | 22,500 | 22,300 | -200 | -0.9% | $16.96 | $678.40 | $2,849.28 | $34,191.40 |
| Reservation & Transportation Ticket Agents | 16,100 | 16,500 | 400 | 2.5% | $15.32 | $612.80 | $2,573.76 | $30,885.10 |
| Service Station Attendants | 8,800 | 10,700 | 1,900 | 21.6% | $11.54 | $461.60 | $1,938.72 | $23,264.60 |
| Transportation Attendants | 1,600 | 2,000 | 400 | 25.0% | $12.89 | $515.60 | $2,165.52 | $25,986.20 |
| Transportation Inspectors | 2,000 | 2,300 | 300 | 15.0% | $31.38 | $1,255.20 | $5,271.84 | $63,262.10 |