Transportation

Transportation Icon

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

Aviation and Aerospace Transportation Services Pathway

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

Collision Repair and Refinishing Pathway

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

Vehicle Maintenance, Service, and Repair Pathway

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

Program of Study Career Pathway Download this Program of Study

Automotive Collision Repair Community College Major

 		Collision Repair and Refinishing Pathway
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ACR.doc

Aviation Maintenance Technology Community College Major

 		Aviation and Aerospace Transportation Services Pathway
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Aviation.doc

Vechile Maintenance, Service, and Repair Community College Major

 		Vehicle Maintenance, Service, and Repair Pathway
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vehicle maintance.doc

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

These selected occupations with information on job growth, percent growth and earning potentials are based on information found at www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov.

¹Mean: Midpoint between highest & lowest ²Weekly: Based on 40 hours ³Monthly: Based on 168 hours

Employment Data Sheet: 
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transportation-labor.pdf
Brochure: 
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transportation-industry-brochure.pdf

This material is made pursuant to agreement number 07-0170a of the CTE Community Collaborative Supplemental grant. Funds were administered by the Governor’s CTE Initiative SB70/SB 1133 through the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.

Activity that is the subject of this document was supported in whole or part by the U.S. Department of Education. However, the opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and no official endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education should be inferred.

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