Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Lake Area Technical College

Graduates from the Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies program at Lake Area Technical College can expect a positive earnings trajectory. One year after graduation, median earnings are reported at $37,379.00, which increases to $54,703.00 after five years and reaches $66,580.00 after ten years. When adjusted for purchasing power, the five-year salary equivalent nationally stands at $58,318.76, indicating that graduates can maintain a competitive standard of living despite regional cost-of-living differences, as South Dakota's cost-of-living index is 0.938 compared to the national average of 1.0.

The program's graduates predominantly enter the Health Care & Social Assistance sector, which accounts for 52.2% of employment, followed by 18.8% in the same sector and 17.9% in Manufacturing. The estimated break-even point for this educational path compared to a high school-only route is approximately 10.1 years, suggesting that the investment in this program may yield a favorable return over time. Overall, the data indicates a solid return on investment for students pursuing this field, particularly given the strong employment opportunities in growing industries.