Auto Mechanic Schools in South Dakota

Becoming a successful auto mechanic in South Dakota involves mandatory and non-mandatory steps. Even though a step is optional, it is still important.

This page’s guide aims to help aspiring auto mechanics in South Dakota make the right career decisions by highlighting all the important steps needed to enter the profession below. We list all the mandatory considerations and clarify the process’s non-mandatory yet highly important parts.

Readers will also understand what factors influence the potential salary for auto mechanics in South Dakota, what the projections look like for the coming years, and what specific salary figures they may expect to earn at various career points.

How to Become an Auto Mechanic in South Dakota

Future auto mechanics in South Dakota are expected to follow the steps below to launch their careers on the right path.

High School Diploma & Basic Requirements

Virtually all employers of auto mechanics want candidates who have completed some form of training. Most training programs, in turn, want candidates with at least a high school diploma.

Those who don’t have a high school diploma may complete GED tests in just a few months.

Trade and Vocational Schools

Candidates may look to trade and vocational schools offering certificates and diplomas for their auto mechanic training. Some of these programs even partner with high schools to provide early education.

Community colleges also offer two-year degree programs, and candidates may attend a military program. At this point, students should start gaining a fundamental understanding of engine repair, electrical systems, suspension, and steering, among other subjects.

Hands-On Training

After academic training comes hands-on training, this is the part where candidates start working in a dealership or auto workshop, becoming familiar with the day-to-day tasks expected of them when they secure full-time employment.

Candidates may also start specializing during this time. Specialization can be achieved by focusing on a specific vehicular part or manufacturer.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• How to become an electrician in South Dakota

Licensure & Certification Requirements

South Dakota is one of the states where candidates are not expected to receive a license before starting their careers. They are expected to become certified only because it is a norm among professionals, and employers may only look kindly at certified ones.

For instance, an organization such as the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence can provide candidates with specialty credentials that will help them secure career opportunities. Certified auto mechanics are more attractive to potential employers, well-positioned to learn new skills through continuing education, and create a favorable network with their fellow professionals.

Of course, anyone who wants to become certified by the ASE must take skills verification examinations.

Top Auto Mechanic Schools in South Dakota

The schools below offer high-quality auto mechanic programs for candidates in South Dakota.

Explore auto mechanic schools in South Dakota by city:

• Auto mechanic schools in Sioux Falls

Salary & Career Outlook

When starting an auto mechanic career in South Dakota, candidates can expect to fall in median or low-earning. Those who fall among the former earn around $62,144 on average at the end of each year, while those who fall into the latter category still have an annual average salary of around $43,371. The highest-paid in the state are those who make an annual average salary of $89,043 or more.

The professionals in this category manage such figures thanks to their experience level, specialty focus, capacity for employment, and professional credentials, among other factors. Candidates may also earn higher based on their specific location in the state.

Sioux Falls is the first for annual average salary by location, with around $76,548 per year. Tea follows with an annual average salary of $68,320, while Yankton rounds out the top three with an annual average salary of $67,342.

The projections for auto mechanics in South Dakota are positive, and employment figures are set to improve by thousands over the coming years.