How to Become an Auto Mechanic in Rhode Island (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Rhode Island employs about 2,530 auto mechanics earning a median $51,770 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as an Auto Mechanic here means completing a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship.

Compare Auto Mechanic Schools in Rhode Island

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
167.8Contact school for pricing$46,17489%—6 mi
262.3$37,275$62,15160%Yes*10 mi
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358.1$5,856 in-state / $10,800 out-of-state$56,07617%Yes*37 mi
458.1$6,262 in-state / $11,206 out-of-state$55,07622%Yes*41 mi
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554.0$7,090 in-state / $15,340 out-of-state$44,86341%Yes*85 mi
653.9$5,376 in-state / $10,320 out-of-state$54,28819%Yes*30 mi
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753.3$6,160 in-state / $11,080 out-of-state$53,97724%Yes*62 mi
849.0$7,140 in-state / $15,390 out-of-state$54,79238%Yes*70 mi
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947.6$5,338 in-state / $15,596 out-of-state$50,13024%Yes*64 mi
1043.7$18,906$57,09346%—43 mi
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Rhode Island employs approximately 2,530 auto mechanics according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $51,770 1. Nationally, auto mechanic employment is projected to grow 4.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 70,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become an Auto Mechanic in Rhode Island, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade-school or community-college program in the specialty (find programs)
  • Typical timeline: a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship
  • Exam: ASE or OEM certification
  • Median wage (Rhode Island): $51,770 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become an Auto Mechanic in Rhode Island

How to become an Auto Mechanic in Rhode Island? Complete a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

How long does it take? Most people finish a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.

Do I need a license in Rhode Island? Most states do not require a statewide occupational license. Employers typically expect ASE or OEM certification. See the licensing section below.

What do auto mechanics earn in Rhode Island? The median annual wage for auto mechanics in Rhode Island is $51,770 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $31,860 and experienced professionals can earn $80,780 or more 1.

How to Become an Auto Mechanic in Rhode Island

  1. Meet program entry rules. Programs typically require a high school diploma or GED.
  2. Complete a specialty program. Finish an automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program. Some union shops use apprenticeships; the default national path is a certificate plus ASE, not DAS as the only option.
  3. Earn ASE or OEM credentials. Pass ASE tests or OEM training the employer requires. Some states add a separate smog or emissions credential; it is not the whole mechanic license.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.

Auto Mechanic License Requirements in Rhode Island

Most states do not license auto, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision techs as a statewide journeyman card. Employers expect ASE or OEM credentials. Some states add a smog or emissions credential.

Typical path

  1. Complete a specialty program.

  2. Earn ASE or OEM credentials.

  3. Add a state smog or emissions credential only if that state and the job require one.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the employer before you enroll.

Auto Mechanic Apprenticeship Information in Rhode Island

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Rhode Island’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Rhode Island Office of Apprenticeship 3.

Contact Information:

  • Office: Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training
  • Address: 1511 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920-0943
  • Phone: (401) 462-8536
  • Email: [email protected]

Auto Mechanic Wages by Metro Area in Rhode Island

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Wages by Metro Area in Rhode Island

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), automotive service technicians and mechanics wages in Rhode Island vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Providence-Warwick3,700$51,970$54,870$31,860$79,710

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for auto mechanics in Rhode Island? Rhode Island currently employs approximately 2,530 auto mechanics 1. Nationally, auto mechanic employment is projected to grow 4.2% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Rhode Island? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Rhode Island. You can also contact the Rhode Island Office of Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do auto mechanics earn in Rhode Island compared to the national average? The median annual wage for auto mechanics in Rhode Island is $51,770, which is $2,100 above the national median of $49,670 according to BLS data 1.

In Rhode Island

Top local programs

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Rhode Island Office of Apprenticeship: http://www.dlt.ri.gov/apprenticeship/ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)