Auto Technician programs in South Dakota
8 auto technician programs at 5 South Dakota schools are in the federal data. Where earnings are reported (3 programs), the state median is $51,758 one year after completion, 14% above the national median of $45,424. Median borrower debt is $12,000.
| School | City | Program | Credential | Completers/yr | 1-yr earnings | Median debt | Monthly payment* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Area Technical College | Watertown, SD | Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technology | Associate degree | 133 | $55,690 | $12,000 | $136 |
| Southeast Technical College | Sioux Falls, SD | Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technology | Associate degree | 50 | $51,758 | $12,000 | $136 |
| Western Dakota Technical College | Rapid City, SD | Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technology | Associate degree | 27 | $48,464 | $12,000 | $136 |
| Lake Area Technical College | Watertown, SD | Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technology | Certificate | 25 | not reported | $5,500 | $63 |
| Mitchell Technical College | Mitchell, SD | Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technology | Certificate | 3 | not reported | – | – |
| Mitchell Technical College | Mitchell, SD | Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technology | Associate degree | 15 | not reported | – | – |
| Oglala Lakota College | Kyle, SD | Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technology | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | – | – |
| Southeast Technical College | Sioux Falls, SD | Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technology | Certificate | 0 | not reported | – | – |
*Scorecard's estimated monthly payment on the median debt over 10 years. “Not reported” means the Department suppressed or did not publish the figure.
Compare schools near you
Use the data on this page to shortlist two or three schools, then contact them directly with the links provided. Ask each school the questions listed on the page.
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Before you choose a auto technician school in South Dakota
ASE certifications are the common industry credential and generally require work experience as well as a test. Manufacturer-sponsored programs may add brand-specific training.
- Is the program manufacturer-sponsored or ASE-accredited?
- Do I need to bring my own tools, and what do they cost?
- What share of graduates are placed at dealerships or independent shops?
More programs in South Dakota
All South Dakota programs · Auto Mechanic & Technician nationwide
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study and Institution files (release dated 10/15/2026). Earnings are median annual earnings of completers working and not enrolled one year after finishing; debt is median federal loan debt of borrowers; both describe past cohorts and small programs are suppressed by the Department. See our methodology.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best-paying auto technician program in South Dakota?
By reported one-year earnings, Lake Area Technical College leads at $55,690 in the associate degree program, but compare cost and local jobs too.
How many auto technician programs are in South Dakota?
The Scorecard lists 8 certificate or associate programs in this field at 5 schools in South Dakota.