Skip the Cubicle: Secure a Well-paying Auto Career through Franklin Cummings Tech
Skip the Cubicle:
Secure a Well-paying Auto Career through Franklin Cummings Tech
Posted on 9/22/2026
For students who love solving puzzles with their hands, a traditional desk job isn't the only path to financial success. The automotive industry is facing a massive technician shortage. These hands-on careers are well-paying, local, and some of the least vulnerable to automation (AI). At Franklin Cummings Tech (FCTech) in Boston, students step directly into these roles before they even graduate.
The FCTech Advantage: Paid Apprenticeships Leading to Well-Paying Jobs
Franklin Cummings Tech is the oldest continuously operating automotive school in the country (est. 1908) and the only one within 15 miles of Boston. In the past year, the associate degree program has introduced an innovative apprenticeship model that allows students to earn while they learn on-the-job at local dealerships and repair shops.
Students can begin their paid apprenticeship after completing two semesters at the college.
Students can work at their apprenticeship four days a week after demonstrating mastery of a set of entry-level technical skills.
Students earn at least $20/hour to start, with built-in raises as they progress through their apprenticeship.
The new model is producing exceptional outcomes for graduates:
Immediate Employment:. 100% of FCTech’s auto students who wanted a job secured one before graduation this spring. Employer demand for program graduates is so intense that the college has a waitlist of eager employers who are willing to pay the college up to $5,000 per student for the opportunity to recruit them early.
Strong Starting Pay: More than half are hired full-time by their co-op employers, pulling in a median starting salary of $53,040
Top-Tier Graduation Rates: FCTech’s auto co-op cohort achieved a 78% three-year graduation rate, several times the Massachusetts community college average of 21%.
Admissions: How to Lock In a Seat
FCTech reviews applications for the automotive program on a rolling basis, meaning seats fill up fast and students should apply early.
High School Prerequisites: 4 years of English, 3+ years of mathematics, and 1+ course in science.
Physical & Logistical Requirements: Applicants need correctable vision/hearing, the ability to stand for long periods, the ability to lift 30 pounds, and a valid driver’s license (required to move into the second year).
The High School Tech Bonus: Students coming from an ASE-certified high school auto program can skip three entire college courses (Safety, Engines, and Brakes) for an even faster, cheaper start.