Becoming an Automotive Technician or Mechanic in California
A career in automotive mechanics may be right for you if you are looking for a job that is hands-on and involves working with automobiles and customers. A job in this field is not just limited to working as an auto mechanic. You may also find work as a diesel mechanic, body or collision repairer or glass installer.
Requirements for becoming an Automotive Service Technician in California
If you’re an individual or business in California that deals with car repairs, alterations, or diagnoses, you must register as an Automotive Repair Dealer (ARD) with the Bureau of Automotive Repair. This license costs $200 and needs to be renewed yearly.
Additionally, many employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed a formal training program or apprenticeship in the automotive field. In California, there are accredited community colleges and vocational schools that offer automotive technology programs. These courses usually include classroom instruction as well as supervised hands-on experience in the shop.
Aspiring auto techs can expect some of the following topics to be covered in various auto mechanic training programs:
- Auto repair
- Collision repair
- Transmission repair
- Automotive engine repair
- Electrical/electronic systems
- Tune-ups
- Ignition system repairs
- Brake systems
- Safety inspections
ASE Certification for Automotive Technicians in California
Employers may prefer to hire technicians who have completed an ASE certification program. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is a non-profit organization that certifies automotive professionals in the US and Canada. The ASE certification exam covers topics such as brakes, engines, electrical systems, and more.
Once you pass the test, you must renew your certification every five years by taking at least one additional ASE exam and earning continuing education credits. The ASE offers many different certifications for automotive technicians in California, including Master Technician and Advanced Level Specialist designations.
Auto mechanic training in California
California employs more automotive service technicians than any other state, with 65,420 working in the field according to BLS May 2025 OEWS data. The median wage for those technicians is $64,980 a year. That number rises significantly if you move into diesel or collision work, and it rises further as you gain experience and certifications. This page lists every ASE-accredited program in the state so you can compare your options in one place.
ASE accreditation means the ASE Education Foundation, an independent body, has reviewed the program’s curriculum, equipment, and instructors against national standards. An ASE-accredited program is not automatically better than every non-accredited one, but accreditation gives you a verified baseline. Employers who hire from these programs know what you learned.
Manufacturer-sponsored programs: the highest-return path
Nine of California’s ASE-accredited programs are manufacturer-sponsored, meaning a specific automaker, Ford, GM, Honda, or Toyota, partners directly with the college. These programs combine your college coursework with paid work placements at franchise dealerships and manufacturer-specific certification. When you finish, you hold both a college credential and an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) certification that is recognised across every dealership in that brand’s network. That combination puts you ahead of a standard certificate graduate at the point of hire.
All 9 manufacturer-sponsored programs in California:
| School | City | Program | Series | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butte College | Chico | Honda PACT | Automobile | 2030-11-01 |
| Cerritos College | Norwalk | Ford ASSET | Automobile | 2028-03-01 |
| Cerritos College | Norwalk | GM ASEP | Automobile | 2028-03-01 |
| Citrus Community College | Glendora | Toyota T-TEN | Automobile | 2030-10-01 |
| Cosumnes River College | Sacramento | Ford ASSET | Automobile | 2024-10-01 |
| Cypress College | Cypress | Toyota T-TEN | Automobile | 2030-05-01 |
| Fresno City College | Fresno | GM ASEP | Automobile | 2029-07-01 |
| Rio Hondo College | Whittier | Honda PACT | Automobile | 2028-01-01 |
| Ventura College | Ventura | Toyota T-TEN | Automobile | 2028-07-01 |
Note on the Cosumnes River College Ford ASSET program: its listed accreditation expiry is October 2024. Contact the school directly to confirm whether the program has been renewed before applying.
All 58 post-secondary ASE-accredited programs in California
The table below lists all 58 post-secondary programs drawn from the ASE Education Foundation directory. This is the full set, not a sample. Programs marked with a manufacturer name in the Program column are also shown in the manufacturer section above. Community colleges generally charge less per credit hour than private technical institutes, though exact figures vary by school and residency status.
| School | City | Series | Program | Level | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American River College | Sacramento | Automobile | AYES | Post Secondary | 2028-10-01 |
| Bakersfield College | Bakersfield | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2029-07-01 | |
| Butte College | Chico | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2030-11-01 | |
| Butte College | Chico | Automobile | Honda PACT | Post Secondary | 2030-11-01 |
| Cerritos College | Norwalk | Automobile | Ford ASSET | Post Secondary | 2028-03-01 |
| Cerritos College | Norwalk | Automobile | GM ASEP | Post Secondary | 2028-03-01 |
| Cerritos College | Norwalk | Automobile | AYES | Post Secondary | 2028-03-01 |
| Chabot College | Hayward | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2027-05-01 | |
| Citrus Community College | Glendora | Automobile | Toyota T-TEN | Post Secondary | 2030-10-01 |
| Citrus Community College | Glendora | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2030-10-01 | |
| College of Alameda | Alameda | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2030-05-01 | |
| College of the Canyons | Canyon Country | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2026-09-01 | |
| College of the Desert | Palm Desert | Automobile | AYES | Post Secondary | 2031-05-01 |
| College of the Redwoods | Eureka | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2029-11-01 | |
| Contra Costa College | San Pablo | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2028-06-01 | |
| Cosumnes River College | Sacramento | Automobile | Ford ASSET | Post Secondary | 2024-10-01 |
| Cosumnes River College | Sacramento | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2024-11-01 | |
| Cuesta College | San Luis Obispo | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2031-06-01 | |
| Cuyamaca College | El Cajon | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2025-10-01 | |
| Cypress College | Cypress | Automobile | Toyota T-TEN | Post Secondary | 2030-05-01 |
| Cypress College | Cypress | Collision Repair and Refinishing | Post Secondary | 2029-11-01 | |
| De Anza College | Cupertino | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2028-06-01 | |
| Evergreen Valley College | San Jose | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2028-12-01 | |
| Fresno City College | Fresno | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2029-07-01 | |
| Fresno City College | Fresno | Automobile | GM ASEP | Post Secondary | 2029-07-01 |
| Fresno City College | Fresno | Automobile | Secondary and Post Secondary | 2029-07-01 | |
| Fresno City College | Fresno | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | Post Secondary | 2029-07-01 | |
| Golden West College | Huntington Beach | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2029-04-01 | |
| Hacienda La Puente Adult Education | La Puente | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2028-10-01 | |
| Las Positas College | Livermore | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2030-12-01 | |
| Lassen Community College | Susanville | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2030-08-01 | |
| Los Angeles Pierce College | Woodland Hills | Automobile | AYES | Secondary and Post Secondary | 2029-02-01 |
| Los Angeles Trade-Technical College | Los Angeles | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2028-06-01 | |
| Los Medanos College | Pittsburg | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2025-04-01 | |
| Merced Community College | Merced | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2027-02-01 | |
| MiraCosta College | Oceanside | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2026-05-01 | |
| Monterey Peninsula College | Monterey | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2027-06-01 | |
| Mt. San Jacinto Community College | San Jacinto | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2030-05-01 | |
| Pasadena City College | Pasadena | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2030-09-01 | |
| Rio Hondo College | Whittier | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2028-01-01 | |
| Rio Hondo College | Whittier | Automobile | Honda PACT | Post Secondary | 2028-01-01 |
| Saddleback College | Mission Viejo | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2029-11-01 | |
| San Diego Miramar College | San Diego | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2028-06-01 | |
| San Diego Miramar College | San Diego | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | Post Secondary | 2028-10-01 | |
| San Joaquin Delta College | Stockton | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2028-10-01 | |
| Santa Barbara City College | Santa Barbara | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2030-06-01 | |
| Santa Rosa Junior College | Santa Rosa | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2028-09-01 | |
| Solano Community College | Fairfield | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2030-11-01 | |
| Southwestern Community College | Chula Vista | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2028-03-01 | |
| Universal Technical Institute | Rancho Cucamonga | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2030-06-01 | |
| Universal Technical Institute | Long Beach | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2027-07-01 | |
| Universal Technical Institute | Sacramento | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2029-05-01 | |
| Universal Technical Institute | Long Beach | Collision Repair and Refinishing | Post Secondary | 2027-07-01 | |
| Universal Technical Institute | Rancho Cucamonga | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | Post Secondary | 2028-04-01 | |
| Universal Technical Institute | Long Beach | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | Post Secondary | 2027-07-01 | |
| Universal Technical Institute | Sacramento | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | Post Secondary | 2029-05-01 | |
| Ventura College | Ventura | Automobile | Toyota T-TEN | Post Secondary | 2028-07-01 |
| Victor Valley Community College | Victorville | Automobile | Post Secondary | 2029-06-01 |
Programs with accreditation expiry dates in 2024 or 2025 should be checked directly with the school. Accreditation can be renewed, and a lapsed date on this list does not necessarily mean the program has closed.
High school programs in California
This section is for you if you are currently enrolled in high school. These programs are not open to adult career-changers. They are a separate track that runs through secondary school and, for AYES programs, connects directly to a dealership apprenticeship after graduation.
What AYES is and why it matters
AYES stands for Automotive Youth Educational Systems. It is a structured pipeline, not a general shop class. You take a curriculum that aligns with ASE standards, and the program connects you with a participating dealership where you work alongside certified technicians. When you graduate, you are not starting from zero. You have documented, dealer-based experience and an industry contact already in place. That is a real head start.
Ten of California’s 18 ASE-accredited secondary programs run the AYES track. The other eight are accredited automotive programs without the dealer-placement structure. Both types count as ASE-accredited training and can lead directly into a post-secondary program or an entry-level shop role.
All 18 secondary (high school) ASE-accredited programs in California:
| School | City | Series | Program | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amistad High School | Indio | Automobile | AYES | 2028-02-01 |
| Casa Roble Fundamental High School | Orangevale | Automobile | AYES | 2030-01-01 |
| Clovis West High School | Fresno | Automobile | 2025-06-01 | |
| Duncan Polytechnical High School | Fresno | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | 2030-06-01 | |
| Eden Area ROP | Hayward | Automobile | 2028-12-01 | |
| Fortuna Union High School | Fortuna | Automobile | AYES | 2024-08-01 |
| Hemet High School | Hemet | Automobile | AYES | 2027-09-01 |
| Mark Keppel High School | Alhambra | Automobile | AYES | 2028-02-01 |
| Monte Vista High School | Spring Valley | Automobile | AYES | 2025-01-01 |
| Oakdale High School | Oakdale | Automobile | 2025-05-01 | |
| Ontario High School | Ontario | Automobile | AYES | 2029-09-01 |
| Poway High School | Poway | Automobile | 2026-09-01 | |
| Ramona High School | Ramona | Automobile | AYES | 2024-06-01 |
| Reedley High School | Reedley | Automobile | 2028-12-01 | |
| San Gorgonio High School | San Bernardino | Automobile | 2025-03-01 | |
| San Juan High School | Citrus Heights | Automobile | AYES | 2029-12-01 |
| Silicon Valley Career Technical Education Center | San Jose | Automobile | AYES | 2028-01-01 |
| Van Nuys High School | Van Nuys | Automobile | 2030-07-01 |
Programs at Fortuna Union High School, Monte Vista High School, Ramona High School, and Clovis West High School all show accreditation expiry dates in 2024 or 2025. Contact each school to confirm current status before making any plans based on that program.
What you can earn in California
Wages vary by role and by where you are in your career. The figures below come from BLS May 2025 OEWS data and cover four related occupations in California.
Automotive service technicians and mechanics
This is the core occupation for most people coming out of an auto tech program. California has 65,420 people working in this role. The median wage is $64,980 a year. The bottom ten percent earn $38,180. The top ten percent earn $95,280. The 25th percentile is $46,580, and the 75th percentile is $77,060.
In plain terms: if you are early in your career, you are likely in the $38,000 to $47,000 range. With five to ten years of experience and ASE certifications, you are more likely in the $65,000 to $77,000 range. Senior technicians at dealerships or specialty shops can push past $95,000.
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
This track requires different training, and the pay reflects that. California has 20,940 people in this role. The median wage is $73,950, which is about $9,000 a year more than the general auto tech median. The 10th percentile is $47,180. The 90th percentile is $96,730. The mean wage is $72,690.
If you are considering the diesel or commercial vehicle route, Fresno City College, San Diego Miramar College, Universal Technical Institute’s Rancho Cucamonga, Long Beach, and Sacramento campuses all hold ASE accreditation in the Medium/Heavy Duty Truck series. Duncan Polytechnical High School in Fresno covers this track at the secondary level.
Automotive body and related repairers
Collision repair is a separate specialty with its own wage profile. California has 14,050 people in this role. The median is $66,860. The mean is $69,280. The 10th percentile is $41,910, and the 90th percentile is $97,480. The spread is wide, which reflects the difference between entry-level technicians at independent shops and experienced painters and estimators at high-volume dealership body shops.
ASE-accredited collision repair programs in California include Cypress College and all three Universal Technical Institute campuses with Collision Repair and Refinishing accreditation (Long Beach).
Automotive glass installers and repairers
This is a narrower specialty. California employs 2,200 people in this role. The median wage is $47,710. The mean is $50,900. The 10th percentile is $35,600 and the 90th percentile is $71,390. The earnings ceiling is lower than the other three occupations, but the work is in demand and the training path is shorter.
How pay progresses across your career
The BLS data shows a consistent pattern across all four roles: the gap between the 10th and 90th percentile is large. For auto service techs, that gap is more than $57,000 a year. What drives movement up that range? Certifications, specialization, and time. ASE Master Technician status and OEM certifications from programs like GM ASEP or Toyota T-TEN push you toward the higher percentiles faster than a generic certificate alone. Diesel and heavy truck specializations start higher and top out higher than general auto tech. Collision repair has the widest spread, which means the upside is real if you build the right skills.
Starting pay matters less than trajectory. A technician who finishes a manufacturer-sponsored program, earns ASE certifications, and stays current on EV and hybrid systems will earn more at year ten than one who skips those steps, even if they both started at the same shop.
Auto Mechanic Salaries in California by Region
The table below shows regional employment and wage data for automotive service technicians across California metro areas. These figures are sourced from BLS OEWS data and reflect earlier survey periods; consult the current BLS data for the most recent figures by region.
| Region | Total Employed | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, CA | 1,230 | $23.98 | $49,880 |
| Chico, CA | 410 | $23.56 | $49,010 |
| El Centro, CA | 250 | $24.31 | $50,570 |
| Fresno, CA | 1,890 | $23.10 | $48,050 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 170 | $23.32 | $48,510 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 17,540 | $25.40 | $52,840 |
| Madera, CA | 170 | $23.89 | $49,690 |
| Merced, CA | 330 | $22.64 | $47,090 |
| Modesto, CA | 930 | $23.74 | $49,390 |
| Napa, CA | 210 | $27.75 | $57,710 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 1,310 | $26.07 | $54,220 |
| Redding, CA | 360 | $23.14 | $48,140 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 8,290 | $25.03 | $52,060 |
| Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA | 4,780 | $25.92 | $53,910 |
| Salinas, CA | 610 | $26.16 | $54,420 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | 4,970 | $26.08 | $54,240 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 7,870 | $29.49 | $61,350 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 2,860 | $30.20 | $62,810 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA | 540 | $25.67 | $53,400 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 380 | $26.35 | $54,800 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 560 | $27.71 | $57,630 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 1,060 | $27.43 | $57,060 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 1,110 | $24.59 | $51,140 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | 780 | $26.77 | $55,680 |
| Visalia-Porterville, CA | 550 | $23.63 | $49,150 |
| Yuba City, CA | 250 | $25.37 | $52,760 |
How to read the accreditation expiry dates
Every program in the tables above has an accreditation expiry date from the ASE Education Foundation directory. That date is the end of the current accreditation cycle, not the program’s closing date. Schools typically renew before expiry. A date that has already passed does not mean the program is gone. It means you should call the school and ask whether renewal is in progress. Do this before you apply, and do it for any program showing a 2024 or 2025 expiry date.
Choosing between program types
You have three broad types to choose from.
Community college programs are the most common. They are offered at 40-plus California campuses and cover the full range of auto tech topics. Community colleges generally charge less per credit hour than private technical institutes. Many offer certificates and associate degrees in the same department.
Private technical institutes, like Universal Technical Institute with campuses in Long Beach, Rancho Cucamonga, and Sacramento, tend to run on faster schedules and focus tightly on automotive and diesel training. They are an option if you want to finish quickly and focus only on trade skills.
Manufacturer-sponsored programs, the nine listed at the top of this page, are the most targeted option. You study at the college and work at a dealership at the same time. You graduate with a college credential and a brand-specific certification. The tradeoff is that you commit to that brand’s dealership network early. That is not a problem if you already know which brand you want to work on.
Use the tables above to find programs near you, check the accreditation expiry date, and then contact each school directly to confirm current enrollment, scheduling, and any prerequisites.
Working as an Auto Mechanic in California
There are many monetary and job security benefits to being an auto mechanic in California. With the proper training and certification, one can find excellent employment opportunities at car dealerships, repair shops or even open their own business. The job provides a steady income, often with benefits such as healthcare and retirement plans. With the wide array of auto mechanic schools in California, there are plenty of options to get the training you need to become an automotive technician.
Visit the program pages linked in the tables above to start comparing your options and request information from the schools that interest you most.
Sources:
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, Occupational Employment and Wages, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes493023.htm
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/automotive-service-technicians-and-mechanics.htm
Test Series, National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, http://www.ase.com/Tests/ASE-Certification-Tests/Test-Series.aspx