How to Become an Appliance Repair Technician in California (2026)
California employs about 2,760 appliance repair technicians earning a median $58,480 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most appliance repair technicians train through an approved program before entering the field in California.
California employs approximately 2,760 appliance repair technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,480 1. Nationally, appliance repair technician employment is projected to grow 2.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 3,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become an Appliance Repair Technician in California, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school or community college
- Typical timeline: varies by program; confirm with the school
- Median wage (California): $58,480 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become an Appliance Repair Technician in California
How to become an Appliance Repair Technician in California? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for appliance repair technicians in California.
How long does it take? appliance repair technician training length in California varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.
What do appliance repair technicians earn in California? The median annual wage for appliance repair technicians in California is $58,480 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,890 and experienced professionals can earn $83,200 or more 1.
How to Become an Appliance Repair Technician in California
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most California training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved appliance repair technician program in California that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to appliance repair technicians in California before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Appliance Repair Technician Wages by Metro Area in California
Home Appliance Repairers Wages by Metro Area in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), home appliance repairers wages in California vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 9,460 | $70,980 | $73,052 | $45,676 | $104,243 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 3,060 | $71,570 | $72,025 | $48,214 | $97,637 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 2,800 | $88,226 | $89,756 | $57,015 | $128,432 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 2,590 | $64,437 | $69,095 | $49,891 | $96,994 |
| Fresno | 1,300 | $66,381 | $67,537 | $45,375 | $92,892 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 1,250 | $74,772 | $75,737 | $48,316 | $111,116 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 1,030 | $82,160 | $85,372 | $58,910 | $116,316 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | 980 | $72,706 | $75,036 | $46,361 | $108,346 |
| Modesto | 810 | $78,370 | $77,360 | $53,490 | $96,130 |
| Stockton-Lodi | 740 | $76,140 | $75,080 | $48,270 | $100,690 |
| Visalia | 580 | $62,460 | $64,990 | $45,020 | $86,300 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | 520 | $67,765 | $70,194 | $43,653 | $96,693 |
| Vallejo | 520 | $78,200 | $83,630 | $50,830 | $126,620 |
| Salinas | 350 | $71,490 | $72,100 | $46,810 | $105,260 |
| Merced | 310 | $71,990 | $71,670 | $46,860 | $94,590 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | 290 | $75,705 | $78,240 | $50,689 | $126,519 |
| Chico | 200 | $59,990 | $63,170 | $40,990 | $99,370 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | 200 | $67,890 | $71,160 | $49,210 | $96,140 |
| El Centro | 180 | $75,890 | $71,590 | $42,670 | $97,500 |
| Napa | 180 | $81,320 | $81,940 | $51,160 | $109,480 |
| Yuba City | 170 | $69,070 | $74,830 | $50,740 | $100,820 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | 140 | $73,400 | $69,720 | $43,890 | $88,240 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | 130 | $73,200 | $73,930 | $46,190 | $106,090 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | 100 | $70,790 | $73,120 | $48,610 | $96,410 |
| Redding | 90 | $72,600 | $83,890 | $47,490 | $137,200 |
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 appliance repair technicians in California? California currently employs approximately 2,760 appliance repair technicians 1. Nationally, appliance repair technician employment is projected to grow 2.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in California? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in California.
How much do appliance repair technicians earn in California compared to the national average? The median annual wage for appliance repair technicians in California is $58,480, which is $9,070 above the national median of $49,410 according to BLS data 1.
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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
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / 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) |