How to Become An Auto Mechanic in California
California employs approximately 65,420 auto mechanics according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $64,980 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 California, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An Auto Mechanic in California
How do I become an auto mechanic in California? California requires credentials such as Smog Check Technician. The licensing authority is the Department of Consumer Affairs - Licensing Program 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in California? Yes. California has licensing or registration requirements for auto mechanics. The Department of Consumer Affairs - Licensing Program oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do auto mechanics earn in California? The median annual wage for auto mechanics in California is $64,980 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,180 and experienced professionals can earn $95,280 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of Consumer Affairs - Licensing Program
- Median wage (California): $64,980 per year 1
Auto Mechanic License Requirements in California
The Department of Consumer Affairs - Licensing Program oversees auto mechanic licensing in California 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Smog Check Technician | Technicians inspecting, testing and repairing vehicle emissions control systems in accordance with the Smog Check Program. Fees: Application: $20; Renewal: $20. Exam fee: $40. |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Auto Mechanic Apprenticeship Information in California
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. California’s apprenticeship program is administered by the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeship 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: California Division of Apprenticeship Standards - Fresno Region
- Phone: (559) 445-5431
- Email: [email protected]
Auto Mechanic Wages by Metro Area in California
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Wages by Metro Area in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), automotive service technicians and mechanics 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 | 22,330 | $62,820 | $63,670 | $36,520 | $90,890 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 7,680 | $64,210 | $63,080 | $36,380 | $93,860 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 7,270 | $76,030 | $75,730 | $45,210 | $108,070 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 4,910 | $64,320 | $64,120 | $38,830 | $86,660 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 4,870 | $72,020 | $68,380 | $41,040 | $96,030 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 3,040 | $77,840 | $75,410 | $47,090 | $101,760 |
| Fresno | 1,890 | $52,000 | $57,990 | $37,790 | $77,400 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | 1,450 | $65,160 | $63,260 | $38,020 | $97,200 |
| Stockton-Lodi | 1,310 | $62,840 | $60,240 | $35,930 | $81,510 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | 1,250 | $62,450 | $62,680 | $38,760 | $92,810 |
| Modesto | 1,030 | $62,770 | $62,820 | $38,370 | $95,680 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | 1,000 | $75,080 | $70,890 | $45,540 | $98,940 |
| Vallejo | 760 | $69,710 | $68,130 | $44,490 | $98,530 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | 700 | $61,110 | $61,910 | $36,760 | $90,190 |
| Visalia | 700 | $46,280 | $55,490 | $35,880 | $75,610 |
| Salinas | 620 | $62,770 | $64,620 | $39,740 | $96,740 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | 520 | $61,620 | $61,310 | $37,600 | $78,010 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | 450 | $58,860 | $59,940 | $36,580 | $84,760 |
| Redding | 380 | $50,260 | $57,600 | $38,260 | $78,490 |
| Merced | 330 | $59,390 | $58,310 | $36,670 | $77,530 |
| Chico | 320 | $63,070 | $63,470 | $37,550 | $93,070 |
| El Centro | 320 | $54,330 | $57,670 | $38,800 | $77,370 |
| Yuba City | 280 | $58,580 | $58,690 | $36,690 | $82,090 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | 170 | $64,090 | $60,880 | $39,010 | $77,080 |
| Napa | 160 | $76,450 | $71,100 | $43,520 | $92,850 |
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 2025.
Top Metros for Auto mechanics in California
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest auto mechanic employment within California according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 22,330 | $62,820 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 7,680 | $64,210 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 7,270 | $76,030 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 4,910 | $64,320 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 4,870 | $72,020 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for auto mechanics in California? California currently employs approximately 65,420 auto mechanics 1. Nationally, auto mechanic employment is projected to grow 4.2% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an auto mechanic in California with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Consumer Affairs - Licensing Program for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in California? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in California. You can also contact the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do auto mechanics earn in California compared to the national average? The median annual wage for auto mechanics in California is $64,980, which is $15,310 above the national median of $49,670 according to BLS data 1.
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Consumer Affairs - Licensing Program - Licensing Information: https://www.bar.ca.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
California Division of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.dir.ca.gov/databases/das/aigstart.asp ↩︎
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) |