Auto Mechanic Apprenticeships in California
California has 12 registered apprenticeship sponsors training auto mechanics — 3 of them union or joint labor-management programs. Apprentices earn a wage from day one and finish without tuition debt.
Registered sponsors
12
Union / joint programs
3
Median auto mechanic wage
$63,370
California, all experience levels
Job growth 2022–2032
+3.3%
5,700 openings/yr
Largest Registered Sponsors
Union and joint labor-management programs are listed first — they typically pay the best apprentice rates and charge no tuition.
| Sponsor | City | Program type |
|---|---|---|
| City of San Diego Civil Service Commission JAC Union / joint | San Diego | Single Employer |
| Operating Engineers JATC for 46 Northern Counties in CA Union / joint | SLOUGHHOUSE | Multiple Employer |
| VTA Operations Career Ladders Program Union / joint | San Jose | Single Employer |
| ADVANCED MANUFACTURING AND TRANSPORTATION APPRENTICESHIPS OF CALIFORNIA (AMTAC) | Oakland | Multiple Employer |
| Fiat Chrysler Automobiles LLC | Ontario | Single Employer |
| KIA AMERICA, INC. | Irvine | Single Employer |
| LAUNCH Apprenticeship Network Program | Fontana | Multiple Employer |
| South Bay Workforce Investment Board, Inc | Hawthorne | Multiple Employer |
| South Bay Workforce Investment Board, Inc. | Hawthorne | Multiple Employer |
| Tesla Motors, Inc. | Fremont | Multiple Employer |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship sponsors (apprenticeship.gov). California runs its own state apprenticeship registration system, so these federal figures understate the true number of local programs.
What Auto Mechanics Earn in California
Wages
- Median annual wage: $63,370
- Average annual wage: $64,770
- Auto Mechanics employed statewide: 62,110
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. Apprentices typically start at 40–50% of the journeyman rate and get scheduled raises.
10-year outlook
- Projected growth 2022–2032: +3.3%
- Average openings per year: 5,700
- Employment: 64,200 → 66,300
Source: Projections Central / state workforce agencies.