RetrainMap / Training costs by state / California / Automotive technician
Free · the federal list, by published cost · California
Automotive-technician programs in California on the federal training list, by published cost
80 programs in California’s Training Provider Results index carry one of the occupation codes for Automotive technician (49-3023). Published costs run from $0 to $69,180; 0 programs report no cost and sit at the end. Sorted by the cost each provider reported — “cheapest” here means the lowest published figure on the federal list on the snapshot date, not a verdict on quality, and never a price you are promised. Snapshot taken 2026-09-02.
| # | Published cost basis | Program (provider’s page) · credential · code | Provider · city | Length | Exited | Completed | Employed Q2 after exit | Median earnings, Q2 (one quarter) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0 | Automotive Technology | Merced County Office of Education | 20 wk · 12 hrs | 28 | 79% | 50% | $3,753 |
| 2 | $259 | Utility Technician / Helper Certificate of Accomplishment | City College of San Francisco | 18 wk · 9 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 3 | $602 | Automotive Technology Certificate of Career Preparation | Palo Verde College | 18 wk · 12 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 4 | $623 | Cert. of Achievement Automotive Hyrbrid Technician | Contra Costa College | 16 wk · 15 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 5 | $676 | Automotive Hybrid and EV Technology Certificate of Achievement | City College of San Francisco | 36 wk · 12 hrs | 20 | 75% | — | — |
| 6 | $740 | Automotive Technology Certificate of Career Preparation Engine Analysis and Electrical Systems | Palo Verde College | 18 wk · 12 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 7 | $740 | Automotive Technology Certificate of Career Preparation Brakes & Suspension | Palo Verde College | 18 wk · 12 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 8 | $830 | Cert. of Achievement Powertrains Level I Technician | Contra Costa College | 32 wk · 10 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 9 | $900 | Automotive Services Technician | Roseville Adult School | 34 wk · 6 hrs | 40 | 100% | 78% | $15,250 |
| 10 | $975 | Cert. of Achievement Automotive Collision Repair Damage Estimator | Contra Costa College | 32 wk · 8 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 11 | $980 | Automotive Technology | Los Angeles Technology Center - LAUSD | 12 wk · 15 hrs | 127 | 69% | 40% | $11,939 |
| 12 | $1,016 | Automotive Technology Certificate of Achievement | Palo Verde College | 18 wk · 12 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 13 | $1,235 | Cert. of Achievement Chassis Level I Technician | Contra Costa College | 32 wk · 10 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 14 | $1,274 | Automotive Technician Certificate of Achievement | City College of San Francisco | 36 wk · 24 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 15 | $1,335 | Automotive Technician | East Los Angeles Skills Center - LAUSD | 13 wk · 14 hrs | 212 | 67% | 66% | $11,900 |
| 16 | $1,403 | Automotive Technology Alternative Fueled Vehicle | Fresno City College | 45 wk · 20 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 17 | $1,450 | BC AUTO-Automotive Management | Kern Community College District | 16 wk · 19 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 18 | $1,502 | Automotive Technology Hybrid Electric Vehicle | Fresno City College | 45 wk · 20 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 19 | $1,568 | Automotive Technology Associates Degree | Palo Verde College | 18 wk · 12 hrs | 3 | — | — | — |
| 20 | $1,600 | Vehicle Maintenance Technician | Colton Redlands Yucaipa ROP | 20 wk · 12 hrs | 47 | 72% | 56% | — |
| 21 | $1,638 | Automotive Technician Certificate of Achievement | Mendocino College | 34 wk · 12 hrs | 124 | 97% | — | — |
| 22 | $1,700 | Auto Mechanic Fundamentals | Abram Friedman Occupational Center-LAUSD | 18 wk · 20 hrs | 186 | 51% | 63% | $15,402 |
| 23 | $1,780 | Transmission Technician Trainee | Richard N. Slawson Occupational Center - LAUSD | 12 wk · 30 hrs | 82 | 79% | 46% | $11,900 |
| 24 | $1,800 | Automotive Technology | KERN HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT-ROP | 35 wk · 9 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 25 | $1,943 | Auto Mechanic | Richard N. Slawson Occupational Center - LAUSD | 16 wk · 23 hrs | 142 | 85% | 54% | $15,402 |
| 26 | $1,950 | BC AUTO-Suspension & Steering | Kern Community College District | 32 wk · 11 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 27 | $2,000 | BC AUTO-Electrical & Electronic Systems | Kern Community College District | 32 wk · 19 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 28 | $2,000 | BC AUTO-Brakes Systems | Kern Community College District | 32 wk · 10 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 29 | $2,000 | BC AUTO-Manual Drive Train & Axles | Kern Community College District | 32 wk · 11 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 30 | $2,000 | BC AUTO-Automatic Transmissions | Kern Community College District | 32 wk · 15 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 31 | $2,110 | Auto Tech: General Technician Tune Up Emission Control Specialist (Certificate of Achievement) | Allan Hancock College | 72 wk · 16 hrs | 22 | 68% | 86% | $13,974 |
| 32 | $2,110 | Auto Tech: General Technician Engine, Power Trains Specialist (Certificate of Achievement) | Allan Hancock College | 72 wk · 16 hrs | 23 | 52% | 73% | $12,654 |
| 33 | $2,200 | BC AUTO-Automotive Heating & Air Conditioning | Kern Community College District | 32 wk · 18 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 34 | $2,276 | Cert. of Achievement Automotive Service Technician | Contra Costa College | 32 wk · 25 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 35 | $2,315 | Automotive Brakes Specialist | East Los Angeles Skills Center - LAUSD | 20 wk · 18 hrs | 186 | 37% | 68% | $11,900 |
| 36 | $2,315 | Automotive Engine Repair Specialist | East Los Angeles Skills Center - LAUSD | 20 wk · 18 hrs | 123 | 72% | 78% | $11,900 |
| 37 | $2,395 | BC AUTO-Engine Overhaul & Repair | Kern Community College District | 32 wk · 19 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 38 | $2,395 | BC AUTO-Engine Performance | Kern Community College District | 32 wk · 14 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 39 | $2,426 | Automotive Smog Inspector | Abram Friedman Occupational Center-LAUSD | 18 wk · 20 hrs | 16 | 88% | 89% | $9,750 |
| 40 | $2,445 | Automotive-Diesel MLR(Maintenance and Light Repair Technician) | Fresno City College | 18 wk · 32 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 41 | $2,500 | Auto Tech | Kern High School District-BAS | 15 wk · 8 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 42 | $2,579 | Automotive Technician Emissions Control | Abram Friedman Occupational Center-LAUSD | 9 wk · 30 hrs | 166 | 70% | 66% | $15,400 |
| 43 | $2,709 | Front End Automotive Mechanic | North Valley Occupational Center - LAUSD | 18 wk · 20 hrs | 420 | 55% | 63% | $11,900 |
| 44 | $2,752 | Automotive Technology Certificate | Shasta College | 51 wk · 15 hrs | 93 | 38% | — | — |
| 45 | $2,957 | AS Degree Automotive Services: Auto Collison Repair Technology | Contra Costa College | 64 wk · 17 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 46 | $2,973 | Automotive Technology, Master Repair Technician | College of Marin | 17 wk · 12 hrs | 129 | 90% | — | — |
| 47 | $3,035 | AS Degree Automotive Services: Automotive Service Technician | Contra Costa College | 64 wk · 17 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 48 | $3,232 | Automotive Technician Certificate of Achievement | YUBA COLLEGE | 32 wk · 40 hrs | 13 | 54% | 100% | — |
| 49 | $3,282 | Automotive Service Technician (ASE Program) | Hacienda La Puente Adult Education | 36 wk · 30 hrs | 107 | 90% | 34% | $15,402 |
| 50 | $3,455 | Automotive Technician Trainee | Maxine Waters Employment Prep Center - LAUSD | 18 wk · 30 hrs | 77 | 69% | 27% | $11,900 |
| 51 | $3,472 | Automotive Technician Trainee | Los Angeles Technology Center - LAUSD | 18 wk · 30 hrs | 160 | 50% | 72% | $11,900 |
| 52 | $3,500 | Automotive Technician Electrical and Electronics | Harbor Occupational Center - LAUSD | 27 wk · 20 hrs | 173 | 42% | 32% | $12,515 |
| 53 | $3,552 | Auto Tech: Automotive Chassis (Associates in Science) | Allan Hancock College | 72 wk · 21 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 54 | $3,602 | Automotive Technician Brakes and Suspension | Harbor Occupational Center - LAUSD | 27 wk · 20 hrs | 128 | 63% | 54% | $11,900 |
| 55 | $3,690 | Auto Tech: Auto Tune Up and Diagnostic Procedures (Associate in Science) | Allan Hancock College | 72 wk · 21 hrs | 23 | 22% | 57% | $8,674 |
| 56 | $3,821 | Heavy/Medium Duty Diesel Truck Technology | San Bernardino Valley College | 96 wk · 40 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 57 | $3,822 | Automotive Technician Trainee | Harbor Occupational Center - LAUSD | 36 wk · 20 hrs | 181 | 51% | 43% | $15,400 |
| 58 | $3,966 | Auto Tech: Auto Engine Rebuilding (Associates in Science) | Allan Hancock College | 90 wk · 21 hrs | 28 | 11% | 60% | $12,354 |
| 59 | $4,120 | Automotive Technician Trainee | Abram Friedman Occupational Center-LAUSD | 22 wk · 25 hrs | 170 | 58% | 58% | $15,400 |
| 60 | $4,232 | Automotive Technician Trainee | North Valley Occupational Center - LAUSD | 27 wk · 20 hrs | 182 | 54% | 57% | $11,900 |
| 61 | $4,460 | Automotive Technology Associate of Science Degree | Mendocino College | 52 wk · 16 hrs | 42 | 10% | — | — |
| 62 | $4,465 | Automotive Technician | San Bernardino Valley College | 128 wk · 40 hrs | — | — | — | — |
| 63 | $4,510 | Heavy Equipment Technician Training | Reedley Community College | 48 wk · 34 hrs | 39 | 100% | 78% | $7,210 |
| 64 | $4,510 | Medium/Heavy Truck Service and Repair | Reedley Community College | 48 wk · 34 hrs | 33 | 97% | 100% | $7,210 |
| 65 | $4,522 | Automotive Technology | Reedley Community College | 36 wk · 30 hrs | 125 | 85% | 100% | $7,363 |
| 66 | $4,802 | General Automotive Technician Certificate of Achievement | Saddleback College | 104 wk · 20 hrs | 1,023 | 48% | 63% | $6,287 |
| 67 | $5,500 | Automotive Electrical & Fuel Injection System (400 hrs) | RTC COLLEGE | 10 wk · 16 hrs | 27 | 59% | 78% | $6,500 |
| 68 | $5,508 | Automotive Technology (Certificate Of Achievement) | Butte College | 85 wk · 20 hrs | 107 | 48% | 85% | $7,710 |
| 69 | $6,210 | Automotive Services | Baldwin Park Adult and Community Education | 39 wk · 24 hrs | 32 | 75% | 65% | $1,624 |
| 70 | $6,395 | Automotive Technician Comprehensive | Maxine Waters Employment Prep Center - LAUSD | 52 wk · 28 hrs | 192 | 49% | 15% | $15,400 |
| 71 | $6,822 | Automotive Technician Comprehensive | Harbor Occupational Center - LAUSD | 42 wk · 34 hrs | 223 | 41% | 38% | $11,900 |
| 72 | $6,975 | Light Duty Auto-Mechanic | Intech College | 20 wk · 32 hrs | 6 | 100% | 67% | $3,609 |
| 73 | $9,150 | Automotive Electrical & Fuel Injection & Tune up-620 HOURS | RTC COLLEGE | 16 wk · 25 hrs | 89 | 62% | 78% | $22,500 |
| 74 | $21,500 | Automotive Technician (Hybrid) | United Education Institute dba UEI College | 36 wk · 20 hrs | 1,601 | 67% | 56% | $8,840 |
| 75 | $46,460 | Automotive Technology II (5050) | Universal Technical Institute of California, Inc. | 51 wk · 50 hrs | 542 | 86% | 40% | $9,360 |
| 76 | $56,430 | Automotive & EV Technology + 1 Industry Emphasis (Ford FACT) | Universal Technical Institute of Northern California, Inc. | 66 wk · 28 hrs | 345 | 66% | 54% | $9,660 |
| 77 | $56,930 | Automotive Technology II with Ford FACT (5150) | Universal Technical Institute of California, Inc. | 66 wk · 50 hrs | 169 | 76% | 42% | $9,880 |
| 78 | $58,280 | Automotive/Diesel & EV Technology | Universal Technical Institute of Northern California, Inc. | 75 wk · 40 hrs | 483 | 65% | 48% | $10,350 |
| 79 | $58,980 | Automotive & Diesel Technology II (5500) | Universal Technical Institute of California, Inc. | 75 wk · 50 hrs | 302 | 78% | 31% | $10,728 |
| 80 | $69,180 | Automotive & Diesel Technology II with Ford FACT (5650) | Universal Technical Institute of California, Inc. | 90 wk · 50 hrs | 35 | 63% | 39% | $10,400 |
Source and date: U.S. Department of Labor, Training Provider Results — the open program index behind trainingproviderresults.gov, snapshot taken 2026-09-02 (3,266 programs for California in the index that day); the site states the data cover programs approved as of June 30, 2025 and outcomes for July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2025. Cost is Out-of-Pocket Cost for a Non-WIOA Participant: Tuition and Requested Fees (DE111) where the provider reported it, otherwise Average number of dollars the training program received from each WIOA participant Individual Training Account (ITA) during the time period (DE138/DE135) — the basis is printed under each figure; books and supplies are added only when reported separately. “Completed” = Percent of All Students who completed the program (DE122/DE121); “Employed Q2” = Percent of All Students Exiters who were employed in the 2nd Quarter after Exit (DE123/DE129); “Median earnings” = Median Earnings in the 2nd Quarter after Exit of All Students that are Employed in the 2nd Quarter after Exit (DE125) — one calendar quarter, not a year. A dash means the federal file prints −1: Values displayed as "-1" indicate data that have been suppressed to protect confidentiality. Your local job center decides eligibility — this shows what is on the list and what it cost and produced, not whether you will be approved.
The list is free. The ranking by what each program produced is $39.
This page sorts automotive-technician programs in California by the cost their providers published. The Retraining ROI report takes one target occupation and one state, ranks every listed program by the employment its completers reported, and — if you give your current pay — prints a payback estimate per program with its basis. Built on order from the same federal record; free sample on that page.
The $39 ROI report Free funding finder The $19 Directions plan
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