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A career as a Maintenance Technician in California offers endless possibilities.
With all the machinery in so many different industries, finding a job will allow you to follow your interests.
For those who enjoy vehicles, cars, trucks, trains, aircraft, boats, and submarines, all require maintenance technicians.
Industrial machines and buildings need regular maintenance.
All of these make a career as a Maintenance Technician a good option.
Article Table of Contents
Steps to Become a Maintenance Technician in California
Becoming a Maintenance Technician in California begins with graduating from high school or getting a GED.
To have a career with the state of California, you need to apply for and take a state competency exam with Calcarriers.
You need to decide what type of Maintenance Technician you want to be: industrial, aerospace, automotive, or residential.
Many different schools offer certificates or degrees to train you for your career.
You can also look for employers who offer apprenticeships.
Once you have been trained, you are ready to begin an entry-level position as a Maintenance Technician.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Maintenance Technician in California
While certification is required in some industries (aviation in particular), licensing is only required in construction and automotive.
Maintenance Technician Programs in California
San Joaquin Valley College
San Joaquin Valley College offers the Maintenance Technician Program on four campuses:
- Bakersfield
- Modesto
- Ontario
- Visalia
They have a certificate program.
The certificate program can be completed in as little as seven months.
Students must be at least 17 years of age.
A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
Applicants will undergo an assessment to determine cognitive ability.
Students must be proficient in English and be able to read, write, and communicate effectively.
Students may be required to undergo a criminal background check.
The cost of the certificate program is $20,232.
Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
The course is 30 weeks long and 30 credits.
A valid driver’s license is mandatory.
The classes that make up the course are:
- Power Transmission
- Industrial Electricity
- Fluid Power
- Programmable Logic Controllers
After successful completion of the courses, a certificate of completion will be presented.
Career services are offered to students to help them find the right job.
Sacramento City College
https://scc.losrios.edu/academics/programs-and-majors/industrial-maintenance-mechanic-technician
Sacramento City College offers an Industrial Maintenance Mechanic Technology program.
Their program can be done as an Electro-Mechanical Technician A.S. Degree or one of three certificate programs.
They also provide an A.S. in Aircraft Maintenance Technician and three aircraft maintenance certificate programs.
These aircraft programs are FAA-approved.
The AS degree takes two years and consists of four semesters with a minimum of 60 degree credits.
All classes must be passed with a grade of at least C.
Certificate programs are two semesters and require one year and between 10 and 20 credits, depending on the certificate.
The cost of community colleges in California is $46 per unit.
All applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
You can also be admitted without a high school diploma if you show the ability to profit from a community college education.
There are additional fees and costs to earn your degree or certificate.
Financial aid is available.
California State University Fullerton
https://careertraining.fullerton.edu/training-programs/maintenance-technician/
California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), offers an online Maintenance Technician Course.
The cost of the course is $1695.
The course is 250 hours and takes 18 months.
You can complete the course at your own pace, allowing you to continue in your current employment.
Students need to have a PC or a Mac.
Windows 8 or higher or macOS 10.6 or later.
Adobe Acrobat Reader and Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome are the preferred browsers.
Students also need a personal email address.
Basic computer skills are required.
This course is open enrollment, and when you finish, you receive a Certificate of Completion.
Universal Technical Institute
https://www.uti.edu/locations/california/rancho-cucamonga/electrical-industrial-maintenance
Industrial Maintenance Technician is a 28-credit course offered in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
It requires 750 hours and takes 30 weeks (2-15-week periods).
The tuition is $21,180.00 for the entire course.
A diploma will be issued on successful completion.
Tuition includes lifetime refresher courses as well as career support.
San Jose City College
https://catalog.sjcc.edu/degrees-certificates/facilities-maintenance-technology/
San Jose City College offers an Associate of Science degree and a certificate in Facilities Maintenance Technology.
These courses are taken on campus.
To apply, you must be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Residents of California pay $46 per credit unit.
Additional fees will also apply.
Financial aid is available to those who qualify
The Associate of Science Degree is a 67-unit course over four semesters.
It includes work experience in the second year.
The course includes studies in HVAC, Electrical Concepts, and Industrial Electronics.
The certificate program is a 40-unit course over three semesters.
It includes the same areas of study as the degree program.
Merced College
https://catalog.mccd.edu/pages/npPnReHnl6WMtxFwq6ZN
These are in-person courses.
Merced College in Merced, CA, offers a Certificate of Achievement in Industrial Maintenance.
It is a 39-unit program that is spread over three semesters.
Students also have the option of applying for the AS program in Industrial Maintenance Technology.
The degree program is 64 units over five semesters.
A minimum grade of C and a grade point average of 2.0 is required to pass these programs.
The cost for residents is $46 per unit.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| San Joaquin Valley College | 295 E Sierra Ave, Fresno, CA 93710, United States |
| Sacramento City College | 3835 Freeport Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95822, United States |
| California State University, Fullerton | 800 N State College Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA |
| Universal Technical Institute | 4175 E Conant St, Long Beach, CA 90808, United States |
| San Jose City College | 2100 Moorpark Ave, San Jose, CA 95128, United States |
| Merced College | 3600 M St, Merced, CA 95348, USA |
Salary for a Maintenance Technician in California
The salary for a Maintenance Technician in California is among the highest in the country.
Top-level technicians earn about 50% more than in other states.
At the low end, the salary is $58,025, and at the higher end, $84,204.
The average is about $73,000.
The area location affects the salary, as does your education and experience.
Generally speaking, the salaries are higher in Northern California, especially in the San Francisco area.
The industry that you are looking to work in will also greatly affect your salary.
Keeping in mind that the cost of living is also higher in California.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $57,664 |
| San Diego | $55,164 |
| San Jose | $63,832 |
| San Francisco | $61,450 |
| Fresno | $52,726 |
| Sacramento | $56,057 |
| Long Beach | $57,981 |
| Oakland | $60,269 |
| Bakersfield | $52,565 |
| Anaheim | $57,336 |
Regional Salary in California
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 2,460 | $55,920 | $26.89 | $80,050 | $36,250 |
| Chico, CA | 730 | $55,080 | $26.48 | $81,610 | $36,360 |
| El Centro, CA | 440 | $53,670 | $25.80 | $74,690 | $35,570 |
| Fresno, CA | 3,620 | $52,170 | $25.08 | $75,250 | $34,470 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 480 | $57,760 | $27.77 | $78,900 | $38,590 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 41,080 | $57,710 | $27.74 | $79,660 | $38,020 |
| Merced, CA | 820 | $57,390 | $27.59 | $77,100 | $37,710 |
| Modesto, CA | 1,820 | $60,670 | $29.17 | $82,010 | $39,930 |
| Napa, CA | 860 | $63,690 | $30.62 | $90,500 | $42,680 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 2,640 | $56,020 | $26.93 | $77,260 | $37,300 |
| Redding, CA | 720 | $52,540 | $25.26 | $77,070 | $35,210 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 14,140 | $57,120 | $27.46 | $78,340 | $37,900 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 7,520 | $56,850 | $27.33 | $78,720 | $37,700 |
| Salinas, CA | 1,570 | $55,130 | $26.50 | $78,710 | $36,310 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 12,110 | $57,160 | $27.48 | $78,650 | $38,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 15,870 | $70,080 | $33.69 | $99,900 | $45,890 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 7,010 | $69,680 | $33.50 | $100,790 | $45,400 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 1,300 | $53,340 | $25.65 | $76,200 | $36,290 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 900 | $55,200 | $26.54 | $79,050 | $37,770 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 1,980 | $55,570 | $26.72 | $77,240 | $37,410 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 1,830 | $59,330 | $28.52 | $80,990 | $40,020 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 2,840 | $59,430 | $28.57 | $79,470 | $38,220 |
| Vallejo, CA | 1,250 | $64,390 | $30.96 | $86,770 | $39,160 |
| Visalia, CA | 1,590 | $54,000 | $25.96 | $76,660 | $35,220 |
| Yuba City, CA | 360 | $53,420 | $25.69 | $75,520 | $35,800 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of industries in California are looking for maintenance technicians?
The automotive industry and the aerospace industry are both well represented in California.
Municipal, federal, and state governments also need maintenance technicians.
The semiconductor business is alive and thriving in California with more than 10,000 employees.
Many other businesses, including bakeries, resorts, marinas, railroads, bus companies, and more, require your services.
How much are the licensing fees for a maintenance technician in California?
The licensing requirements for Maintenance Technicians in California are dependent on what type of industry you are working in and the type of work you do.
There are no general requirements for licensing for general maintenance technicians.
How does the salary for Maintenance Technicians in California compare to the national average?
The salary is above the average for Maintenance Technicians.
However, California is the most expensive state in the union to live in when considering monthly costs.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Maintenance Technician
Maintenance Technician by State