California Community Colleges
Automotive Technology Programs
Automotive technology programs at community colleges in this state. ASE-aligned coursework for technicians and service writers.
39 colleges · 728 sections · 352 unique courses · Fall 2026 · Updated today
Auto-tech programs at California community colleges prepare students for ASE-certified service technician careers at dealerships, independent repair shops, fleet operations, and specialty performance/heavy-equipment facilities. The 728 sections at 39 California CCs colleges this term combine shop hours on real vehicles with theory in engines, transmissions, brakes, electronics, HVAC, and (increasingly) electric and hybrid drivetrains.
Most California programs are NATEF-accredited and aligned to ASE testing — graduates can sit for individual ASE exams (A1 engine repair, A4 suspension/steering, etc.) and stack credentials over their career. The diploma or AAS gets students into the shop; the ASE certifications and dealer-specific training (Ford ASSET, GM ASEP, Honda PACT) are what determine long-term pay.
Colleges offering Automotive Technology
Pick a college to see its full plan — every required course, which ones transfer to the school you want, and what’s open now.
Automotive Technology is a transfer program — community colleges offer the coursework; you earn the degree, and its earnings, at a four-year university. See where it transfers →
| College | Sections | Courses | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cerritos College | 48 | 17 | 7 |
| Cuyamaca College | 48 | 46 | 14 |
| Grossmont College | 48 | 46 | 14 |
| Bakersfield College | 37 | 15 | 3 |
| Porterville College | 37 | 15 | 3 |
| Santa Ana College | 32 | 22 | 3 |
| Rio Hondo College | 31 | 21 | 5 |
| Butte College | 29 | 23 | 1 |
| Victor Valley College | 28 | 19 | 5 |
| College of the Desert | 27 | 17 | 3 |
| Merced College | 27 | 14 | 1 |
| Saddleback College | 25 | 15 | 1 |
| San Bernardino Valley College | 25 | 17 | 1 |
| Riverside City College | 22 | 11 | — |
| San Diego Miramar College | 19 | 15 | — |
| Pasadena City College | 17 | 15 | 1 |
| College of the Sequoias | 16 | 8 | — |
| Golden West College | 16 | 15 | — |
| Citrus College | 15 | 15 | 3 |
| Evergreen Valley College | 15 | 12 | — |
| Fullerton College | 15 | 10 | 13 |
| San Jose City College | 15 | 12 | — |
| Skyline College | 12 | 11 | 2 |
| Antelope Valley Community College District | 11 | 7 | — |
| Las Positas College | 11 | 10 | — |
| Los Medanos College | 11 | 7 | — |
| Mendocino College | 11 | 9 | — |
| Long Beach City College | 10 | 10 | — |
| Santa Barbara City College | 10 | 8 | 2 |
| Shasta College | 9 | 6 | 7 |
| Woodland Community College | 9 | 8 | — |
| Yuba College | 9 | 8 | — |
| City College of San Francisco | 8 | 7 | — |
| Palo Verde College | 6 | 6 | — |
| Monterey Peninsula College | 5 | 5 | — |
| Barstow Community College | 4 | 4 | — |
| College of Marin | 4 | 4 | — |
| Sierra College | 4 | 2 | — |
| Santa Monica College | 2 | 2 | — |
Automotive Technology Availability Snapshot
How automotive technology sections are being offered across 39 colleges in California this term (728 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person551 (76%)
- hybrid88 (12%)
- online86 (12%)
- zoom3 (0%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)237
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)152
- Evening (5 PM and after)190
- Asynchronous / TBA149
Start dates
Sections begin on 39 distinct dates. 216 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 216 distinct instructors across 39 colleges.
Degree requirements by college
Expand a college to see the courses required for graduation. Data sourced from each college's official catalog.
College of the Desert16 programs
Cuyamaca College9 programs
Evergreen Valley College2 programs
Fullerton College10 programs
Long Beach City College7 programs
Pasadena City College5 programs
San Bernardino Valley College15 programs
San Joaquin Delta College6 programs
Sierra College1 program
Common Automotive Technology courses
- AUTO 100Introduction to Automotive Technology(20 sections)
- AUTO 102Automotive Systems(13 sections)
- AUTO B11Automotive Fundamentals(12 sections)
- AUTO B30Electrical and Electronic Systems(10 sections)
- AUTO 101Fundamentals of Automotive Service, Diagnosis and Repair(10 sections)
- AUTO 50Intro Automotive Mechanics(10 sections)
- AUTO 130Manual Drivetrain and Axles(9 sections)
- AUTO 103Light Line Technician(9 sections)
- AUT 50Automotive Principles(8 sections)
- AUTO 160Automotive Electrical Fundamentals(8 sections)
- AUTO 110Automotive Engines(8 sections)
- AUTO 140Auto Steering & Suspension(7 sections)
Career outlook for Automotive Technology graduates
Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for the primary career outcome of this program (2024 OEWS release). Compare California’s typical pay to the national picture before choosing where to study.
Wage data reflects all workers in the occupation, not just recent CC graduates — entry-level pay is typically lower. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.
Frequently asked questions
- Will I need to buy my own tools?
- Eventually yes. Most California programs supply the shop tools you'll use during training, but ASE-certified service technicians at dealerships and independents are expected to bring their own. Tool collections build over a career; budget $3-8k in the first year of full-time employment, much more over time. Some shops offer tool-purchase assistance for new hires.
- What's the pay range for an auto tech?
- Starting techs (apprentices, lube-rack roles) earn $15-20/hr at most California shops. Master-certified techs with multiple ASE credentials at busy dealerships earn $25-45/hr, often on a flat-rate (book-time) system that rewards faster, more efficient work. Diesel and specialty techs (BMW, Mercedes, performance shops) earn the upper end. Independent-shop ownership is the long-tail career path.
- Are EV-specific training and certifications part of the program?
- Increasingly yes. Most California community college auto-tech programs have added high-voltage safety training and intro EV-drivetrain content in the last few years; some offer dedicated EV-tech credentials. The dealer-specific programs (Ford ASSET-EV, GM ASEP-EV) cover brand-specific procedures and are the strongest credential for EV-focused careers.
- Do I need an associate degree or just the diploma?
- For getting hired as a tech, the one-year diploma plus ASE certs is enough at most California shops. The AAS adds business courses, management, and writing — useful if you eventually want to run your own shop or move into service-advisor / shop-foreman roles. Many techs come back for the AAS after a few years in the field.
Compare Automotive Technology programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how California’s automotive technology programs stack up.
Other programs in California
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.