Automotive Service Technicians Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$38,180
- 25th Percentile — Junior$46,580
- 50th Percentile — Median$64,980
- 75th Percentile — Senior$77,060
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$95,280
Half of Automotive Service Technicians in California earn more than $64,980. The top 10% make $95,280 or more, while entry-level workers start around $38,180.
Automotive Service Technicians in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 3rd of 51 states for Automotive Service Technicians pay, at $65,470 per year (16.0% above the U.S. average of $56,420).
- 65,420 people work as Automotive Service Technicians in California — 9.3% of all U.S. Automotive Service Technicians jobs.
- Location quotient 0.79: Automotive Service Technicians jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,180; the top 10% earn over $95,280.
- Hourly equivalent: $31.48 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $67,910.
- Among skilled trades jobs in California, Electrical Power-Line Installers pays the most ($125,270).
Automotive Service Technicians Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Automotive Service Technicians here earn $65,470 on average, placing the state 3rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $65,470 is roughly equivalent to $46,106 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, District of Columbia ($67,910), Alaska ($65,620), Colorado ($63,980) are the closest alternatives for Automotive Service Technicians weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Skilled Trades Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Electrical Power-Line Installers $125,270/yr California +91.3% vs this role
- Telecommunications Line Installers $91,490/yr California +39.7% vs this role
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians $86,110/yr California +31.5% vs this role
- Millwrights $84,220/yr California +28.6% vs this role
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers $81,340/yr California +24.2% vs this role
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics $76,060/yr California +16.2% vs this role
- HVAC Technicians $75,370/yr California +15.1% vs this role
- Bus and Truck Mechanics $72,690/yr California +11.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Automotive Service Technicians salary in California?
The average Automotive Service Technicians salary in California is $65,470 per year (median $64,980), which is 16.0% above the national average of $56,420.
How does California rank for Automotive Service Technicians pay?
California ranks 3rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($67,910/yr).
How much do entry-level Automotive Service Technicians make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Automotive Service Technicians in California earn about $38,180 per year and the 25th percentile is $46,580.
How much do Automotive Service Technicians make per hour in California?
About $31.48 per hour, based on the $65,470 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Automotive Service Technicians work in California?
BLS counts 65,420 Automotive Service Technicians jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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