Apprentice Vehicle Technician Salary in California

How much does an Apprentice Vehicle Technician make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Apprentice Vehicle Technician in California is $57,618 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

However, an Apprentice Vehicle Technician's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $71,301
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $52,984 to $64,780
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $48,766

Key Factors That Influence Apprentice Vehicle Technician Salaries

An Apprentice Vehicle Technician's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Apprentice Vehicle Technician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Apprentice Vehicle Technician's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $56,126
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $65,711
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $72,746
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $81,469
  • Expert (over 8 years): $141,811
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Apprentice Vehicle Technician less than 1 year $56,126
Industrial Engineering Technician II 1-2 years $65,711
Industrial Engineering Technician III 2-4 years $72,746
Industrial Engineering Technician IV 5-8 years $81,469
Industrial Engineering Manager over 8 years $141,811

Top Paying Cities for Apprentice Vehicle Technician

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $57,717
  • West Hollywood: $57,676
  • Dodgertown: $57,717

Apprentice Vehicle Technician Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Apprentice Vehicle Technician roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Apprentice Vehicle Technician positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Apprentice Vehicle Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Apprentice Vehicle Technician

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking $80,665 $39.0 40%
Biotechnology $77,784 $37.0 35%
Pharmaceuticals $74,903 $36.0 30%
Financial Services $72,023 $35.0 25%
Energy & Utilities $69,142 $33.0 20%

Apprentice Vehicle Technician Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Apprentice Vehicle Technician's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$52,984
Average $57,618/year
$64,780
$4,415
Average $4,802/month
$5,398
$1,019
Average $1,108/week
$1,246
$25
Average $28/hour
$31
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $64,780 $5,398 $1,246 $31
Average $57,618 $4,802 $1,108 $28
25th Percentile $52,984 $4,415 $1,019 $25

Find Your Next Apprentice Vehicle Technician Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Apprentice Vehicle Technician job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • BBB Automotive | Newport Beach, CA

    BBB Automotive | Newport Beach, CA

    FERRARI OF NEWPORT BEACH IS SEEKING AN EXCEPTIONAL APPRENTICE TECHNICIAN TO JOIN OUR SERVICE CENTER.Hours are Monday through Friday from 8am-5pm.We are loo... more

    9 Days Ago

  • BBB Automotive | San Diego, CA

    BBB Automotive | San Diego, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Join the SD Luxury Motors Service Center Team. SD LUXURY MOTORS IS SEEKING AN APPRENTICE TECHNICIAN TO JOIN OUR SERVICE C... more

    10 Days Ago

  • Lithia Motors | Los Angeles, CA

    Lithia Motors | Los Angeles, CA

    Lithia Motors - - Responsibilities: Perform routine maintenance and basic repairs under supervision. Assist diagnose mechanical and electrical concerns. Co... more

    10 Days Ago

  • Paul Davis Restoration | Murrieta, CA

    Paul Davis Restoration | Murrieta, CA

    Water, Mold, Smoke, Fire Apprentice. This position requires construction experience and experience using hand tools. Do not apply if you have not worked in... more

    10 Days Ago

  • Synergy Companies | Anaheim, CA

    Synergy Companies | Anaheim, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Synergy Companies help to provide no-cost energy-saving programs to applicants of the local public utilities. We are a su... more

    8 Days Ago

  • CALIFORNIA BOILER INC | Oxnard, CA

    CALIFORNIA BOILER INC | Oxnard, CA

    SUMMARY The position of Apprentice Technician performs their duties while supporting California Boiler's mission, vision, and values.This is a starting pos... more

    9 Days Ago

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst