No state has more FAA-approved aircraft mechanic schools than California, and that’s not an accident.
The state’s aviation ecosystem spans commercial airline hubs in Los Angeles and San Francisco, a massive defense and aerospace manufacturing sector, one of the country’s busiest general aviation networks, and a cargo and charter industry that runs year-round.
The best aircraft mechanic schools in California reflect that range, from tuition-free adult education programs at working airports to private universities with tool kits included in the price.
This guide covers the California programs currently listed in the AMT Registry, a national directory of FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician schools. Each entry links to both the school’s program page and its AMT Registry listing.
Quick Comparison
| School | Location | Credential | Length | Approx. Cost | GI Bill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mt. San Antonio College | Walnut | AAS Degree | 24 months | ~$4,200 | Yes |
| San Diego Miramar College | San Diego | AAS Degree | 24 months | ~$3,588 | Yes |
| California Aeronautical University | Bakersfield | AAS Degree | 17 months | Not listed | Yes |
| North Valley Occupational Center | Los Angeles | Certificate | 24 months | Free | No |
| College of Alameda | Alameda | Certificate | 24 months | $11,455 | Yes |
| Aviation Institute of Maintenance | Fremont | Certificate | 21 months | $47,410 | Yes |
| Spartan College of Aeronautics | Riverside | Certificate | 15 months | $49,950 | Not listed |
| Gavilan College | Gilroy | AAS Degree | 24 months | ~$1,506/yr | Yes |
| Sacramento City College | Sacramento | AAS Degree | 24 months | ~$416/semester | Yes |
| Orange Coast College | Costa Mesa | AAS Degree | 24 months | $46/unit | Yes |
| San Bernardino Valley College | San Bernardino | AAS Degree | 24 months | $46/unit | Yes |
| San Joaquin Valley College | Fresno | Certificate | 17 months | Not listed | Not listed |
| Solano Community College | Vacaville | Certificate | Not listed | ~$1,191/yr | Yes |
1. Mt. San Antonio College — Walnut
School Website | AMT Registry Listing
Address: 1100 N Grand Ave, Walnut, CA 91789 Program Length: 24 months | Cost: ~$4,200 (certificate, in-state) | GI Bill: Yes Ratings: Airframe & Powerplant | Credential: AAS Degree | Schedule: Day & Evening Clock Hours: 1,900
Mt. SAC runs one of the largest Aviation Maintenance Technology programs in the western United States, and its scale translates directly into resources. The aviation facility holds a diverse fleet that includes operational jets, helicopters, and general aviation aircraft, covering the full range of equipment a working mechanic is likely to encounter.
The program leads to an Associate of Science degree and runs both day and evening cohorts, which is a practical advantage in a region where many students are working or have family commitments during standard school hours.
At roughly $4,200 for the certificate option and community college per-unit rates for the degree, it’s also one of the most affordable programs in Southern California.
Major commercial airlines and aerospace companies recruit directly from Mt. SAC, and the program’s location in the eastern LA metro puts graduates within range of LAX, Ontario International, and a dense network of MRO operators.
Best for: Southern California students who want a large, well-resourced program with flexible scheduling and an AAS degree at community college cost.
2. San Diego Miramar College — San Diego
School Website | AMT Registry Listing
Address: 10440 Black Mountain Road, San Diego, CA 92126 Program Length: 24 months | Cost: ~$3,588 (in-state) | GI Bill: Yes Ratings: Airframe & Powerplant | Credential: AAS Degree | Schedule: Day Clock Hours: 1,900
Miramar’s program sits near Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, and that proximity shapes both the curriculum and the graduate pipeline. The training fleet includes jets and helicopters, and the program covers helicopter maintenance and non-destructive testing alongside the standard A&P curriculum.
That breadth makes Miramar graduates competitive for defense contractor positions and naval aviation depot work that other programs don’t specifically prepare students for.
San Diego’s aerospace sector is heavily weighted toward defense, with major employers including Northrop Grumman, General Atomics, and the Navy’s Fleet Readiness Center Southwest all operating in the region. GI Bill approval and scheduling options for working students make this a natural fit for the military community that runs through San Diego’s workforce.
Best for: San Diego-area students, particularly veterans and those targeting defense sector or naval aviation maintenance careers.
3. California Aeronautical University — Bakersfield
School Website | AMT Registry Listing
Address: 1450 Boughton Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93308 Program Length: 17 months | Cost: Not listed (confirm with school) | GI Bill: Yes Ratings: Airframe & Powerplant | Credential: AAS Degree | Schedule: Day Housing: Available
CAU finishes the AMT diploma in 17 months, one of the faster timelines among California’s degree-granting programs. The campus sits at Meadows Field Airport in Bakersfield, where hangar training happens against a backdrop of real aircraft operations rather than a parking lot.
Two things distinguish CAU from every other school on this list. First, every AMT graduate receives a 263-piece Sonic Tools toolkit, valued at $6,000, included in the program.
Showing up to your first maintenance job without tools is a common problem for new technicians; CAU removes it. Second, on-campus housing is available, making this a realistic option for students relocating from outside the Central Valley.
Employer outcomes listed by CAU include Northrop Grumman, SkyWest Airlines, and the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit, a range that signals graduates go into airline, defense, and public safety aviation roles.
Best for: Students willing to relocate to Bakersfield for an accelerated, immersive program with housing on site and a toolkit included in training.
4. North Valley Occupational Center — Los Angeles
School Website | AMT Registry Listing
Address: 16550 Saticoy St, Lake Balboa, CA 91402 Program Length: 24 months | Cost: Free (supplies only) | GI Bill: No Ratings: Airframe & Powerplant | Credential: Certificate | Schedule: Day & Evening Clock Hours: 2,000
NVOC operates at Van Nuys Airport, one of the busiest general aviation airports in the country, and charges nothing for tuition. As part of the adult education offerings within the Los Angeles area, the program is open to qualifying students at no cost beyond supplies.
That makes it the most accessible entry point to A&P training in California for students who cannot take on debt or afford private school tuition.
The curriculum covers the full FAA Part 147 requirements across 2,000 clock hours, including piston and turbine powerplants, hydraulics, welding, and aircraft structures.
Day and evening schedules make it workable for students who need to keep working while they train. The Van Nuys location also puts graduates in range of the LA basin’s enormous general aviation and charter market.
GI Bill benefits are not listed as approved, so veterans should confirm eligibility directly before enrolling.
Best for: Los Angeles-area students who need a no-cost path to A&P certification and can commit to a two-year program.
5. College of Alameda — Alameda
School Website | AMT Registry Listing
Address: 970 Harbor Bay Pkwy, Alameda, CA 94502 Program Length: 24 months | Cost: $11,455 | GI Bill: Yes Ratings: Airframe & Powerplant | Credential: Certificate | Schedule: Evening only
The College of Alameda’s AMT program runs exclusively in the evenings, and its location at the north end of Oakland International Airport makes it the most logistically practical option for working professionals in the Bay Area. Students train alongside active airport operations, not in a simulated environment.
Credits earned at Alameda transfer to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, which matters if a four-year degree is part of the longer-term plan. GI Bill benefits are accepted, and the program uses a mix of actual aircraft and system mockup trainers for diagnostic training.
For Bay Area students who are employed during the day and want to earn A&P credentials without quitting their jobs, this program’s evening-only structure is a direct answer to that constraint.
Best for: Bay Area working adults who need an evening-only program on an active airport, with a clear transfer pathway to a four-year degree.
6. Aviation Institute of Maintenance — Fremont
School Website | AMT Registry Listing
Address: 420 Whitney Pl, Fremont, CA 94539 Program Length: 21 months | Cost: $47,410 | GI Bill: Yes Ratings: Airframe & Powerplant | Credential: Certificate | Schedule: Confirm with school Clock Hours: 2,040
AIM’s Fremont campus serves the Bay Area with the same 21-month, 2,040-hour curriculum offered at AIM locations nationally. Industry partnerships with American, United, Delta, and Piedmont provide direct connections to commercial airline hiring that most California programs don’t have.
The program is FAA Part 147 approved, GI Bill eligible, and runs in a dedicated training facility focused on A&P exam readiness. It costs significantly more than the community colleges on this list, but the airline partnerships and the structured career pipeline shift the calculation for students whose specific goal is commercial airline maintenance work.
Best for: Bay Area students targeting commercial airline maintenance careers, particularly veterans who can apply GI Bill benefits to offset the higher tuition.
7. Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology — Riverside
School Website | AMT Registry Listing
Address: 4130 Mennes Avenue, Building 36, Riverside, CA 92509 Program Length: 15 months | Cost: $49,950 | GI Bill: Not listed Ratings: Airframe & Powerplant | Credential: Certificate | Schedule: Day & Evening
Spartan’s Riverside campus is a branch of its Inglewood location and offers one of the shorter timelines among California’s private programs at 15 months. Both day and evening cohorts are available, and the school publishes transparent cost information that bundles tuition with tool kit and materials fees, making it easier to budget accurately.
The Inland Empire location serves students in the Riverside and San Bernardino areas who want a private school structure without commuting into Los Angeles. GI Bill approval is not listed on the Registry; confirm directly with the school before enrolling.
Best for: Inland Empire students who want a private school structure and an accelerated timeline, and who are not relying on GI Bill benefits.
8. Gavilan College — Gilroy
School Website | AMT Registry Listing
Address: 13021 Murphy Avenue, Gilroy, CA 95020 Program Length: 24 months | Cost: ~$1,506/year (in-state) | GI Bill: Yes Ratings: Airframe & Powerplant | Credential: AAS Degree | Schedule: Day Clock Hours: 1,900
Gavilan runs its program at San Martin Airport in Gilroy, a small general aviation airport that gives students a quieter, more hands-on training environment than the larger metropolitan programs.
The program partners with San Jose State University for a 2+2 transfer pathway, one of the few California AMT programs with a direct articulation agreement to a four-year engineering school.
At roughly $1,506 per year in-state, it’s one of the most affordable programs in Northern California. GI Bill benefits are accepted.
Best for: South Bay and Central Coast students who want an affordable AAS degree with a clear transfer pathway to San Jose State.
9. Sacramento City College — Sacramento
School Website | AMT Registry Listing
Address: 3835 Freeport Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95822 Program Length: 24 months | Cost: ~$416/semester (in-state) | GI Bill: Yes Ratings: Airframe & Powerplant | Credential: AAS Degree | Schedule: Evening only Clock Hours: 1,900
SCC operates at McClellan Park, a former Air Force Base repurposed into an aviation and aerospace industrial complex.
The program is one of the oldest FAA-approved schools in California and trains on jet engines and a varied aircraft fleet accumulated over decades.
Classes run evenings only, which suits students who work during the day. At roughly $416 per semester, it’s among the cheapest paths to an AAS degree in the state. SCC’s long history in the Sacramento market means its graduates are recognized by the region’s aviation employers.
Best for: Sacramento-area students who need an evening schedule and want one of the lowest-cost AAS programs in the state.
10. Orange Coast College — Costa Mesa
School Website | AMT Registry Listing
Address: 2701 Fairview Rd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Program Length: 24 months | Cost: $46/unit (in-state) | GI Bill: Yes Ratings: Airframe & Powerplant | Credential: AAS Degree | Schedule: Day
OCC’s Aviation Maintenance Technology program has a long track record in Orange County and trains students on a fleet that includes turbine aircraft.
The curriculum covers advanced avionics, turbine engine overhaul, and structural repair, with a focus on producing technicians ready for commercial airline and corporate aviation work in Southern California.
At $46 per unit, the cost is comparable to other California community colleges, and GI Bill benefits are accepted. OCC’s location in Costa Mesa puts graduates within reach of John Wayne Airport and the broader LA aviation market.
Best for: Orange County students who want an established program with turbine training at community college cost.
11. San Bernardino Valley College — San Bernardino
School Website | AMT Registry Listing
Address: 701 South Mount Vernon Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92410 Program Length: 24 months | Cost: $46/unit (in-state) | GI Bill: Yes Ratings: Airframe & Powerplant | Credential: AAS Degree | Schedule: Day & Evening
SBVC offers an FAA-approved AMT program covering all three FAA subject areas at per-unit community college rates. Day and evening options make it one of the more schedule-flexible community college programs in the Inland Empire.
The program is straightforward in its positioning: affordable, FAA-approved, and accessible to students who want to stay in the San Bernardino area rather than commute to Riverside or Los Angeles.
Best for: Inland Empire students who want a community college AAS degree with scheduling flexibility and no commute to a larger city.
12. San Joaquin Valley College — Fresno
School Website | AMT Registry Listing
Address: 4985 East Andersen Avenue, Fresno, CA 93727 Program Length: 17 months | Cost: Not listed (confirm with school) | GI Bill: Not listed Ratings: Airframe & Powerplant | Credential: Certificate | Schedule: Confirm with school
SJVC’s Fresno Trades Education Center runs a 17-month AMT certificate program notable for its apprenticeship pathway with SkyWest Airlines. For students in the Central Valley interested specifically in regional airline maintenance, that employer connection is worth asking about directly during admissions.
Cost and GI Bill status are not published on the Registry listing; confirm both with the school before making enrollment decisions.
Best for: Central Valley students who want an accelerated certificate with a potential airline apprenticeship connection.
13. Solano Community College — Vacaville
School Website | AMT Registry Listing
Address: 2010 Cessna Drive, Vacaville, CA 95688 Program Length: Not listed | Cost: ~$1,191/year (in-state) | GI Bill: Yes Ratings: Airframe & Powerplant | Credential: Certificate | Schedule: Confirm with school
Solano’s program runs at Nut Tree Airport in Vacaville, with a hangar and classrooms covering reciprocating and turbine engines, hydraulic systems, and aircraft structures. Its proximity to Travis Air Force Base makes it a natural fit for students connected to the military aviation community in Solano County.
Program length is not listed on the Registry; confirm the current timeline and schedule directly with the school. At roughly $1,191 per year in-state, it’s one of the lowest-cost options in Northern California for students who qualify.
Best for: Vacaville and Fairfield-area students, particularly those with ties to Travis AFB, who want a low-cost local option.
The California Aviation Job Market
California’s aviation job market doesn’t behave like a single market. LAX and its surrounding MRO infrastructure employ thousands of mechanics and is one of the highest-density aviation employment zones in the country.
San Diego’s defense and naval aviation sector runs parallel to commercial aviation and often hires from a different pipeline.
The Bay Area combines commercial traffic at SFO and OAK with aerospace manufacturing and tech-sector corporate flight departments.
And throughout the state, a dense network of general aviation airports, cargo carriers, charter operators, and agricultural aviation companies generates steady demand for A&P mechanics well outside the major metro centers.
Entry-level A&P mechanics in California typically start between $50,000 and $62,000 annually, higher than the national average in part because of the state’s cost of living. Experienced technicians at major airlines, defense contractors, or MRO operations regularly earn $85,000 to $110,000 or more.
California also has more FAA-approved Part 147 schools than any other state, which means competition for students is real. That’s good news for anyone enrolling: programs here are incentivized to maintain quality, keep costs reasonable, and maintain employer relationships that benefit graduates.
More California Programs
The schools covered here are the California programs currently listed in the AMT Registry. The full directory is searchable by state, credential type, GI Bill approval, and program length.
