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Diesel mechanic training in California

10 diesel mechanic programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

10 schools offer these diesel mechanic programs, and California has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Diesel mechanics inspect and repair buses and trucks and maintain diesel engines of every kind. Community colleges and technical schools offer certificates and degrees in diesel repair, employers may require or prefer certification, and some jobs need a commercial driver's license to test-drive trucks and buses.1 Under federal rules, anyone paid to handle the refrigerant in a truck's cab air conditioning must be certified by an EPA-approved program.2

In California, 3 of the 10 programs take students without a high school diploma, 5 ask for a diploma or equivalent and 2 ask for earlier courses first.

By kind, the 10 programs here are diesel technician certificate or diploma (6 programs), medium and heavy truck technician (2 programs), diesel mechanic apprenticeship (1 program) and heavy equipment mechanic (1 program).

See the 10 programs

How much does diesel mechanic training cost in California?

$1,518 to $2,868 is what most diesel mechanic programs in California cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 9 programs with a price. All of them: $736 to $41,450

In the typical program

Finished the program
90%
Working 6 months later
51%
Earned a year, estimated
about $42,500
Length
33 to 64 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in California may also offer diesel mechanic training. How these figures are made

Is there free diesel mechanic training in California?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 10 diesel mechanic programs in California approved for WIOA funding

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10 programs

  • Diesel mechanic apprenticeshipHybridNo diploma needed

    CAT Apprenticeship Program

    San Joaquin Delta College

    Stockton

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    San Joaquin Delta College, StocktonDiesel mechanic apprenticeship · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$54,800
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    More details about CAT Apprenticeship Program at San Joaquin Delta College
    Finished
    96%
    Working at 6 months
    66%
    Earned in a quarter
    $13,699
    Length
    70 weeks, 38 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    1,313
    Earned a year, estimated
    $54,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    Not reported

  • Diesel technician certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    Diesel Mechanic Technician

    Harbor Occupational Center - LAUSD

    San Pedro

    No diploma needed

    Harbor Occupational Center - LAUSD, San PedroDiesel technician certificate or diplomaIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$59,000
    Price if you pay yourself$1,890

    5 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Diesel Mechanic Technician at Harbor Occupational Center - LAUSD
    More details about Diesel Mechanic Technician at Harbor Occupational Center - LAUSD
    Finished
    52%
    Working at 6 months
    68%
    Earned in a quarter
    $14,742
    Length
    18 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $735
    Students counted
    593
    Earned a year, estimated
    $59,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,890
    students trained with WIOA funding
    5
    Program website, Diesel Mechanic Technician at Harbor Occupational Center - LAUSD

  • Diesel technician certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Diesel Technology II (295)

    Universal Technical Institute of Southern California Inc.

    Long Beach

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Universal Technical Institute of Southern California Inc., Long BeachDiesel technician certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$42,500
    Price if you pay yourself$41,450
    Program website, Diesel Technology II (295) at Universal Technical Institute of Southern California Inc.
    More details about Diesel Technology II (295) at Universal Technical Institute of Southern California Inc.
    Finished
    57%
    Working at 6 months
    29%
    Earned in a quarter
    $10,624
    Length
    45 weeks, 27 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $680
    Students counted
    593
    Earned a year, estimated
    $42,500
    Price if you pay yourself
    $41,450
    Program website, Diesel Technology II (295) at Universal Technical Institute of Southern California Inc.

  • Diesel technician certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Diesel Technology II (290)

    Universal Technical Institute of California, Inc.

    Rancho Cucamonga

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Universal Technical Institute of California, Inc., Rancho CucamongaDiesel technician certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$41,600
    Price if you pay yourself$41,450
    More details about Diesel Technology II (290) at Universal Technical Institute of California, Inc.
    Finished
    84%
    Working at 6 months
    36%
    Earned in a quarter
    $10,400
    Length
    45 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $680
    Students counted
    229
    Earned a year, estimated
    $41,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $41,450

  • Medium and heavy truck technicianIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Medium/Heavy Truck Service and Repair

    Reedley Community College

    Reedley

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Reedley Community College, ReedleyMedium and heavy truck technician · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$28,800
    Price if you pay yourself$2,868
    Program website, Medium/Heavy Truck Service and Repair at Reedley Community College
    More details about Medium/Heavy Truck Service and Repair at Reedley Community College
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    100%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,210
    Length
    48 weeks, 34 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,642
    Students counted
    58
    Earned a year, estimated
    $28,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,868
    Program website, Medium/Heavy Truck Service and Repair at Reedley Community College

  • Diesel technician certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Diesel Equipment Technology

    Merced College

    Merced

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Merced College, MercedDiesel technician certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedLeft out
    Price if you pay yourself$1,518
    School website, Diesel Equipment Technology at Merced College
    More details about Diesel Equipment Technology at Merced College
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    16%
    Earned in a quarter
    Left out
    Length
    36 weeks, 32 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $531
    Students counted
    48
    Earned a year, estimated
    Left out
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,518
    School website, Diesel Equipment Technology at Merced College

  • Diesel technician certificate or diplomaHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Diesel Technology

    Fresno City College

    Fresno

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Fresno City College, FresnoDiesel technician certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,720
    Program website, Diesel Technology at Fresno City College
    More details about Diesel Technology at Fresno City College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    90 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $540
    Students counted
    36
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,720
    Program website, Diesel Technology at Fresno City College

  • Heavy equipment mechanicIn personNo diploma needed

    Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technician

    Rio Hondo College

    Whittier

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Rio Hondo College, WhittierHeavy equipment mechanic · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$736
    School website, Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technician at Rio Hondo College
    More details about Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technician at Rio Hondo College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    32 weeks, 13 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,600
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $736
    School website, Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technician at Rio Hondo College

  • Diesel technician certificate or diplomaIn personPrerequisite courses

    BC AUTO-Light Duty Diesel Performance

    Kern Community College District

    Bakersfield

    Prerequisite courses

    Kern Community College District, BakersfieldDiesel technician certificate or diplomaIn person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,100
    School website, BC AUTO-Light Duty Diesel Performance at Kern Community College District
    More details about BC AUTO-Light Duty Diesel Performance at Kern Community College District
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    32 weeks, 18 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,600
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,100
    School website, BC AUTO-Light Duty Diesel Performance at Kern Community College District

  • Medium and heavy truck technicianIn personPrerequisite courses

    Heavy/Medium Duty Diesel Truck Technology

    San Bernardino Valley College

    San Bernardino

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    San Bernardino Valley College, San BernardinoMedium and heavy truck technician · Accredited schoolIn person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,886
    Program website, Heavy/Medium Duty Diesel Truck Technology at San Bernardino Valley College
    More details about Heavy/Medium Duty Diesel Truck Technology at San Bernardino Valley College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    96 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,935
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,886
    Program website, Heavy/Medium Duty Diesel Truck Technology at San Bernardino Valley College

How to pay for diesel mechanic training in California

WIOA funding can pay for diesel mechanic training in California

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for diesel mechanic training

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.78

GI Bill for diesel mechanic training

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.9

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: Diesel mechanic training in California

programs with a price cost under $2,000
5 of 9
lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
1st of 26
other states where the typical program's graduates earned less
10 of 13
diesel mechanic programs here, against the typical state's 8
10 vs 8

State comparisons use the same figures as the diesel mechanic training by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Diesel mechanic training in Los Angeles, Riverside, Fresno and other California cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above.

Other training in California

How diesel mechanic training compares with the rest of skilled trades: Trade school programs in California

Where the California diesel mechanic program numbers come from

Which California diesel mechanic programs are on this list?

These are the diesel mechanic programs California approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).10 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what California offers.

How the prices and results of California diesel mechanic programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about diesel mechanic training in California

Show the 10 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Diesel Service Technicians and Mechanics
  2. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations: 40 CFR part 82, subpart B, Servicing of motor vehicle air conditioners
  3. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  4. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  5. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  6. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  8. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  9. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  10. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List