Key Figures for Aviation Maintenance Schools in California
Aviation Maintenance Schools in California
20
FAA AV-Info, Sep 2026
Ranked in This State
20
Methodology 2.1
Top Score in the State
74.6
San Diego Miramar College
Median Aircraft Mechanic Pay
$86,100
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Aircraft Mechanics Employed
12,590
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Aircraft mechanic job growth in California is projected at 12.8% through 2034, above the national rate of 4%, inside a state that already runs 20 FAA Part 147 schools, one of the largest counts anywhere.
Bay Area campuses cluster around College of Alameda and Solano Community College in Vacaville, while the Los Angeles basin and Inland Empire host the largest concentration, including West Los Angeles College, Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga, and Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut. San Diego Miramar College serves the south, and California Aeronautical University in Bakersfield, a private school, accepts GI Bill benefits for its Central Valley program.
Aircraft mechanics in California earn a median of $86,100 a year, above the $79,870 national median, and the state ranks 10th among 50 states for that pay. Growth is projected at 12.8% through 2034, adding 1,600 positions, with about 1,160 openings expected each year.
Top Picks
Top Picks in California
Among the aviation maintenance schools in California, a pick appears only when one school clearly leads on its figure; ties and one-school lists produce none.
Top Pick in California
Highest overall score of the 20 ranked schools, 74.6 out of 100.
Best Outcomes in California
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, Los Angeles Campus
Highest IPEDS graduation rate of the 15 ranked schools that report one: 64%.
California Ranking
Top-Ranked Aircraft Mechanic Schools in California
The 20 ranked aviation maintenance schools in California, best score first. Each card shows the school's verified facts and the points it earned on each factor; the top 10 get cards, and the table after them lists every ranked school's points. Scores are national, out of 100, so a school scores the same here as on the national ranking.
Score bars: Outcomes (30)Cost (25)Program Depth (20)Access (15)Scale (10)
-
- Top Pick in California
#1
San Diego Miramar College
San Diego, California
74.6 of 100
This program suits students who want to choose between day and night tracks and can use credit for prior learning, in a Part 147 certificated program at San Diego Miramar College.
- Type
- Community College
- Credentials
- Certificate of Achievement in Aviation Maintenance Technology Airframe; Certificate of Achievement in Aviation Maintenance Technology Powerplant; plus 2 more
- Length
- approximately 1900 hours, 5 semesters, 78 units, 2.5 years to complete
- Cost
- $46, per unit, California resident (78 units for the Certificate; non-resident $304 per unit; tools and equipment not included)
- GI Bill
- Approved
- Schedule
- Day or night track (students choose one, not a combination)
-
- Best Outcomes in California
#2
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, Los Angeles Campus
Inglewood, California
74.1 of 100
This program fits students who want a choice between an 18-month diploma or a 22-month associate degree, both covering the Airframe and Powerplant ratings, at Spartan's main campus in Inglewood, California.
- Type
- Private Aviation School
- Credentials
- Diploma; Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS)
- Length
- Diploma: 18 Months; Associate of Occupational Studies: 22 months
- GI Bill
- Approved
- Schedule
- Day Shift (Airframe & Powerplant Diploma, Mon-Fri 7:30am-1:45pm)
- Starts
- 1/5/26; 3/16/26; 5/26/26; 8/3/26; 9/8/26; 11/16/26
-
#3
Victor Valley College
Victorville, California #5 nationally
71.1 of 100
This fits budget-conscious California residents who want a low-cost, year-round associate degree combining airframe and powerplant training.
- Type
- Community College
- Credentials
- Associate in Science (AS) in Aviation Maintenance Technology
- Length
- 18 months (per catalog)
- Cost
- $3,772, total program (8 required AVA courses, 82 units at $46/unit California resident rate)
- GI Bill
- Approved
-
#4
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, California #7 nationally
69.4 of 100
This program fits a working adult in Orange County who needs evening, weekend, or online scheduling and wants airframe, powerplant, avionics, and helicopter maintenance training under one roof.
- Type
- Community College
- Credentials
- Certificate of Specialization; Certificate of Achievement; plus 1 more
- Length
- Certificate of Achievement: less than 2 years; Associate Degree: under 4 years
- Cost
- $46, per unit, in-state (CA resident)
- GI Bill
- Approved
- Schedule
- Evening, Weekend, and Online Courses
- Avionics
- Avionics track
-
#5
Gavilan College
San Martin, California #8 nationally
67.0 of 100
This program fits someone who wants a full two-year Associate of Science in Aviation with both Airframe and Powerplant ratings, training at a public California community college's own airport campus.
- Type
- Community College
- Credentials
- Certificate of Completion in Aviation Maintenance Technology (Airframe); Certificate of Completion in Aviation Maintenance Technology (Powerplant); plus 1 more
- GI Bill
- Approved
- Starts
- fall semester; spring semester
-
#6
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, California #9 nationally
67.0 of 100
This program fits students who want avionics training added to their airframe and powerplant coursework, on a two-year track toward an associate degree in Southern California's Inland Empire.
- Type
- Community College
- Credentials
- Associate degree (Airframe and Powerplant AS); Certificate - Airframe and Powerplant Technician; plus 2 more
- Length
- 2-year curriculum
- GI Bill
- Approved
- Avionics
- Aircraft Electrical and Avionics Technician certificate
-
#7
Mt. San Antonio College
Walnut, California #10 nationally
66.5 of 100
This program suits California residents who want a public two-year path to an AS degree or certificate in Aircraft Maintenance Technology, at a $2,760 total in-state cost with day or evening class options in Walnut, California.
- Type
- Community College
- Credentials
- AS; Certificate
- Length
- two years
- Cost
- $2,760, total program, in-state (A.S. degree, 60 units)
- Schedule
- day or evening
- Starts
- Next potential application period opens April 2027 for a fall 2027 start
-
#8
Sacramento City College
McClellan, California #17 nationally
63.8 of 100
This program suits students able to start only in summer and attend evening or Saturday classes, at one of the longest-running aircraft mechanic schools, based at McClellan Hangar near Sacramento, California.
- Type
- Community College
- Credentials
- Associate in Science (A.S.) degree; Certificate of Achievement
- Length
- Four semesters (2 years)
- Cost
- $3,220, total program, California resident (as of Fall 2022)
- GI Bill
- Approved
- Schedule
- Monday to Friday, 3:30pm-9:35pm, and some selected Saturdays
- Starts
- Summer (required entry course AMTP 309 offered only in Summer)
-
#9
College of Alameda
Alameda, California #19 nationally
63.7 of 100
College of Alameda suits someone who can commit to two years of evening classes, five days a week, and who can wait, since the school has paused new Aviation Maintenance Technology applications for the next two years.
- Type
- Community College
- Credentials
- Associate of Science (AS) in Airframe; Associate of Science (AS) in Powerplant; plus 2 more
- Length
- Two years full-time, or part-time option, delivered in 18-week blocks
- GI Bill
- Approved
- Schedule
- Evening, five days a week from 3:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (holidays excluded)
- Admissions
- The school notes it is not accepting new applications for the next two years due to demand
-
#10
West Los Angeles College
Culver City, California #36 nationally
57.0 of 100
This fits Los Angeles-area students who want a public college program offering airframe, powerplant, and avionics paths, including a bachelor's option.
- Type
- Community College
- Credentials
- Bachelor's Degree (Avionics); Associate Degree; plus 2 more
- Length
- twenty-three-month continuing program
- GI Bill
- Approved
- Schedule
- Morning, afternoon, or evening sections
| Rank | School | Score | Outcomes (30) | Cost (25) | Program Depth (20) | Access (15) | Scale (10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Diego Miramar College | 74.6 | 22.9 | 23.7 | 14 | 10 | 4 |
| 2 | Spartan Los Angeles | 74.1 | 27.1 | † | 14 | 15 | 5.5 |
| 3 | Victor Valley College | 71.1 | 26.2 | 21.7 | 14 | 5 | 4.2 |
| 4 | Orange Coast College | 69.4 | 22.9 | † | 20 | 10 | 4 |
| 5 | Gavilan College | 67.0 | 18.2 | 23.2 | 14 | 10 | 1.6 |
| 6 | Chaffey College | 67.0 | 12.3 | 24.9 | 20 | 5 | 4.8 |
| 7 | Mt. SAC | 66.5 | 21.2 | 23.7 | 6 | 10 | 5.6 |
| 8 | Sacramento City College | 63.8 | 9.1 | 22.3 | 14 | 15 | 3.4 |
| 9 | College of Alameda | 63.7 | 9.1 | 24.9 | 14 | 10 | 5.7 |
| 10 | West Los Angeles College | 57.0 | 3.2 | 24.4 | 14 | 10 | 5.4 |
| 11 | Reedley College | 54.6 | 18.2 | 14.6 | 14 | 5 | 2.8 |
| 12 | Cuesta College | 49.7 | † | † | 8 | 10 | † |
| 13 | Spartan Inland Empire | 49.7 | † | † | 8 | 10 | † |
| 14 | AIM Fremont | 41.7 | † | † | 0 | 10 | † |
| 15 | Solano Community College | 40.4 | 12.3 | † | 14 | 0 | 1.6 |
| 16 | North Valley Occupational Center | 39.7 | † | † | 8 | 0 | † |
| 17 | SJVC | 39.7 | † | † | 8 | 0 | † |
| 18 | Antelope Valley College | 38.6 | 10.5 | † | 6 | 0 | 9.6 |
| 19 | San Bernardino Valley College | 36.3 | 3.2 | † | 14 | 5 | 1.6 |
| 20 | CalAero | 30.8 | 5.2 | 5.7 | 14 | 5 | 0.9 |
By Metro Area
Aviation Maintenance School Rankings by California Metro Area
Each metro ranking scores every school within commuting range and adds the local airports, employers, and BLS pay for aircraft mechanics.
| Top-Ranked School | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Aviation maintenance schools near Los Angeles | 10 | Spartan Los Angeles | $83,250 |
| Aviation maintenance schools near Riverside-San Bernardino | 11 | San Diego Miramar College | $81,440 |
| Aviation maintenance schools near San Francisco-Oakland | 4 | Gavilan College | $93,400 |
| Aviation maintenance schools near San Diego | 6 | San Diego Miramar College | $87,560 |
| Aviation maintenance schools near Sacramento | 4 | Sacramento City College | $82,420 |
| Aviation maintenance schools near San Jose | 5 | Gavilan College | $98,760 |
| Aviation maintenance schools near Fresno | 2 | Gavilan College | $71,240 |
| Aviation maintenance schools near Bakersfield | 5 | Reedley College | $91,750 |
| Aviation maintenance schools near Oxnard-Ventura | 8 | Spartan Los Angeles | $79,590 |
| Aviation maintenance schools near Stockton | 5 | Gavilan College | $75,250 |
BLS Wage Data
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in California
BLS reports a median annual wage of $86,100 ($41.40 an hour) for aircraft mechanics and service technicians in California, where 12,590 people held the job in May 2025. That median ranks 10th of the 50 states with published data; the national median is $79,870.
Projections Central expects statewide employment in the occupation to move from 12,500 in 2024 to 14,100 in 2034 (+12.8%), with about 1,160 openings a year.
Avionics Technician Pay in California
See the full California aircraft mechanic salary breakdown by metro area
Local Context
Why San Jose Pays More Than Los Angeles for Aircraft Mechanics
San Jose's aircraft mechanics earn a median of $98,760 a year, the highest figure among California's metros in this data, even though its population, 1,995,484, is a fraction of Los Angeles's 12,927,614. Los Angeles pays a median of $83,250 instead.
Solano Community College trains in the Bay Area, near that San Jose pay premium, while Chaffey College, Mt. San Antonio College, and several other schools cluster in the Los Angeles basin and Inland Empire, closer to the state's largest population center.
A Dense Cluster in the Los Angeles Basin and Inland Empire
West Los Angeles College, Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino Valley College, Victor Valley College in Victorville, Antelope Valley College in Lancaster, and Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut all sit within the greater Los Angeles and Inland Empire region, giving students there more nearby choices than anywhere else in the state.
Central Valley and Bay Area Options
San Joaquin Valley College in Fresno, Sacramento City College, and Reedley College serve the Central Valley, while California Aeronautical University in Bakersfield runs a private program that accepts GI Bill benefits. College of Alameda, Gavilan College in San Martin, and Solano Community College in Vacaville cover the Bay Area instead.
Methodology
How We Rank Aviation Maintenance Schools in California
Every open FAA-approved college-level school gets one national score out of 100: Outcomes 30 (IPEDS graduation rate), Cost 25 (comparable whole-program price), Program Depth 20, Access 15, and Scale 10 (IPEDS awards a year). This page orders the schools in California by that score, so the ranks here match the national list of 204 ranked schools.
The full rules, including how a missing figure is scored at the peer median, are on our ranking methodology page.
FAA Certification
Getting Your A&P License in California
The FAA issues the mechanic certificate with Airframe and Powerplant ratings, known as the A&P, under federal rules in 14 CFR Part 65, so the path is the same in every state. You qualify by graduating from an FAA-approved school or by documenting at least 30 months of hands-on work for both ratings, then passing three FAA knowledge tests and an oral and practical exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many FAA Part 147 Aircraft Maintenance Schools Are in California?
How Long Is Aviation Maintenance School in California?
How Does Aircraft Mechanic Pay in California Compare to the National Median?
Which California Metro Pays Aircraft Mechanics the Most?
Is the Aircraft Mechanic License a State or Federal Credential?
How Much Does Aviation Maintenance School Cost in California?
Sources
- FAA AV-Info Part 147 school records
- IPEDS via Hapi, CIP 47.0607-47.0609 (all levels) + 49.0104 (bachelor's/master's)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates
- Projections Central, State Occupational Employment Projections 2024-2034
- eCFR 14 CFR Part 65, Subpart D (Mechanics)
- FAA - Become an Aviation Mechanic
- FAA - Experience Requirements to Become an Aircraft Mechanic
All sources retrieved .
How we source and check each listing is explained on our data methodology page.