Top 10 Tech Apprenticeships, Internships and Entry-Level Jobs in Bakersfield, CA in 2026
By Irene Holden
Last Updated: February 21st 2026
Too Long; Didn't Read
In Bakersfield for 2026, the Microsoft Leap and Google Apprenticeships top the list, offering prestigious remote training and no-degree pathways that pay up to $10,680 monthly and around $45,500 respectively. These programs leverage Bakersfield's cost of living, which is 50% lower than San Francisco, making early salaries stretch further in the region's growing tech landscape.
Before the symphony, there is a single, vibrating note. A musician listens, adjusts, and finds the precise pitch that everything else will build upon. Your tech career in Bakersfield starts the same way. In 2026, the city's tech landscape is a unique orchestra of national giants and local stalwarts, offering structured pathways to tune your skills without the deafening cost of living of coastal hubs.
The advantage is stark: Bakersfield's cost of living is approximately 50% lower than San Francisco's, meaning early salaries stretch much further. This financial breathing room allows you to focus on mastering your craft in a supportive ecosystem. The region's growing investments in renewable energy and logistics technology, alongside major employers like Chevron and Amazon, are creating a surge in demand for tech talent right here.
This isn't about settling; it's about strategic tuning. Bakersfield-area apprenticeship programs report that 75% of participants are hired full-time by year's end, with median starting salaries exceeding $25 per hour, according to local workforce analysis. This positions the region as a launchpad for sustainable careers in fields from software engineering to industrial automation, all within a community where your dollar goes further.
Finding the right pitch for your career doesn't require moving to a coastal tech hub. Here, you can leverage premier programs like the Bakersfield College tech apprenticeship or target high-growth local sectors. With computer and mathematical roles projected to grow by 10.1% nationally - among the fastest-growing fields - the moment to fine-tune your future in Bakersfield's unique harmonic is now.
Table of Contents
- Tune Your Tech Career in Bakersfield
- Microsoft Leap Apprenticeship
- Google Apprenticeship
- Chevron IT & Software Engineering Internship
- County of Kern IT Technician Trainee
- Amazon Mechatronics & Robotics Apprenticeship
- Aera Energy Technical Internship
- Year Up United
- Amazon Career Choice
- Kern Medical Clinical Applications Intern
- Remote Entry-Level Support Analyst
- Begin Your Performance in Bakersfield
- Frequently Asked Questions
Explore this Bakersfield AI career complete guide for tips on education and job market navigation.
Microsoft Leap Apprenticeship
The Microsoft Leap Apprenticeship is a prestigious, immersive bootcamp-style program that places you on real engineering teams. This earn-while-you-learn model provides a direct pipeline into one of the world's leading tech companies, offering an intensive, project-based curriculum over 16 weeks.
During the program, apprentices earn a monthly stipend of $5,460 to $10,680. For a Bakersfield resident, this compensation is transformative, accelerating financial stability far faster than in high-cost coastal cities. The program boasts a strong track record, with over 120 professionals recently transitioning into full-time roles at Microsoft.
Applications are highly competitive with tight windows. For a 2026 start, anticipate applying in late summer 2025, as cohorts typically open just weeks before deadlines. The primary advantage for Kern County residents is its remote-friendly structure, allowing you to learn from a global leader while living in Bakersfield, leveraging the low cost of living to maximize savings and focus.
Google Apprenticeship
Google's apprenticeship program offers a structured, longer-term pathway resulting in a nationally recognized credential, specifically designed for those without a four-year degree. Tracks in Data Analytics, UX Design, and IT combine structured learning with on-the-job experience over 12 to 36 months, providing a comprehensive foundation in high-demand tech disciplines.
Apprentices receive a base salary of $45,500 to $60,500 for the program duration. This premier "no-degree" pathway is ideal for students from Bakersfield College or CSU Bakersfield seeking an alternative to traditional internships, creating a direct pipeline to Silicon Valley-caliber training and mentorship.
Application windows are critical and typically open in early September for a start the following March. As highlighted by recruitment notices, these are paid, full-time opportunities. You must prepare meticulously and apply through the official Google Apprenticeship portal as soon as announcements are made, as these competitive cohorts fill quickly.
Chevron IT & Software Engineering Internship
A Chevron IT & Software Engineering Internship represents a high-impact summer opportunity with one of Bakersfield's largest and most stable employers. Interns work on critical energy technology, including data science and cloud computing projects that support both traditional and emerging energy operations.
The compensation is prorated to an annual rate of $43,000 to $78,000 (approximately $20+ per hour) for the 10-12 week program. This competitive pay, combined with Chevron's strong return offer rates, makes it a coveted local opportunity. The company actively recruits from CSU Bakersfield career fairs, giving local students a distinct advantage.
Application timing is crucial. Peak recruiting occurs from September to November, with deadlines typically closing by December 31st for the following summer. As noted in recruitment announcements, these windows are strict. You must apply via the Chevron University Jobs portal well in advance to secure your spot working on transformative energy tech right in Bakersfield's backyard.
County of Kern IT Technician Trainee
The County of Kern IT Technician Trainee role offers a stable, public-sector career path with clear progression from trainee to senior technical positions. This entry-level position provides hands-on experience in hardware/software support, networking, and system troubleshooting across various county departments, serving the local community directly.
Compensation starts at approximately $3,663 per month ($21.14/hr) during the 12-month probationary period, jumping to $4,378 monthly ($25.26/hr) upon promotion to IT Tech I. This structured advancement leads to Senior Technical Support Specialist roles that can pay up to $5,876 per month, as outlined in the county's job classification bulletins.
You must monitor the Kern County Government Jobs portal for periodic "IT Technician Trainee" postings. This quintessential local opportunity provides recession-resilient job security, pension benefits, and merit-based advancement, perfect for those who value stability while building a career in Bakersfield's essential public infrastructure.
Amazon Mechatronics & Robotics Apprenticeship
The Amazon Mechatronics & Robotics Apprenticeship is a hands-on technical program focused on maintaining the advanced robotics within Amazon's vast logistics network. This earn-while-you-learn pathway combines classroom instruction with 2,000 hours of on-the-job training, teaching you to troubleshoot and sustain the high-tech systems that power local fulfillment centers.
The compensation includes significant pay increases - about 23% after the classroom phase and 26% after on-the-job training. According to Amazon's Upskilling 2025 report, graduates of this program earn an average of $21,500 more annually than those in entry-level warehouse roles, marking a substantial leap into high-skill technical work.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis via the Amazon Jobs portal. For Bakersfield residents, this apprenticeship is a direct ticket from operations roles into essential technical maintenance positions. With massive Amazon facilities in the area, you can build a career at the heart of the region's logistics boom without ever leaving the Central Valley.
Aera Energy Technical Internship
The Aera Energy Technical Internship in Information Systems provides specialized experience supporting both traditional energy operations and emerging energy transition projects. This 10-12 week summer program immerses you in the technology behind one of Bakersfield's major energy employers, offering high-quality local mentorship within the region's evolving energy tech ecosystem.
Compensation is competitive for the local market at $22 to $38 per hour. This internship serves as a primary feeder into high-paying entry-level positions; according to salary data from Indeed, Aera Energy "Specialist" roles in Bakersfield average over $100,000 per year.
Application windows typically open in early fall (September-October) for the following summer. You should monitor company sites and job boards closely, as positions like those listed on platforms tracking Aera Energy opportunities can appear with limited notice. Securing this internship means gaining critical experience at a key node in Bakersfield's energy sector while positioning yourself for lucrative, long-term career opportunities locally.
Year Up United
Year Up United is a one-year intensive program designed to bridge opportunity gaps for young adults, providing a direct pathway into tech fields without requiring a traditional college degree. The program combines six months of professional and technical training in areas like Software Development and IT Support with a subsequent six-month paid corporate internship.
Participants receive an educational stipend during the program. The outcomes are significant: 72% of graduates are employed or enrolled in further education within four months of completion, with graduates securing an average starting salary of ~$53,000. As noted by the American Institutes for Research, this model effectively creates economic mobility.
Cohorts typically start in January and July. You can apply directly through the Year Up United website. For Bakersfield residents, this program is an unparalleled launchpad, offering structured support, real-world experience, and a proven track record for launching sustainable tech careers right here in the Central Valley.
Amazon Career Choice
Amazon Career Choice is a unique employee benefit that offers fully-funded tuition for certificates or degrees in high-demand fields like IT and Cloud Computing. This program allows Amazon employees to upskill while working, creating a direct pipeline from warehouse or logistics roles into specialized technical or corporate positions.
The compensation is substantial: full tuition coverage (up to annual limits) at partner schools like Bakersfield College. Employees become eligible after just 90 days of employment, making this one of the fastest pathways to debt-free education in the region. As highlighted in Amazon's Upskilling 2025 initiative, these programs are designed to help employees build future-ready careers.
Enrollment is managed through the Bakersfield College Amazon Career Choice Program. For Bakersfield, this is the ultimate "build your own runway" opportunity. You can work at a local Amazon facility, earn a relevant tech degree from BC without debt, and transition into a new career - all while leveraging the region's lower cost of living to maximize your financial stability during the transition.
Kern Medical Clinical Applications Intern
The Kern Medical Clinical Applications Internship offers a niche opportunity in the growing health-tech sector, working on data dashboards and electronic health record systems at a major regional hospital. This specialized role places you at the intersection of healthcare and technology, a stable and expanding field within the Central Valley.
Compensation ranges from $16.25 to $21.75 per hour for these summer or semester-based positions. This provides critical, resume-building experience in health informatics, a field with strong local demand. Similar roles in the area, such as those for Medical Information Interns, highlight the consistent need for tech skills in medical settings.
Application opportunities typically arise in the fall for spring or summer placements. Students should seek them through Kern Medical's career page or via CSU Bakersfield's health informatics and career departments. This internship is an excellent way to build specialized experience that sets you apart, providing a foothold in Bakersfield's robust healthcare network, which includes major employers like Kern Health Systems.
Remote Entry-Level Support Analyst
Remote Entry-Level Support Analyst roles offer immediate full-time employment in tech-adjacent positions, often providing hybrid or remote work for local healthcare, administrative, or corporate systems. These positions, such as Tier 1 Support or Junior Analyst, serve as crucial "bridge roles" for career changers, delivering professional experience and a critical foothold in the technical industry.
Compensation typically ranges from $45,000 to $55,000 annually. This immediate income, combined with frequent schedule flexibility, allows you to start building your tech career while living in Bakersfield. These roles are continually available at major local employers; for example, Kern Health Systems and other regional administrative hubs regularly hire for such positions.
To apply, persistently search for "IT Support," "Systems Analyst," or "Application Support" on major job boards, targeting local healthcare networks and corporate offices. These opportunities leverage Bakersfield’s growing medical and administrative sectors, offering a practical way to gain experience and begin climbing the technical ladder without the pressure of relocating to a more expensive metro area.
Begin Your Performance in Bakersfield
The symphony of your tech career awaits its conductor - you. In Bakersfield, the 2026 landscape offers a resonant array of structured apprenticeships that pay you to learn, prestigious internships with global energy leaders, and stable entry-level roles in the vital public sector. Each pathway provides a clear, external standard - a tuning fork of mentorship, salary, and outcome - against which to measure and refine your growing skills.
This strategic start is empowered by the region's unique fundamentals. With a cost of living approximately 50% lower than San Francisco's, your early earnings gain immediate leverage. You are tuning your abilities within an ecosystem where major investments in logistics and energy transition, from companies like Amazon and Aera, are driving demand. Nationally, computer and mathematical roles are projected to grow by 10.1%, making your timing impeccable.
Remember, while technical prowess is crucial, professional analysis suggests that 85% of job success in these entry-level roles stems from well-developed soft skills and collaborative spirit. Programs like CodePath emphasize that career support and networking are what help diverse candidates secure offers. Whether you're aligning with the high-frequency pitch of a Microsoft project or the steady, reliable tone of Kern County's IT infrastructure, your first note starts here.
Listen closely to the opportunities around you. Apply strategically to the programs that match your resonance. Then, step forward and begin your performance. In Bakersfield, you don't need to move to a coastal hub to find your harmonic fit - you can build a thriving tech career right where you are, contributing to the unique and growing rhythm of the Central Valley.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which tech apprenticeship in Bakersfield is best for someone without a college degree?
The Google Apprenticeship in Data Analytics, UX, or IT is a premier 'no-degree' pathway, offering a base salary of $45,500-$60,500 and a nationally recognized credential over 12-36 months. It's ideal for local students from Bakersfield College or CSU Bakersfield seeking Silicon Valley-caliber training without relocating.
How do salaries for entry-level tech jobs in Bakersfield compare to the Bay Area or Los Angeles?
While salaries might be slightly lower, Bakersfield's cost of living is approximately 50% cheaper than San Francisco's, making roles like IT Technician Trainee at $3,663 per month stretch further. For example, Chevron interns earn $20+ per hour, which is competitive locally and allows for better savings in this affordable metro area.
When should I apply for these 2026 tech apprenticeships and internships?
Applications typically open in fall 2025; for instance, Microsoft Leap accepts applications in August-September 2025, and Chevron internships close by December 31, 2025. Start monitoring portals like Google's or Kern County's job sites early to catch tight windows for programs like Aera Energy's summer internships.
Are there remote or hybrid tech opportunities available in Bakersfield?
Yes, programs like the Microsoft Leap Apprenticeship are fully remote, letting you train with a global leader while living in Bakersfield to leverage the low cost of living. Additionally, entry-level support analyst roles at local employers like Kern Health Systems often offer hybrid or remote work, providing flexibility to start your tech career immediately.
Why is Bakersfield seeing a rise in tech apprenticeships and entry-level jobs?
Bakersfield's tech growth is fueled by investments from major employers like Chevron, Amazon, and Aera Energy in energy and logistics technology, plus stable public-sector roles with Kern County. The region's lower cost of living attracts talent, and programs like Year Up United help bridge opportunity gaps for local residents without traditional college paths.
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Irene Holden
Operations Manager
Former Microsoft Education and Learning Futures Group team member, Irene now oversees instructors at Nucamp while writing about everything tech - from careers to coding bootcamps.