Diesel mechanic salary: what diesel mechanics actually make
Diesel mechanics earned a median $29.70 an hour ($61,770 a year) in May 2025, across 289,960 jobs in the BLS employer survey. Pay by state and metro, the 20-year trend, and the union scale contractors must pay on federal work.
How much do diesel mechanics make?
The median diesel mechanic earned $29.70 an hour, or $61,770 a year, in May 2025 according to the BLS employer survey of 289,960 jobs. Half earn more and half earn less; the middle 50% earn between $24.30 and $36.29 an hour.
The middle half of diesel mechanics earn between $24.30 and $36.29 an hour. The top 10% earn more than $42.66 ($88,740 a year); the bottom 10% earn less than $21.41. The top 10% earn 2.0× what the bottom 10% earn.
Apprentice, journeyman and master diesel mechanic pay
Pay tracks licence and experience: an apprentice or entry-level diesel mechanic earns near the bottom of the range, a journeyman around the median, and a master diesel mechanic, foreman or specialist in the top quarter.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry level | $21.41 – $24.30 | $44,530 – $50,540 | roughly the 10th to 25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $24.30 – $36.29 | $50,540 – $75,470 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master, foreman or specialist | $36.29 – $42.66 | $75,470 – $88,740 | the 75th to 90th percentile and above |
Career-stage bands are an approximate reading of the wage distribution, not a BLS classification or licence requirement.
Diesel mechanic pay by state
Table
| State | Median $/hr | vs US |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $38.50 | 30% above |
| Washington | $37.45 | 26% above |
| Alaska | $36.34 | 22% above |
| Maryland | $35.96 | 21% above |
| California | $35.55 | 20% above |
| Massachusetts | $35.23 | 19% above |
| New Jersey | $34.78 | 17% above |
| New Hampshire | $34.32 | 16% above |
| Colorado | $33.89 | 14% above |
| New York | $33.70 | 13% above |
| Nevada | $32.89 | 11% above |
| Connecticut | $32.36 | 9% above |
| Rhode Island | $32.34 | 9% above |
| Minnesota | $32.14 | 8% above |
| North Dakota | $31.78 | 7% above |
| District of Columbia | $31.34 | 6% above |
| Utah | $30.94 | 4% above |
| Illinois | $30.93 | 4% above |
| Oregon | $30.76 | 4% above |
| Delaware | $30.57 | 3% above |
| Wisconsin | $30.02 | 1% above |
| Pennsylvania | $29.68 | about the same as |
| Arizona | $29.65 | about the same as |
| Wyoming | $29.61 | about the same as |
| Michigan | $29.53 | 1% below |
| Georgia | $29.50 | 1% below |
| Virginia | $29.37 | 1% below |
| Maine | $29.26 | 1% below |
| Indiana | $29.14 | 2% below |
| Florida | $29.08 | 2% below |
| Ohio | $29.07 | 2% below |
| Montana | $28.84 | 3% below |
| Iowa | $28.69 | 3% below |
| Kansas | $28.59 | 4% below |
| Vermont | $28.55 | 4% below |
| Missouri | $28.54 | 4% below |
| South Carolina | $28.53 | 4% below |
| Idaho | $28.48 | 4% below |
| Tennessee | $28.46 | 4% below |
| Nebraska | $28.44 | 4% below |
| Texas | $28.27 | 5% below |
| Louisiana | $28.21 | 5% below |
| South Dakota | $27.94 | 6% below |
| North Carolina | $27.64 | 7% below |
| New Mexico | $26.88 | 9% below |
| Kentucky | $26.67 | 10% below |
| Oklahoma | $26.61 | 10% below |
| Mississippi | $26.14 | 12% below |
| Arkansas | $25.16 | 15% below |
| Alabama | $24.26 | 18% below |
| West Virginia | $22.41 | 25% below |
| State | Median $/hr | Cost-of-living adjusted | Adjusted rank | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $38.50 | $35.00 | #3 | 690 |
| Washington | $37.45 | $35.00 | #4 | 7,410 |
| Alaska | $36.34 | $35.49 | #2 | 860 |
| Maryland | $35.96 | $34.25 | #5 | 3,030 |
| California | $35.55 | $32.11 | #12 | 20,940 |
| Massachusetts | $35.23 | $33.30 | #6 | 4,870 |
| New Jersey | $34.78 | $31.97 | #14 | 8,160 |
| New Hampshire | $34.32 | $32.94 | #7 | 1,040 |
| Colorado | $33.89 | $32.87 | #9 | 4,600 |
| New York | $33.70 | $31.23 | #25 | 13,230 |
| Nevada | $32.89 | $32.89 | #8 | 1,990 |
| Connecticut | $32.36 | $31.24 | #24 | 2,860 |
| Rhode Island | $32.34 | $31.61 | #18 | 350 |
| Minnesota | $32.14 | $32.60 | #11 | 7,300 |
| North Dakota | $31.78 | $35.71 | #1 | 1,790 |
| District of Columbia | $31.34 | $28.52 | #48 | 110 |
| Utah | $30.94 | $31.28 | #23 | 2,690 |
| Illinois | $30.93 | $30.93 | #28 | 11,320 |
| Oregon | $30.76 | $29.75 | #39 | 3,770 |
| Delaware | $30.57 | $30.63 | #31 | 670 |
| Wisconsin | $30.02 | $31.90 | #16 | 6,750 |
| Pennsylvania | $29.68 | $30.41 | #34 | 12,630 |
| Arizona | $29.65 | $29.44 | #41 | 5,140 |
| Wyoming | $29.61 | $31.94 | #15 | 1,100 |
| Michigan | $29.53 | $30.70 | #29 | 9,020 |
| Georgia | $29.50 | $30.63 | #30 | 10,910 |
| Virginia | $29.37 | $29.05 | #46 | 8,070 |
| Maine | $29.26 | $30.16 | #36 | 1,380 |
| Indiana | $29.14 | $31.23 | #26 | 8,840 |
| Florida | $29.08 | $28.12 | #49 | 14,900 |
| Ohio | $29.07 | $31.33 | #22 | 14,240 |
| Montana | $28.84 | $30.49 | #32 | 1,230 |
| Iowa | $28.69 | $32.68 | #10 | 4,140 |
| Kansas | $28.59 | $31.73 | #17 | 3,300 |
| Vermont | $28.55 | $29.13 | #44 | 550 |
| Missouri | $28.54 | $31.43 | #21 | 6,780 |
| South Carolina | $28.53 | $30.45 | #33 | 3,360 |
| Idaho | $28.48 | $29.82 | #38 | 1,930 |
| Tennessee | $28.46 | $30.97 | #27 | 5,720 |
| Nebraska | $28.44 | $31.56 | #19 | 2,720 |
| Texas | $28.27 | $29.11 | #45 | 29,870 |
| Louisiana | $28.21 | $31.98 | #13 | 3,270 |
| South Dakota | $27.94 | $31.53 | #20 | 1,340 |
| North Carolina | $27.64 | $29.31 | #42 | 11,070 |
| New Mexico | $26.88 | $29.15 | #43 | 1,740 |
| Kentucky | $26.67 | $29.57 | #40 | 3,890 |
| Oklahoma | $26.61 | $30.31 | #35 | 3,970 |
| Mississippi | $26.14 | $30.05 | #37 | 3,140 |
| Arkansas | $25.16 | $28.95 | #47 | 4,090 |
| Alabama | $24.26 | $27.32 | #50 | 6,130 |
| West Virginia | $22.41 | $25.04 | #51 | 1,040 |
Diesel mechanic wages over time
Table
| Year | Nominal $/hr | In 2025 $ | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $14.77 | $28.54 | 273,320 |
| 2000 | $15.55 | $29.07 | 258,800 |
| 2001 | $16.14 | $29.34 | 254,420 |
| 2002 | $16.53 | $29.58 | 254,470 |
| 2003 | $16.81 | $29.41 | 248,450 |
| 2004 | $17.20 | $29.31 | 251,430 |
| 2005 | $17.61 | $29.03 | 248,280 |
| 2006 | $18.11 | $28.92 | 254,850 |
| 2007 | $18.58 | $28.85 | 250,370 |
| 2008 | $18.94 | $28.32 | 248,620 |
| 2009 | $19.35 | $29.04 | 232,810 |
| 2010 | $19.64 | $29.00 | 222,770 |
| 2011 | $20.02 | $28.65 | 222,940 |
| 2012 | $20.35 | $28.54 | 230,030 |
| 2013 | $20.54 | $28.39 | 238,150 |
| 2014 | $20.98 | $28.53 | 243,080 |
| 2015 | $21.40 | $29.07 | 251,750 |
| 2016 | $21.72 | $29.13 | 254,280 |
| 2017 | $22.29 | $29.28 | 260,380 |
| 2018 | $22.76 | $29.18 | 264,860 |
| 2019 | $23.32 | $29.37 | 266,330 |
| 2020 | $24.13 | $30.02 | 253,010 |
| 2021 | $23.41 | $27.81 | 261,420 |
| 2022 | $26.14 | $28.76 | 271,720 |
| 2023 | $28.35 | $29.95 | 285,030 |
| 2024 | $29.15 | $29.92 | 287,230 |
| 2025 | $29.70 | $29.70 | 289,960 |
Adjusted for inflation, the median diesel mechanic wage changed by +2.2% over the last ten years and by +1.1% since 2019.
Are there more diesel mechanic jobs than there used to be?
The BLS employer survey counted 289,960 diesel mechanics in May 2025, +15.2% compared with 251,750 ten years earlier and +8.9% since 2019.
Table
| Year | Jobs |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 273,320 |
| 2000 | 258,800 |
| 2001 | 254,420 |
| 2002 | 254,470 |
| 2003 | 248,450 |
| 2004 | 251,430 |
| 2005 | 248,280 |
| 2006 | 254,850 |
| 2007 | 250,370 |
| 2008 | 248,620 |
| 2009 | 232,810 |
| 2010 | 222,770 |
| 2011 | 222,940 |
| 2012 | 230,030 |
| 2013 | 238,150 |
| 2014 | 243,080 |
| 2015 | 251,750 |
| 2016 | 254,280 |
| 2017 | 260,380 |
| 2018 | 264,860 |
| 2019 | 266,330 |
| 2020 | 253,010 |
| 2021 | 261,420 |
| 2022 | 271,720 |
| 2023 | 285,030 |
| 2024 | 287,230 |
| 2025 | 289,960 |
Of the 29 states with a precise enough estimate to compare, 24 counted more diesel mechanics in 2025 than ten years earlier. The fastest growth was in Georgia (+66.3%, 6,560 to 10,910); the weakest was Maryland (-32.7%).
| State | Jobs in 2015 | Jobs in 2025 | Change over 10 years | Since 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 6,560 | 10,910 | +66.3% | +41.1% |
| North Carolina | 7,240 | 11,070 | +52.9% | +31.0% |
| Alabama | 4,150 | 6,130 | +47.7% | +28.0% |
| Washington | 5,210 | 7,410 | +42.2% | +12.8% |
| Florida | 10,490 | 14,900 | +42.0% | +18.4% |
| Michigan | 6,690 | 9,020 | +34.8% | +0.7% |
| Arkansas | 3,080 | 4,090 | +32.8% | +11.4% |
| Minnesota | 5,510 | 7,300 | +32.5% | +2.8% |
| Illinois | 8,880 | 11,320 | +27.5% | -0.9% |
| Oklahoma | 3,140 | 3,970 | +26.4% | +1.5% |
| Missouri | 5,380 | 6,780 | +26.0% | +11.0% |
| Virginia | 6,440 | 8,070 | +25.3% | +14.1% |
| Ohio | 11,770 | 14,240 | +21.0% | +52.6% |
| Massachusetts | 4,060 | 4,870 | +20.0% | +1.7% |
| Texas | 25,330 | 29,870 | +17.9% | +13.0% |
| Wisconsin | 6,050 | 6,750 | +11.6% | +11.2% |
| Oregon | 3,440 | 3,770 | +9.6% | +2.7% |
| Indiana | 8,180 | 8,840 | +8.1% | +8.5% |
| Iowa | 3,850 | 4,140 | +7.5% | +1.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 11,880 | 12,630 | +6.3% | -4.0% |
| Colorado | 4,330 | 4,600 | +6.2% | -1.5% |
| New Jersey | 7,830 | 8,160 | +4.2% | +0.5% |
| California | 20,490 | 20,940 | +2.2% | -6.2% |
| Arizona | 5,060 | 5,140 | +1.6% | +33.5% |
| New York | 13,300 | 13,230 | -0.5% | +0.6% |
| South Carolina | 3,590 | 3,360 | -6.4% | +2.4% |
| Kentucky | 4,330 | 3,890 | -10.2% | +5.1% |
| Tennessee | 6,390 | 5,720 | -10.5% | -0.9% |
| Maryland | 4,500 | 3,030 | -32.7% | -31.9% |
Job counts are BLS OEWS survey estimates built from three years of samples, so moves of a few percent from one year to the next are within the survey's margin. Self-employed tradespeople are not counted. Areas with fewer than 3,000 jobs or a large sampling error are shown as a single figure rather than a trend.
Where the diesel mechanic jobs are
North Dakota has the highest concentration of diesel mechanics, 2.2× the national share, followed by Wyoming (2.1×) and Arkansas (1.7×). The lowest is District of Columbia at 0.1×. Concentration says where the trade is a large part of the local economy; the job count says where the most positions are.
| State | Jobs | Jobs per 1,000 | Concentration |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 1,790 | 4.2 | 2.2× |
| Wyoming | 1,100 | 3.9 | 2.1× |
| Arkansas | 4,090 | 3.1 | 1.7× |
| South Dakota | 1,340 | 2.9 | 1.6× |
| Alabama | 6,130 | 2.9 | 1.6× |
| Indiana | 8,840 | 2.8 | 1.5× |
| Mississippi | 3,140 | 2.7 | 1.4× |
| Nebraska | 2,720 | 2.7 | 1.4× |
| Iowa | 4,140 | 2.7 | 1.4× |
| Alaska | 860 | 2.6 | 1.4× |
| Ohio | 14,240 | 2.6 | 1.4× |
| Minnesota | 7,300 | 2.5 | 1.3× |
| Montana | 1,230 | 2.4 | 1.3× |
| Oklahoma | 3,970 | 2.3 | 1.2× |
| Missouri | 6,780 | 2.3 | 1.2× |
| Kansas | 3,300 | 2.3 | 1.2× |
| Wisconsin | 6,750 | 2.3 | 1.2× |
| Idaho | 1,930 | 2.2 | 1.2× |
| Georgia | 10,910 | 2.2 | 1.2× |
| North Carolina | 11,070 | 2.2 | 1.2× |
| Maine | 1,380 | 2.1 | 1.1× |
| Texas | 29,870 | 2.1 | 1.1× |
| Pennsylvania | 12,630 | 2.1 | 1.1× |
| Washington | 7,410 | 2.1 | 1.1× |
| Michigan | 9,020 | 2.0 | 1.1× |
| New Mexico | 1,740 | 2.0 | 1.1× |
| Virginia | 8,070 | 2.0 | 1.1× |
| Kentucky | 3,890 | 1.9 | 1.0× |
| Oregon | 3,770 | 1.9 | 1.0× |
| New Jersey | 8,160 | 1.9 | 1.0× |
| Illinois | 11,320 | 1.9 | 1.0× |
| Vermont | 550 | 1.8 | 1.0× |
| Tennessee | 5,720 | 1.8 | 0.9× |
| Louisiana | 3,270 | 1.7 | 0.9× |
| Connecticut | 2,860 | 1.7 | 0.9× |
| Colorado | 4,600 | 1.6 | 0.9× |
| Arizona | 5,140 | 1.6 | 0.8× |
| Utah | 2,690 | 1.6 | 0.8× |
| New Hampshire | 1,040 | 1.5 | 0.8× |
| Florida | 14,900 | 1.5 | 0.8× |
| West Virginia | 1,040 | 1.5 | 0.8× |
| South Carolina | 3,360 | 1.5 | 0.8× |
| Delaware | 670 | 1.4 | 0.7× |
| New York | 13,230 | 1.4 | 0.7× |
| Massachusetts | 4,870 | 1.3 | 0.7× |
| Nevada | 1,990 | 1.3 | 0.7× |
| California | 20,940 | 1.1 | 0.6× |
| Hawaii | 690 | 1.1 | 0.6× |
| Maryland | 3,030 | 1.1 | 0.6× |
| Rhode Island | 350 | 0.7 | 0.4× |
| District of Columbia | 110 | 0.2 | 0.1× |
Metros with the most diesel mechanic jobs
| Metro | Jobs | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 12,430 | $36.43 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 8,660 | $31.58 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 7,940 | $29.04 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 7,410 | $29.22 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 6,520 | $37.20 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 5,940 | $29.94 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 4,490 | $31.04 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 4,290 | $35.45 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 4,240 | $29.49 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 3,820 | $30.46 |
Highest-paying metros for diesel mechanics
| Metro | Median $/hr | Cost-of-living adjusted | Adjusted rank | 90th pct | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $42.78 | $38.75 | #1 | $54.54 | 720 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $40.89 | $36.84 | #2 | $47.98 | 540 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39.58 | $35.63 | #4 | $55.56 | 3,740 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $39.47 | $34.14 | #6 | $50.74 | 1,730 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $37.20 | $32.75 | #16 | $46.04 | 6,520 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $36.43 | $33.64 | #11 | $49.93 | 3,110 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $36.43 | $32.35 | #21 | $45.35 | 12,430 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $36.09 | $32.25 | #23 | $45.92 | 1,430 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $35.80 | $34.26 | #5 | $44.00 | 1,670 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $35.45 | $33.83 | #9 | $45.25 | 4,290 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $35.00 | $33.08 | #12 | $47.18 | 2,770 |
| Savannah, GA | $34.99 | $36.75 | #3 | $40.99 | 1,260 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $34.93 | $32.74 | #17 | $45.39 | 1,190 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $34.89 | $32.04 | #29 | $46.66 | 2,910 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $34.61 | $32.84 | #14 | $43.61 | 2,330 |
Metros with at least 500 diesel mechanics. Cost-of-living adjustment divides the median by the BEA regional price parity for the metro (2024, US = 100); the adjusted rank is among the 102 metros with a parity.
Job outlook
The BLS Employment Projections program expects the number of diesel mechanics to change by +3.6% over 2025-35, from 316,000 to 327,400, with about 24,400 openings a year.
Of those openings, 1,100 a year come from growth in the number of jobs and 23,300 from replacement: 9,700 for people who retire or leave the workforce and 13,600 for people who move to another occupation.
Demand change - share decreases as courier and delivery service providers upgrade their delivery truck fleets to electric trucks, which require less maintenance and repair services.
BLS worker characteristics, 2025-35: typical education for entry: high school diploma or equivalent; related work experience: none; on-the-job training: long-term on-the-job training. The Occupational Outlook Handbook entry describes the work.
What each state projects
State labor market agencies publish their own projections on a 2024–2034 cycle. Arizona projects the fastest growth for diesel mechanics at +12.1%; by openings, Texas (2,990 a year), California (2,040 a year), New York (1,440 a year) lead. 50 states publish a figure for this occupation.
| State | Jobs, 2024 | Projected, 2034 | Change | Openings per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 6,300 | 7,060 | +12.1% | 610 |
| Texas | 31,130 | 34,790 | +11.8% | 2,990 |
| Georgia | 12,500 | 13,840 | +10.8% | 1,180 |
| Nevada | 1,980 | 2,180 | +10.4% | 190 |
| Colorado | 4,850 | 5,350 | +10.3% | 480 |
| Florida | 13,680 | 14,980 | +9.5% | 1,270 |
| Idaho | 2,020 | 2,210 | +9.1% | 190 |
| Tennessee | 7,060 | 7,710 | +9.1% | 650 |
| South Dakota | 1,170 | 1,270 | +8.4% | 110 |
| Wyoming | 1,090 | 1,180 | +8.3% | 100 |
| South Carolina | 3,500 | 3,790 | +8.2% | 320 |
| Rhode Island | 450 | 480 | +7.5% | 40 |
| Utah | 3,160 | 3,400 | +7.4% | 280 |
| Iowa | 4,460 | 4,780 | +7.2% | 400 |
| Arkansas | 5,330 | 5,680 | +6.4% | 470 |
| North Dakota | 1,650 | 1,740 | +5.9% | 140 |
| Connecticut | 2,930 | 3,090 | +5.7% | 260 |
| Alabama | 6,360 | 6,710 | +5.5% | 560 |
| Nebraska | 3,830 | 4,040 | +5.4% | 340 |
| New Mexico | 1,830 | 1,930 | +5.4% | 160 |
| Washington | 8,160 | 8,580 | +5.2% | 750 |
| California | 23,500 | 24,700 | +5.1% | 2,040 |
| Delaware | 700 | 740 | +5.1% | 60 |
| Massachusetts | 5,100 | 5,360 | +5.1% | 440 |
| Oregon | 4,830 | 5,060 | +4.9% | 420 |
| New Hampshire | 930 | 980 | +4.8% | 80 |
| Mississippi | 3,310 | 3,470 | +4.7% | 290 |
| Maryland | 3,340 | 3,460 | +3.8% | 280 |
| Montana | 1,220 | 1,270 | +3.8% | 100 |
| Virginia | 9,730 | 10,070 | +3.5% | 850 |
| Missouri | 7,000 | 7,230 | +3.3% | 590 |
| Pennsylvania | 14,020 | 14,480 | +3.3% | 1,180 |
| Indiana | 9,200 | 9,490 | +3.1% | 770 |
| North Carolina | 11,270 | 11,620 | +3.1% | 950 |
| Oklahoma | 3,810 | 3,930 | +3.1% | 320 |
| Illinois | 10,410 | 10,700 | +2.8% | 870 |
| West Virginia | 1,120 | 1,150 | +2.7% | 90 |
| Wisconsin | 7,820 | 8,020 | +2.6% | 650 |
| Kentucky | 4,190 | 4,300 | +2.5% | 350 |
| Minnesota | 7,440 | 7,600 | +2.2% | 620 |
| New Jersey | 9,150 | 9,350 | +2.2% | 760 |
| Kansas | 4,080 | 4,160 | +2.0% | 340 |
| Hawaii | 770 | 790 | +1.9% | 60 |
| Michigan | 8,710 | 8,880 | +1.9% | 720 |
| Louisiana | 3,260 | 3,320 | +1.8% | 270 |
| New York | 17,640 | 17,900 | +1.5% | 1,440 |
| Ohio | 15,290 | 15,470 | +1.2% | 1,240 |
| Vermont | 630 | 630 | +0.2% | 50 |
| Maine | 1,810 | 1,780 | -1.7% | 140 |
| Alaska | 750 | 740 | -2.0% | 60 |
Source: state labor market information agencies via Projections Central, 2024–2034 projections. State base counts include the self-employed, so they run higher than the BLS survey count above.
Compare diesel mechanic pay with other trades
Questions this page answers
How much do diesel mechanics make an hour?
Hourly pay runs from about $21.41 at the 10th percentile to $42.66 at the 90th, with a median of $29.70. Overtime, per-diem and union fringe benefits are not included in these figures.
What does a starting or apprentice diesel mechanic make?
Entry-level pay sits near the bottom of the distribution: roughly $21.41 to $24.30 an hour ($44,530 to $50,540 a year). Registered apprentices usually start at a fixed percentage of the local journeyman rate and step up every six to twelve months.
Which state pays diesel mechanics the most?
Hawaii had the highest median at $38.50 an hour in May 2025, followed by Washington ($37.45) and Alaska ($36.34). Adjusted for cost of living the order changes; see the state table.
Are diesel mechanic wages going up?
In today's dollars the median diesel mechanic wage changed by +2.2% over the last ten years of data (CPI-adjusted). The nominal median rose from $21.40 to $29.70.
Is diesel mechanic a good career?
By the numbers: median pay of $61,770 a year, a 90th percentile of $88,740, projected growth of +3.6% and about 24,400 openings a year. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself; this site only reports the pay and demand data.
Are diesel mechanic jobs growing?
The BLS employer survey counted 289,960 diesel mechanics in May 2025, +15.2% compared with ten years earlier and +8.9% since 2019. Looking ahead, BLS projects +3.6% growth over 2025-35 with about 24,400 openings a year, most of them replacing people who leave the occupation.
Which states will need the most diesel mechanics?
By projected annual openings, the state agencies' figures put Texas (2,990 a year, +11.8% growth), California (2,040 a year, +5.1% growth), New York (1,440 a year, +1.5% growth) at the top. Every state's projection is in the outlook table above.
Where are diesel mechanics most concentrated?
Relative to the size of each state's workforce, North Dakota has the highest concentration at 2.2× the national share, then Wyoming (2.1×) and Arkansas (1.7×). The largest absolute job counts are usually in the most populous states; see the map above.
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, SOC 49-3031 (Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists). Wages exclude overtime and benefits; job counts are survey estimates and exclude the self-employed.
- Inflation adjustment: BLS CPI-U annual averages, 2025 base.
- Cost-of-living adjustment: BEA Regional Price Parities, all items, 2024.
- Prevailing wage: SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions. Not the official determination.
- BLS Employment Projections, national, 2025-35 (Tables 1.2, 1.10 and 1.12). Public-domain data; Skilled Wages is not affiliated with BLS.
- State projections: state labor market information agencies via Projections Central (Projections Managing Partnership), 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05. State figures include the self-employed.