Diesel mechanic salary in Indiana
Median $29.14 an hour for 8,840 bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists, May 2025, with the union scale by county and the trend since 1999.
Diesel mechanic pay in Indiana: the full range
Indiana ranks 29th of 51 states for median diesel mechanic pay, and 26th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $31.23). 8,840 bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists work in the state.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry | $21.23 – $23.69 | $44,160 – $49,270 | roughly the 10th–25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $23.69 – $34.04 | $49,270 – $70,810 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master / foreman / specialist | $34.04 – $38.33 | $70,810 – $79,730 | the 75th–90th percentile and above |
Where does your pay fall?
Diesel mechanic pay by metro in Indiana
| Metro | 10th | Median $/hr | 90th | Jobs | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $22.03 | $31.58 | $47.44 | 8,660 | 8% above |
| Cincinnati | $22.01 | $30.00 | $38.37 | 2,300 | 3% above |
| Indianapolis | $22.37 | $29.67 | $38.65 | 2,850 | 2% above |
| Louisville | $21.00 | $29.48 | $39.60 | 1,480 | 1% above |
| Fort Wayne | $21.98 | $28.95 | $37.67 | 780 | 1% below |
| Lafayette | $21.25 | $28.94 | $37.37 | 210 | 1% below |
| Elkhart | $22.88 | $28.91 | $37.21 | 430 | 1% below |
| South Bend | $22.21 | $28.81 | $36.95 | 350 | 1% below |
| Michigan City | $22.38 | $28.53 | $36.10 | 110 | 2% below |
| Muncie | $21.10 | $28.13 | $37.96 | 100 | 3% below |
| Evansville | $20.28 | $27.80 | $36.51 | 330 | 5% below |
| Terre Haute | $18.96 | $27.59 | $35.66 | 170 | 5% below |
| Bloomington | $19.93 | $27.44 | $36.27 | 80 | 6% below |
| Kokomo | $20.55 | $27.25 | $38.41 | 60 | 6% below |
| Columbus | $21.21 | $26.67 | $34.99 | 80 | 8% below |
Diesel mechanic wages in Indiana over time
Table
| Year | Indiana $/hr | In 2025 $ | US $/hr | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $14.23 | $27.50 | $14.77 | 8,370 |
| 2000 | $14.97 | $27.99 | $15.55 | 7,180 |
| 2001 | $15.91 | $28.92 | $16.14 | 7,240 |
| 2002 | $16.15 | $28.90 | $16.53 | 6,730 |
| 2003 | $16.65 | $29.13 | $16.81 | 6,810 |
| 2004 | $16.89 | $28.79 | $17.20 | 7,350 |
| 2005 | $17.08 | $28.16 | $17.61 | 7,000 |
| 2006 | $17.45 | $27.87 | $18.11 | 7,860 |
| 2007 | $17.72 | $27.51 | $18.58 | 7,460 |
| 2008 | $17.99 | $26.90 | $18.94 | 7,680 |
| 2009 | $18.34 | $27.52 | $19.35 | 7,160 |
| 2010 | $18.44 | $27.23 | $19.64 | 7,230 |
| 2011 | $18.94 | $27.11 | $20.02 | 7,630 |
| 2012 | $18.82 | $26.39 | $20.35 | 7,720 |
| 2013 | $18.83 | $26.02 | $20.54 | 7,790 |
| 2014 | $18.95 | $25.77 | $20.98 | 7,410 |
| 2015 | $19.64 | $26.68 | $21.40 | 8,180 |
| 2016 | $19.76 | $26.51 | $21.72 | 8,120 |
| 2017 | $20.77 | $27.28 | $22.29 | 8,170 |
| 2018 | $21.18 | $27.15 | $22.76 | 8,230 |
| 2019 | $22.06 | $27.78 | $23.32 | 8,150 |
| 2020 | $22.71 | $28.25 | $24.13 | 8,270 |
| 2021 | $22.79 | $27.08 | $23.41 | 9,670 |
| 2022 | $24.03 | $26.43 | $26.14 | 9,970 |
| 2023 | $27.99 | $29.57 | $28.35 | 9,890 |
| 2024 | $29.35 | $30.12 | $29.15 | 8,730 |
| 2025 | $29.14 | $29.14 | $29.70 | 8,840 |
In today's dollars, the median diesel mechanic wage in Indiana changed by +9.2% over the last ten years of data.
Is construction work growing in Indiana?
Keep comparing
Diesel mechanic pay in neighbouring states
Other trades in Indiana
Questions this page answers
How much do diesel mechanics make in Indiana?
The median diesel mechanic in Indiana earned $29.14 an hour ($60,610 a year) in May 2025, 2% below the national median of $29.70. The middle half earn $23.69–$34.04; the top 10% earn more than $38.33.
Where does Indiana rank for diesel mechanic pay?
Indiana ranks 29th of 51 states for diesel mechanic pay, with a median of $29.14 an hour, and 26th after adjusting for Indiana's cost of living (BEA price parity 93.3, US = 100).
What is the union diesel mechanic rate in Indiana?
Davis-Bacon determinations do not list a diesel mechanic classification for most Indiana counties, or the trade is not covered; the BLS wage figures above are the best available measure.
How many diesel mechanics work in Indiana?
BLS counted 8,840 bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists in Indiana in May 2025, 2.8 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 1.48; 1.0 is the national average concentration).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Indiana and metro areas, SOC 49-3031.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics, state construction employment through 2026-08.
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
- BEA Regional Price Parities (cost-of-living adjustment).
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions as of 2026-09-28. Not the official determination.