Diesel mechanic salary in North Dakota
Median $31.78 an hour for 1,790 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 North Dakota: the full range
North Dakota ranks 15th of 51 states for median diesel mechanic pay, and 1st once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $35.71). 1,790 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 | $22.49 – $27.92 | $46,790 – $58,080 | roughly the 10th–25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $27.92 – $38.99 | $58,080 – $81,100 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master / foreman / specialist | $38.99 – $44.00 | $81,100 – $91,520 | the 75th–90th percentile and above |
Where does your pay fall?
Diesel mechanic pay by metro in North Dakota
| Metro | 10th | Median $/hr | 90th | Jobs | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minot | $24.77 | $35.00 | $44.04 | 160 | 10% above |
| Fargo | $23.38 | $30.95 | $43.12 | 500 | 3% below |
| Grand Forks | $22.17 | $30.88 | $39.87 | 170 | 3% below |
| Bismarck | $22.95 | $30.74 | $47.43 | 230 | 3% below |
Diesel mechanic wages in North Dakota over time
Table
| Year | North Dakota $/hr | In 2025 $ | US $/hr | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $13.23 | $25.57 | $14.77 | 1,020 |
| 2000 | $13.72 | $25.65 | $15.55 | 1,140 |
| 2001 | $13.78 | $25.05 | $16.14 | 1,000 |
| 2002 | $14.16 | $25.34 | $16.53 | 820 |
| 2003 | $14.80 | $25.90 | $16.81 | 810 |
| 2004 | $15.57 | $26.54 | $17.20 | 920 |
| 2005 | $15.78 | $26.01 | $17.61 | 930 |
| 2006 | $16.67 | $26.62 | $18.11 | 980 |
| 2007 | $16.91 | $26.26 | $18.58 | 1,080 |
| 2008 | $17.82 | $26.65 | $18.94 | 1,160 |
| 2009 | $17.99 | $27.00 | $19.35 | 1,270 |
| 2010 | $19.19 | $28.33 | $19.64 | 1,250 |
| 2011 | $20.29 | $29.04 | $20.02 | 1,370 |
| 2012 | $20.81 | $29.18 | $20.35 | 1,890 |
| 2013 | $22.14 | $30.60 | $20.54 | 2,110 |
| 2014 | $23.46 | $31.90 | $20.98 | 2,430 |
| 2015 | $24.72 | $33.58 | $21.40 | 2,280 |
| 2016 | $24.38 | $32.70 | $21.72 | 1,850 |
| 2017 | $24.39 | $32.03 | $22.29 | 1,460 |
| 2018 | $25.19 | $32.30 | $22.76 | 1,360 |
| 2019 | $26.47 | $33.33 | $23.32 | 1,530 |
| 2020 | $27.40 | $34.08 | $24.13 | 1,480 |
| 2021 | $28.73 | $34.13 | $23.41 | 1,320 |
| 2022 | $29.53 | $32.49 | $26.14 | 1,210 |
| 2023 | $30.32 | $32.04 | $28.35 | 1,320 |
| 2024 | $30.50 | $31.30 | $29.15 | 1,540 |
| 2025 | $31.78 | $31.78 | $29.70 | 1,790 |
In today's dollars, the median diesel mechanic wage in North Dakota changed by -5.4% over the last ten years of data.
Is construction work growing in North Dakota?
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Diesel mechanic pay in neighbouring states
Other trades in North Dakota
Questions this page answers
How much do diesel mechanics make in North Dakota?
The median diesel mechanic in North Dakota earned $31.78 an hour ($66,110 a year) in May 2025, 7% above the national median of $29.70. The middle half earn $27.92–$38.99; the top 10% earn more than $44.00.
Where does North Dakota rank for diesel mechanic pay?
North Dakota ranks 15th of 51 states for diesel mechanic pay, with a median of $31.78 an hour, and 1st after adjusting for North Dakota's cost of living (BEA price parity 89.0, US = 100).
What is the union diesel mechanic rate in North Dakota?
Davis-Bacon determinations do not list a diesel mechanic classification for most North Dakota counties, or the trade is not covered; the BLS wage figures above are the best available measure.
How many diesel mechanics work in North Dakota?
BLS counted 1,790 bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists in North Dakota in May 2025, 4.2 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 2.23; 1.0 is the national average concentration).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, North Dakota 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.