How Much Does a Diesel Mechanic Make? (2024)
Automotive · SOC Code 49-3031 · 3-year apprenticeship
The average diesel mechanic earns $64,435 per year ($31/hour) as of 2024, according to BLS data. Yearly income ranges from $56,840 to $80,850 depending on city, with entry-level workers earning about $59,410 and top earners making $105,340+.
Yes — top-decile diesel mechanics clear $100K in 2 of 30 metros
The 90th-percentile diesel mechanic in Seattle, WA earns $105,340 per year ($51/hour). Reaching that tier typically takes journeyman-to-master progression plus union membership, specialization, or running a small contracting business. Median diesel mechanic pay nationally is $64,435 — the $100K mark is the high-earner ceiling, not the middle.
National Salary Range
Diesel Mechanic salaries range from $56,840 to $80,850 median across cities, depending on location, union membership, and experience level.
Diesel Mechanic Salary by City
| City | Median | Range (10th-90th) | COL-Adjusted | Grade | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | $80,850 | $59,410 – $105,340 | $54,262 | C | 3,540 |
| San Francisco, CA | $80,820 | $47,040 – $108,130 | $42,537 | D | 1,780 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $74,490 | $47,770 – $92,910 | $44,873 | D | 6,030 |
| New York, NY | $73,920 | $50,570 – $92,140 | $39,529 | D | 13,240 |
| Boston, MA | $72,290 | $50,920 – $94,290 | $47,559 | D | 2,790 |
| Denver, CO | $71,080 | $50,490 – $99,030 | $55,531 | C | 2,570 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $68,750 | $48,950 – $91,810 | $64,858 | C | 4,150 |
| Portland, OR | $67,430 | $50,080 – $88,540 | $51,869 | D | 2,570 |
| Chicago, IL | $65,240 | $45,700 – $96,420 | $60,972 | C | 7,340 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $64,170 | $47,760 – $93,410 | $61,702 | C | 1,550 |
| Miami, FL | $63,260 | $44,060 – $87,740 | $51,852 | D | 2,830 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $63,090 | $45,200 – $83,180 | $60,663 | C | 1,040 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $63,080 | $47,630 – $86,250 | $54,852 | C | 4,360 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $62,700 | $44,520 – $78,730 | $68,901 | C | 2,840 |
| Kansas City, MO | $62,680 | $46,370 – $82,520 | $66,681 | C | 2,830 |
| Columbus, OH | $62,320 | $46,710 – $78,790 | $67,011 | C | 2,530 |
| St. Louis, MO | $62,110 | $44,020 – $83,950 | $69,011 | C | 2,490 |
| Nashville, TN | $60,840 | $44,900 – $84,910 | $59,068 | C | 2,140 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $60,740 | $44,050 – $81,660 | $63,271 | C | 1,470 |
| Atlanta, GA | $60,730 | $45,110 – $90,750 | $57,292 | C | 6,060 |
| Detroit, MI | $60,550 | $46,230 – $81,720 | $68,034 | C | 3,610 |
| Tampa, FL | $60,380 | $39,820 – $79,450 | $59,782 | C | 1,620 |
| Houston, TX | $60,180 | $40,700 – $89,730 | $62,688 | C | 6,400 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $60,090 | $47,020 – $81,550 | $58,340 | C | 3,870 |
| Dallas, TX | $60,020 | $44,640 – $81,680 | $58,843 | C | 8,990 |
| Raleigh, NC | $58,920 | $40,090 – $91,710 | $58,920 | C | 1,050 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $58,680 | $44,010 – $78,000 | $63,783 | C | 2,240 |
| New Orleans, LA | $58,430 | $43,050 – $85,960 | $61,505 | C | 680 |
| Charlotte, NC | $58,380 | $38,440 – $77,690 | $59,571 | C | 2,760 |
| San Antonio, TX | $56,840 | $38,800 – $78,480 | $63,156 | C | 2,200 |
About Diesel Mechanic Pay
Diesel Mechanics earn a national median salary of $64,435 based on 2024 BLS occupational wage data. The highest-paying city for this trade is Seattle at $80,850 median, while San Antonio offers the lowest at $56,840.
Becoming a diesel mechanic typically requires a 3-year apprenticeship program. Entry-level workers (10th percentile) can expect around $59,410, while master-level tradespeople (90th percentile) earn $105,340 or more. With 5% wage growth over the past 5 years, this trade is growing at a steady pace.
See how this compares to other trades on our highest paying trades ranking, or browse the best cities for trade workers.
Thinking about becoming a diesel mechanic?
Step-by-step path: 3-year apprenticeship, certifications, state licensing, and apprentice-to-master pay timeline.
Related Automotive Trades
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — top-decile diesel mechanics clear $100K in 2 of the 30 metros tracked. The 90th-percentile diesel mechanic in Seattle earns $105,340, well above six figures. Reaching that tier typically takes journeyman-to-master progression, plus union membership, specialization (industrial, commercial, or licensed-master tier), or running a small contracting business.
Diesel Mechanics in Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $60,740 per 2024 BLS OEWS data, with top earners (90th percentile) reaching $81,660. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and whether the role is residential, commercial, or industrial.
Diesel Mechanic work is physically demanding and can be stressful, especially under deadline pressure or in unsafe conditions. Diesel mechanics work in truck shops, fleet maintenance facilities, and heavy equipment yards. Work involves lifting heavy components, exposure to fumes, and occasionally working outdoors. The trade rewards problem-solving, attention to detail, and the ability to work safely with tools and equipment. Most diesel mechanics say the difficulty drops sharply once they finish their apprenticeship and gain field experience.
Diesel Mechanic pay varies by metro. The lowest-paying tracked city for diesel mechanics pays $56,840 median, while the highest-paying pays $80,850 — see the city table above for any specific metro.
The average diesel mechanic salary is $64,435 per year ($31/hour) based on 2024 BLS OEWS data. Average yearly income ranges from $56,840 to $80,850 depending on city, experience, and union status.
Diesel Mechanics earn an average hourly wage of $31/hour based on a 2,080-hour work year. Entry-level (10th percentile) hourly pay is about $29/hour, while top earners (90th percentile) make $51/hour or more.
Seattle offers the highest median pay for diesel mechanics at $80,850. However, cost of living matters, the COL-adjusted pay may tell a different story. Check our city-by-city breakdown above.
With a Trade Pay Score of C and 5% wage growth over 5 years, diesel mechanic offers steady career prospects. There are approximately 107,570 jobs nationwide across 30 metro areas.
Becoming a diesel mechanic typically requires a 3-year apprenticeship program combining on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Entry-level pay starts around $59,410 (10th percentile).
Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024. Trade Pay Scores are a composite of median wage vs. metro income, wage growth, job demand, and COL-adjusted pay.
this entity is one of the data points covered by this site’s U.S. skilled-trade wage data dataset. The detail above comes directly from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey; the context that follows situates the headline numbers against the broader distribution across U.S. trades, cities, and states.
Every number on this page links back to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey; the methodology page describes the inputs, refresh cadence, and known limitations of the underlying data product.
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