Median pay
$61,770 a year
Top 10% earn
$88,740+
Openings per year
About 24,400
Entry education
High school + training
I started out as an Army diesel mechanic, taught diesel and heavy equipment technology for five years, and now oversee trades programs as a college dean. When a high school student asks me whether diesel is worth it, here are the five reasons I give them.
1. You get a leg up in a field with real upside
From the dean’s desk
It gives you a leg up in a field that really has a lot of upside. I don’t think anything is going to replace the over-the-road trucking industry and its diesel trucks. Automation will get bigger, but the trucks will still be diesel.
— Lester Burkes, Dean of Automotive & Trades
The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects freight growth to keep diesel trucks in demand wherever trains and pipelines aren’t practical, and older trucks need more maintenance as they age.
2. The work is more fun than people expect
From the dean’s desk
It’s really fun. You often get a chance to leave the shop, and depending on the field of diesel, sometimes you get to travel.
— Lester Burkes, Dean of Automotive & Trades
Road calls, field service on construction sites, and work on ships, generators or farm equipment mean a diesel tech isn’t always stuck under the same lights all day. If you like solving a different problem every day, this is a good fit.
3. The pay is solid, and it climbs with skill
Diesel service technicians and mechanics earned a national median of $61,770 in May 2025. The top 10% earned more than $88,740. Where you work matters: technicians in local government earned a median of $71,460, the highest of the major industries for the occupation.
4. There are steady openings every year
BLS projects about 24,400 openings for diesel technicians each year through 2035, many of them created as experienced techs retire or change careers. That means shops are hiring new people all the time, not just when the industry grows.
5. Your skills travel across industries
Trucking companies employ the most diesel techs, but wholesalers, local governments, repair shops and equipment rental companies are big employers too. The same core skills carry over to heavy equipment, marine, rail, farm equipment and power generation. See Top 10 Diesel Technology Careers for where they can take you.
How to get started
1
Take the right classes in high school
Auto shop, electronics, math and welding all help. Finish your diploma or GED.
2
Enroll in a diesel program
Community and technical colleges offer certificates and associate degrees that mix classroom and shop time. BLS notes employers may prefer candidates with this training.
3
Get your foot in the door
Many techs start doing maintenance, cleaning parts and moving trucks in and out of the shop, then move up to diagnostics as they prove themselves.
4
Keep learning
Add a Class A CDL so you can road-test trucks, and earn ASE and manufacturer certifications as you go.
Frequently asked questions
How much do diesel technicians make?
The national median was $61,770 in May 2025. The lowest 10% earned less than $44,530 and the highest 10% earned more than $88,740.
Is diesel mechanic a good career for the future?
Yes. BLS projects about 24,400 openings a year through 2035, and diesel trucks remain the backbone of freight in the U.S.
Do you need college to be a diesel mechanic?
No. Most employers require a high school diploma, but a certificate or associate degree in diesel technology can help you get hired and move up faster.
Sources
Related: Top 10 Diesel Technology Careers · Diesel Mechanic in Washington · How to Get Your CDL in Washington
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