Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship
Diesel mechanics service the engines that power commercial trucks, buses, construction equipment, and farm machinery. The work ranges from routine fleet maintenance to diagnosing electronic engine faults on rigs that can't sit idle long.
National Wage Spread
Annual wages for Diesel Mechanics across all experience levels, nationwide.
Diesel Mechanic Wages by State
Median annual wage for Diesel Mechanics by state, sorted highest to lowest. Click any state to see registered sponsors and local programs.
| State | Median Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $79,010 | 670 |
| Washington | $76,940 | 6,880 |
| Alaska | $73,180 | 740 |
| Maryland | $71,620 | 3,210 |
| California | $70,650 | 21,730 |
| Connecticut | $70,160 | 2,370 |
| New Jersey | $68,620 | 8,360 |
| Massachusetts | $67,590 | 4,660 |
| New York | $66,840 | 14,320 |
| Colorado | $66,330 | 4,650 |
| New Hampshire | $65,580 | 860 |
| District of Columbia | $65,570 | 90 |
| Nevada | $65,180 | 1,860 |
| Rhode Island | $64,690 | 400 |
| Minnesota | $64,340 | 6,790 |
| North Dakota | $63,430 | 1,540 |
| Utah | $62,970 | 2,930 |
| Illinois | $62,750 | 9,920 |
| Oregon | $62,670 | 4,030 |
| Delaware | $61,660 | 640 |
| South Dakota | $61,190 | 1,130 |
| Indiana | $61,050 | 8,730 |
| Vermont | $60,700 | 570 |
| Florida | $60,420 | 12,570 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,350 | 13,560 |
| Georgia | $60,260 | 11,470 |
| Wisconsin | $60,190 | 7,170 |
| Missouri | $60,150 | 6,520 |
| Wyoming | $59,970 | 1,030 |
| Maine | $59,850 | 1,590 |
| Ohio | $59,670 | 14,170 |
| Arizona | $59,270 | 5,430 |
| Michigan | $59,270 | 8,330 |
| Tennessee | $59,120 | 6,640 |
| Iowa | $58,800 | 4,270 |
| Idaho | $58,660 | 1,720 |
| Kansas | $58,650 | 3,770 |
| Virginia | $58,530 | 7,870 |
| Nebraska | $58,050 | 3,330 |
| Texas | $57,870 | 29,730 |
| Montana | $57,060 | 1,110 |
| Louisiana | $54,750 | 3,050 |
| North Carolina | $53,190 | 10,290 |
| Kentucky | $53,030 | 3,920 |
| South Carolina | $52,430 | 3,260 |
| New Mexico | $51,720 | 1,630 |
| Arkansas | $51,300 | 4,580 |
| Oklahoma | $50,950 | 3,420 |
| Mississippi | $50,480 | 3,010 |
| West Virginia | $49,230 | 1,110 |
| Alabama | $49,060 | 5,650 |
Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship Overview
At $60,640/yr median, the Diesel Mechanic trade combines strong wages with a proven apprenticeship pathway — 4 years of paid on-the-job training with no tuition cost. The model hasn't changed because it works.
Looking ahead, Diesel Mechanic employment is expected to grow 2.4% by 2034. About 26,500 openings per year — driven heavily by retirements in an aging workforce — keep demand for apprentices high.
Nationally, wages span from $41,670/yr at the 10th percentile to $85,980/yr at the 90th. Geography drives much of this spread — the same trade can pay 50%+ more in high-cost states compared to rural markets.
Prefer Trade School Instead?
Apprenticeships pay from day one, but some people prefer the classroom-first path. Diesel Mechanics also come up through trade school programs — shorter timeline, more upfront cost, and a credential before entering the workforce.
Or jump straight to a specific school: