Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship in District of Columbia

Wages, programs & career outlook

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.

DC Median Salary
$65,570/yr
+8% vs. national
National Median
$60,640/yr
DC Employment
90
Diesel Mechanics employed
DC Sponsors
0
Registered programs
Training Term
4.0 yrs
Time-Based
Job Growth
2.4%
2024–2034 projected
Annual Openings
26,500
Nationally, per yr

Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship in District of Columbia: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered diesel mechanic apprenticeship in District of Columbia combines paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Programs typically run 4.0 years and follow a time-based structure. You earn wages from day one — apprentices are employees, not students.

District of Columbia pay vs. national

Median diesel mechanic wages in District of Columbia are $65,570/year, +8% above the national median of $60,640. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

District of Columbia has 0 registered apprenticeship sponsors for diesel mechanic listed in the U.S. Department of Labor's apprenticeship.gov directory. The sponsor list further down includes joint labor-management programs (JATCs), individual employers, and contractor associations.

Job-market outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 2.4% job growth for diesel mechanics nationally between 2024 and 2034, with approximately 26,500 annual openings each year (replacement plus growth combined). Apprenticeship demand tends to track local construction and infrastructure spending — District of Columbia-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

District of Columbia Wage Spread

Annual wages for Diesel Mechanics in District of Columbia across all experience levels.

10th pct
$49,400
Median
$65,570
90th pct
$92,040
Middle 50% of workers earn $58,970$78,000

Current Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship Openings in District of Columbia

No diesel mechanic apprenticeship openings are currently listed on apprenticeship.gov for District of Columbia. That doesn't mean programs don't exist — smaller regional contractors often aren't included in the national directory. Consider setting up an alert on apprenticeship.gov to be notified when new listings are posted.

Listings aggregated from apprenticeship.gov (US Dept. of Labor). Data refreshed daily.

Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship Sponsors in District of Columbia

Our directory doesn't surface Diesel Mechanic-specific registered sponsors in District of Columbia. This usually reflects a smaller regional market where sponsors use generic company names rather than trade-specific branding — it doesn't mean programs don't exist. Direct search on apprenticeship.gov is the most reliable way to find current openings.

Search apprenticeship.gov for current Diesel Mechanic openings

Filter by occupation code 49-3031 and state DC for the most relevant results.

Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship in District of Columbia

District of Columbia has a smaller Diesel Mechanic industry, and our directory doesn't surface trade-specific registered sponsors for this state. That doesn't mean programs don't exist — smaller regional contractors often aren't identifiable by name alone. Search apprenticeship.gov for current openings, or contact your state apprenticeship agency and the relevant national union (IUEC, IBEW, UA, SMART, etc.) for referrals to nearby programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Diesel Mechanics earn in District of Columbia?
The median annual wage for Diesel Mechanics in District of Columbia is $65,570 as of May 2024. Wages range from $49,400 at the 10th percentile to $92,040 at the 90th percentile.
What is the length of a Diesel Mechanic apprenticeship program?
The standard Diesel Mechanic apprenticeship is 4 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom education. Some programs offer accelerated paths for candidates with prior experience.
Should I do a Diesel Mechanic apprenticeship or go to trade school?
An apprenticeship lets you earn while you learn over 4 years with no tuition cost. Trade school is faster (6–24 months) but costs money upfront. Both can lead to the same journeyman credential.
How do I find a Diesel Mechanic apprenticeship in District of Columbia?
Our directory doesn't surface Diesel Mechanic-specific registered sponsors in District of Columbia — typical for smaller markets where sponsors use generic company names. Best path: (1) search apprenticeship.gov by occupation and ZIP for current openings, (2) contact the relevant national union's closest local (find locals via apprenticeship.gov), or (3) reach out to your state apprenticeship agency directly.
How much do Diesel Mechanic apprentices earn?
Yes. Apprentices earn wages from day one, typically starting at 40–60% of the journeyman rate (roughly $32,785/yr in District of Columbia). Wages increase at regular intervals — usually every 6 months — as you progress through the program.

Prefer Trade School Instead?

Apprenticeships pay from day one, but the classroom-first path may fit better for some. Diesel Mechanics also train through trade school programs — shorter timeline, more upfront cost.

Compare 337 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs nationwide →
Too few District of Columbia-based programs to compare locally — see the national list and filter.

Diesel Mechanic in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in District of Columbia

Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024, DOL RAPIDS Registered Apprenticeship database, ApprenticeshipUSA Sponsor Directory.