Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship in Kentucky

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.

KY Median Salary
$53,030/yr
-13% vs. national
National Median
$60,640/yr
KY Employment
3,920
Diesel Mechanics employed
KY Sponsors
8
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 Kentucky: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered diesel mechanic apprenticeship in Kentucky 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.

Kentucky pay vs. national

Median diesel mechanic wages in Kentucky are $53,030/year, -13% below the national median of $60,640. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

Kentucky has 8 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 — Kentucky-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

Kentucky Wage Spread

Annual wages for Diesel Mechanics in Kentucky across all experience levels.

10th pct
$37,860
Median
$53,030
90th pct
$77,260
Middle 50% of workers earn $46,250$62,420

Current Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship Openings in Kentucky

No diesel mechanic apprenticeship openings are currently listed on apprenticeship.gov for Kentucky. The sponsors listed below accept applications on a rolling basis — contact them directly. 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 Kentucky

8 diesel mechanic-related registered sponsors identified in the DOL ApprenticeshipUSA directory for Kentucky. Directory lists sponsor names only — contact each organization directly to confirm current diesel mechanic apprenticeship openings.

Organization City County
TAZ Trucking, Inc. Bowling Green
Bluegrass International Trucking Georgetown
H&R AGRI-POWER Hopkinsville
Ascendance Truck Centers Louisville Jefferson County
BoydCat Louisville Jefferson County
Motor Coach Industries (MCI) Academy Louisville Jefferson County
Palmer Trucks Kenworth Louisville Jefferson County
Wright Implement 1, LLC Owensboro
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Diesel Mechanic openings

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

Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship in Kentucky

Kentucky has only 8 Diesel Mechanic-adjacent registered sponsors in our directory — program slots may be competitive and early applications give the best shot at placement. Direct outreach to union halls in the state's largest cities often matters more than formal application windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Diesel Mechanic salary in Kentucky?
The median annual wage for Diesel Mechanics in Kentucky is $53,030 as of May 2024. Wages range from $37,860 at the 10th percentile to $77,260 at the 90th percentile.
How long is a Diesel Mechanic apprenticeship?
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?
Apprenticeships offer paid training with no tuition, while trade school requires upfront costs but may be shorter. Many Diesel Mechanics combine both — starting with trade school basics before entering an apprenticeship.
Where can I apply for a Diesel Mechanic apprenticeship in Kentucky?
Our directory surfaces 8 Diesel Mechanic-related registered sponsors in Kentucky. Start with your local trade union hall, joint apprenticeship committee (JAC), or state apprenticeship agency. You can also search apprenticeship.gov by occupation and ZIP.
Do Diesel Mechanic apprentices get paid during training?
Apprentices are paid employees from the start. In Kentucky, a first-year Diesel Mechanic apprentice might earn around $26,515/yr (roughly half the $53,030 journeyman median), with scheduled raises throughout the 4-year 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 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs in Kentucky →
Or see all 337 programs nationwide.

Diesel Mechanic in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Kentucky

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