Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship in Louisiana

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.

LA Median Salary
$54,750/yr
-10% vs. national
National Median
$60,640/yr
LA Employment
3,050
Diesel Mechanics employed
LA Sponsors
3
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 Louisiana: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered diesel mechanic apprenticeship in Louisiana 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.

Louisiana pay vs. national

Median diesel mechanic wages in Louisiana are $54,750/year, -10% below the national median of $60,640. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

Louisiana has 3 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 — Louisiana-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

Louisiana Wage Spread

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

10th pct
$37,870
Median
$54,750
90th pct
$75,420
Middle 50% of workers earn $45,550$62,760

Current Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship Openings in Louisiana

No diesel mechanic apprenticeship openings are currently listed on apprenticeship.gov for Louisiana. 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 Louisiana

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

Organization City County
Kenworth of Louisiana Gary
Kenworth of Louisiana, LLC Gray
iTA Trucks Sales & Services Lafayette Lafayette Parish
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Diesel Mechanic openings

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

Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship in Louisiana

The 3 Diesel Mechanic-related registered sponsors in Louisiana mean apprenticeship programs exist but aren't abundant. Building relationships with local contractors and trade unions is often more effective than waiting for formal application windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Diesel Mechanic salary in Louisiana?
The BLS reports a median wage of $54,750/yr for Diesel Mechanics in Louisiana (May 2024 data). Experience, union membership, and specialization all affect where you fall in the range.
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.
How do I find a Diesel Mechanic apprenticeship in Louisiana?
Our directory surfaces 3 Diesel Mechanic-related registered sponsors in Louisiana. 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?
Yes. Apprentices earn wages from day one, typically starting at 40–60% of the journeyman rate (roughly $27,375/yr in Louisiana). 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 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs in Louisiana →
Or see all 337 programs nationwide.

Diesel Mechanic in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Louisiana

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