Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship in Minnesota

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.

MN Median Salary
$64,340/yr
+6% vs. national
National Median
$60,640/yr
MN Employment
6,790
Diesel Mechanics employed
MN Sponsors
1
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 Minnesota: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered diesel mechanic apprenticeship in Minnesota 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.

Minnesota pay vs. national

Median diesel mechanic wages in Minnesota are $64,340/year, +6% above the national median of $60,640. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

Minnesota has 1 registered apprenticeship sponsor 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 — Minnesota-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

Minnesota Wage Spread

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

10th pct
$47,430
Median
$64,340
90th pct
$89,040
Middle 50% of workers earn $57,370$77,760

Current Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship Openings in Minnesota

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

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

Organization City County
Boyer Ford Trucks, Inc. Minneapolis
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Diesel Mechanic openings

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

Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship in Minnesota

With 1 trade-specific sponsor in our directory, Minnesota's Diesel Mechanic apprenticeship landscape is limited. Candidates should also consider nearby states or contact national union offices for referrals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Diesel Mechanics make in Minnesota?
The BLS reports a median wage of $64,340/yr for Diesel Mechanics in Minnesota (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.
Is an apprenticeship better than trade school for Diesel Mechanics?
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 Minnesota?
Contact one of the 1 Diesel Mechanic-adjacent registered sponsor in Minnesota (listed below), or search apprenticeship.gov for current openings. Local union halls, community colleges, and the state apprenticeship agency are good first stops.
How much do Diesel Mechanic apprentices earn?
Yes. Apprentices earn wages from day one, typically starting at 40–60% of the journeyman rate (roughly $32,170/yr in Minnesota). 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 Minnesota →
Or see all 337 programs nationwide.

Diesel Mechanic in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Minnesota

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