Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship in North Carolina

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.

NC Median Salary
$53,190/yr
-12% vs. national
National Median
$60,640/yr
NC Employment
10,290
Diesel Mechanics employed
NC Sponsors
10
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 North Carolina: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered diesel mechanic apprenticeship in North Carolina 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.

North Carolina pay vs. national

Median diesel mechanic wages in North Carolina are $53,190/year, -12% below the national median of $60,640. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

North Carolina has 10 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 — North Carolina-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

North Carolina Wage Spread

Annual wages for Diesel Mechanics in North Carolina across all experience levels.

10th pct
$37,600
Median
$53,190
90th pct
$73,940
Middle 50% of workers earn $45,760$61,900

Current Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship Openings in North Carolina

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

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

Organization City County
Carolina CAT Charlotte
Cummins Inc. Charlotte
Cummins, Inc. Charlotte
Cleveland Truck Manufacturing Plant, Daimler Trucks North America LLC Cleveland
Cummins- MERITOR, INC.- Henderson Fletcher
Daimler Truck North America LLC, Gastonia Gastonia
Daimler Truck North America LLC, Mt. Holly Gastonia
Piedmont Truck Center, Inc. Greensboro
Thomas Built Buses High Point
Cummins Rocky Mount Engine Plant Whitakers
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Diesel Mechanic openings

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

Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship in North Carolina

Program availability in North Carolina is moderate: 10 Diesel Mechanic-related sponsors in our directory. Candidates in major cities will find multiple options; those in smaller markets may need to commute or relocate within the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Diesel Mechanics make in North Carolina?
The median annual wage for Diesel Mechanics in North Carolina is $53,190 as of May 2024. Wages range from $37,600 at the 10th percentile to $73,940 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 North Carolina?
Contact one of the 10 Diesel Mechanic-adjacent registered sponsors in North Carolina (listed below), or search apprenticeship.gov for current openings. Local union halls, community colleges, and the state apprenticeship agency are good first stops.
Do Diesel Mechanic apprentices get paid during training?
Apprentices are paid employees from the start. In North Carolina, a first-year Diesel Mechanic apprentice might earn around $26,595/yr (roughly half the $53,190 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 North Carolina →
Or see all 337 programs nationwide.

Diesel Mechanic in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in North Carolina

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