Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship in North Dakota

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.

ND Median Salary
$63,430/yr
+5% vs. national
National Median
$60,640/yr
ND Employment
1,540
Diesel Mechanics employed
ND Sponsors
2
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 Dakota: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered diesel mechanic apprenticeship in North Dakota 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 Dakota pay vs. national

Median diesel mechanic wages in North Dakota are $63,430/year, +5% above the national median of $60,640. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

North Dakota has 2 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 Dakota-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

North Dakota Wage Spread

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

10th pct
$44,710
Median
$63,430
90th pct
$83,430
Middle 50% of workers earn $51,570$75,550

Current Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship Openings in North Dakota

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

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

Organization City County
CAT Reman Drivetrain Fargo
Titan Machinery West Fargo Cass County
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Diesel Mechanic openings

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

Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship in North Dakota

North Dakota has only 2 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 North Dakota?
Diesel Mechanics in North Dakota earn a median salary of $63,430/yr according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). This is above the national median of $60,640 for the trade.
How long is a Diesel Mechanic apprenticeship?
A typical Diesel Mechanic apprenticeship lasts approximately 4 years (8,000 hours of on-the-job training). The program combines paid work experience with related classroom instruction.
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.
How do I find a Diesel Mechanic apprenticeship in North Dakota?
Contact one of the 2 Diesel Mechanic-adjacent registered sponsors in North Dakota (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 $31,715/yr in North Dakota). 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 North Dakota-based programs to compare locally — see the national list and filter.

Diesel Mechanic in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in North Dakota

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