Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship in Pennsylvania

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.

PA Median Salary
$60,350/yr
-0% vs. national
National Median
$60,640/yr
PA Employment
13,560
Diesel Mechanics employed
PA Sponsors
4
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 Pennsylvania: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered diesel mechanic apprenticeship in Pennsylvania 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.

Pennsylvania pay vs. national

Median diesel mechanic wages in Pennsylvania are $60,350/year, -0% below the national median of $60,640. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

Pennsylvania has 4 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 — Pennsylvania-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

Pennsylvania Wage Spread

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

10th pct
$42,950
Median
$60,350
90th pct
$79,360
Middle 50% of workers earn $49,230$69,680

Current Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship Openings in Pennsylvania

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

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

Organization City County
PV Transport, Inc. Hatfield Montgomery County
Jim Shorkey Commercial Truck Center (Shorkey Group Management LLC) Irwin
MACK Trucks, Inc. Macungie Lehigh County
Mack Trucks, Inc, Macungie
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Diesel Mechanic openings

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

Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has only 4 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 Pennsylvania?
Diesel Mechanics in Pennsylvania earn a median salary of $60,350/yr according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). This is below the national median of $60,640 for the trade.
How many years does it take to become a Diesel Mechanic through 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.
What's the difference between a Diesel Mechanic apprenticeship and 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 Pennsylvania?
Our directory surfaces 4 Diesel Mechanic-related registered sponsors in Pennsylvania. 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.
How much do Diesel Mechanic apprentices earn?
Apprentices are paid employees from the start. In Pennsylvania, a first-year Diesel Mechanic apprentice might earn around $30,175/yr (roughly half the $60,350 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 Pennsylvania →
Or see all 337 programs nationwide.

Diesel Mechanic in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Pennsylvania

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