Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship in Rhode Island

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.

RI Median Salary
$64,690/yr
+7% vs. national
National Median
$60,640/yr
RI Employment
400
Diesel Mechanics employed
RI Sponsors
0
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 Rhode Island: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered diesel mechanic apprenticeship in Rhode Island 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.

Rhode Island pay vs. national

Median diesel mechanic wages in Rhode Island are $64,690/year, +7% above the national median of $60,640. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

Rhode Island has 0 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 — Rhode Island-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

Rhode Island Wage Spread

Annual wages for Diesel Mechanics in Rhode Island across all experience levels.

10th pct
$49,810
Median
$64,690
90th pct
$82,680
Middle 50% of workers earn $59,290$76,110

Current Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship Openings in Rhode Island

No diesel mechanic apprenticeship openings are currently listed on apprenticeship.gov for Rhode Island. That doesn't mean programs don't exist — smaller regional contractors often aren't included in the national directory. 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 Rhode Island

Our directory doesn't surface Diesel Mechanic-specific registered sponsors in Rhode Island. This usually reflects a smaller regional market where sponsors use generic company names rather than trade-specific branding — it doesn't mean programs don't exist. Direct search on apprenticeship.gov is the most reliable way to find current openings.

Search apprenticeship.gov for current Diesel Mechanic openings

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

Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship in Rhode Island

Our directory doesn't list Diesel Mechanic-specific sponsors in Rhode Island. This typically reflects a smaller regional market where sponsors operate under generic company names rather than trade-specific branding. Nearby states often accept out-of-state apprentices — and apprenticeship.gov can identify current openings by occupation code and ZIP.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Diesel Mechanics make in Rhode Island?
Diesel Mechanics in Rhode Island earn a median salary of $64,690/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?
Most Diesel Mechanic apprenticeships run 4 years. Apprentices work under a journeyman while attending classes, typically earning wages from day one with scheduled increases.
Is an apprenticeship better than trade school for Diesel Mechanics?
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.
Where can I apply for a Diesel Mechanic apprenticeship in Rhode Island?
Our directory doesn't surface Diesel Mechanic-specific registered sponsors in Rhode Island — typical for smaller markets where sponsors use generic company names. Best path: (1) search apprenticeship.gov by occupation and ZIP for current openings, (2) contact the relevant national union's closest local (find locals via apprenticeship.gov), or (3) reach out to your state apprenticeship agency directly.
How much do Diesel Mechanic apprentices earn?
Yes. Apprentices earn wages from day one, typically starting at 40–60% of the journeyman rate (roughly $32,345/yr in Rhode Island). 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 Rhode Island →
Or see all 337 programs nationwide.

Diesel Mechanic in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Rhode Island

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