Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship in Texas

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.

TX Median Salary
$57,870/yr
-5% vs. national
National Median
$60,640/yr
TX Employment
29,730
Diesel Mechanics employed
TX Sponsors
11
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 Texas: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered diesel mechanic apprenticeship in Texas 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.

Texas pay vs. national

Median diesel mechanic wages in Texas are $57,870/year, -5% below the national median of $60,640. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

Texas has 11 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 — Texas-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

Texas Wage Spread

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

10th pct
$38,730
Median
$57,870
90th pct
$79,750
Middle 50% of workers earn $46,580$66,530

Current Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship Openings in Texas

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

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

Organization City County
Penske Bedford Dallas County
Republic Services - Technical Institute Dallas Dallas County
Dogget-John Deer Houston
ESSENTIAL TRUCKING Houston Harris County
Fleet Services by Cox Automotive Houston Harris County
HOLTCAT, South Texas Irving Bexar County
OTR GARAGE, LLC. Irving Dallas County
FFE Transportation Services, Inc. Lancaster
KLLM Transport Services Lancaster
AMR NEXTFLEET APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM Mineral Wells Palo Pinto County
4 Sons Trucking, Inc. Waco
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Diesel Mechanic openings

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

Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship in Texas

Apprenticeship seekers in Texas can contact any of 11 trade-specific sponsors our directory surfaces. Coverage is reasonable in urban centers, thinner in rural regions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Diesel Mechanics earn in Texas?
The median annual wage for Diesel Mechanics in Texas is $57,870 as of May 2024. Wages range from $38,730 at the 10th percentile to $79,750 at the 90th percentile.
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 Texas?
Contact one of the 11 Diesel Mechanic-adjacent registered sponsors in Texas (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?
Yes. Apprentices earn wages from day one, typically starting at 40–60% of the journeyman rate (roughly $28,935/yr in Texas). 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 Texas →
Or see all 337 programs nationwide.

Diesel Mechanic in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Texas

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