How much does a diesel mechanic make?
The median diesel mechanic in the United States earns $61,770 per year, about $29.70 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all diesel mechanics earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 49-3031.
Diesel mechanic salary range
Pay for diesel mechanics spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $44,530 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $88,740. The average (mean) wage of $64,320 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $44,530 | $21.41 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $50,540 | $24.30 | |
| Median (50th) | $61,770 | $29.70 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $75,470 | $36.29 | |
| 90th percentile | $88,740 | $42.66 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists (SOC 49-3031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Diesel mechanic salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Diesel mechanics earn the most in Hawaii at $80,080 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $46,610. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $80,080 | 690 |
| Washington | $77,900 | 7,410 |
| Alaska | $75,580 | 860 |
| Maryland | $74,790 | 3,030 |
| California | $73,950 | 20,940 |
| Massachusetts | $73,270 | 4,870 |
| New Jersey | $72,340 | 8,160 |
| New Hampshire | $71,390 | 1,040 |
| Colorado | $70,480 | 4,600 |
| New York | $70,100 | 13,230 |
| Nevada | $68,410 | 1,990 |
| Connecticut | $67,300 | 2,860 |
| Rhode Island | $67,270 | 350 |
| Minnesota | $66,840 | 7,300 |
| North Dakota | $66,110 | 1,790 |
| District of Columbia | $65,200 | 110 |
| Utah | $64,350 | 2,690 |
| Illinois | $64,340 | 11,320 |
| Oregon | $63,970 | 3,770 |
| Delaware | $63,590 | 670 |
| Wisconsin | $62,450 | 6,750 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,740 | 12,630 |
| Arizona | $61,680 | 5,140 |
| Wyoming | $61,580 | 1,100 |
| Michigan | $61,420 | 9,020 |
| Georgia | $61,370 | 10,910 |
| Virginia | $61,090 | 8,070 |
| Maine | $60,850 | 1,380 |
| Indiana | $60,610 | 8,840 |
| Florida | $60,490 | 14,900 |
| Ohio | $60,470 | 14,240 |
| Montana | $59,990 | 1,230 |
| Iowa | $59,680 | 4,140 |
| Kansas | $59,460 | 3,300 |
| Vermont | $59,390 | 550 |
| Missouri | $59,360 | 6,780 |
| South Carolina | $59,330 | 3,360 |
| Idaho | $59,230 | 1,930 |
| Tennessee | $59,190 | 5,720 |
| Nebraska | $59,140 | 2,720 |
| Texas | $58,810 | 29,870 |
| Louisiana | $58,680 | 3,270 |
| South Dakota | $58,120 | 1,340 |
| North Carolina | $57,490 | 11,070 |
| New Mexico | $55,910 | 1,740 |
| Kentucky | $55,480 | 3,890 |
| Oklahoma | $55,340 | 3,970 |
| Mississippi | $54,360 | 3,140 |
| Arkansas | $52,330 | 4,090 |
| Alabama | $50,470 | 6,130 |
| West Virginia | $46,610 | 1,040 |
State median wages for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists (SOC 49-3031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for diesel mechanics
The BLS projects employment of diesel mechanics to grow 3.6% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 316,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 327,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 24,400 openings a year for diesel mechanics. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a diesel mechanic
The typical entry-level education for diesel mechanics is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a diesel mechanic earns
Certifications, the type of equipment worked on, employer, and region drive most of the pay difference. Flat-rate pay and overtime can push experienced techs well above the median.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Hawaii, $80,080) and the lowest (West Virginia, $46,610) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 289,960 people work as diesel mechanics in the United States. At $61,770 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Diesel mechanic salary FAQ
How much does a diesel mechanic make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a diesel mechanic is $29.70. The middle half of diesel mechanics earn between $24.30 and $36.29 per hour.
What is the highest diesel mechanic salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of diesel mechanics earn more than $88,740 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a diesel mechanic make a year?
The median annual salary for a diesel mechanic is $61,770. The average (mean) wage of $64,320 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a diesel mechanic a well paid job?
At $61,770 a year, a diesel mechanic earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 289,960 people work as diesel mechanics in the United States.
Which state pays diesel mechanics the most?
Hawaii has the highest median salary for diesel mechanics at $80,080 a year. Washington ($77,900) and Alaska ($75,580) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a diesel mechanic a good career?
Employment of diesel mechanics is projected to grow 3.6% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 24,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a diesel mechanic?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for diesel mechanics as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Installation & Repair salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.