Do diesel mechanics make good money?

Yes, diesel mechanics make good money. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage in 2020 for diesel mechanics (and diesel service technicians) was about $50,000. Depending on your location, industry, and experience, you can make more.

Is a diesel mechanic a good career?

Yes, being a diesel mechanic is generally a good career. This evaluation is due to a decent salary and employment growth. The median annual wage is around $50,000, and some employers and industries pay more than that. So, there is good potential earning if you stick with the career. Also, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of diesel mechanics is expected to grow during this decade.

Is being a diesel mechanic hard?

No, being a diesel mechanic is not too hard. With proper training, you could become one after three to four years. The minimum education requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, although some employers prefer it if you have some kind of postsecondary education in automotive repair, electronics, and mathematics. What would be advantageous is to have a degree or certificate specifically in diesel engine repair.

How To Become A Diesel Mechanic: What It Is and Career Path

Q: What are the pros and cons of being a diesel mechanic?

The pros of being a diesel mechanic include the pay, varied work environments, and job opportunities, while the cons include dirty and hazardous work conditions and physical and mental demands. Working as a diesel mechanic is best for someone who is physically fit and who enjoys working in oily conditions with their hands. Before jumping in, it's important to do your research.

What is a diesel mechanic and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A diesel mechanic specializes in the maintenance of diesel engines used in vehicles such as trucks, buses, and heavy equipment. Diesel mechanics are responsible for diagnosing engine problems, performing routine maintenance, and repairing or replacing faulty parts. They use specialized tools and equipment to troubleshoot and fix mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems in diesel engines. They also inspect engines for safety and compliance with environmental regulations.

ScoreDiesel MechanicUS Average

Salary

3.9

Avg. Salary $49,842

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

6.3

Growth Rate 4%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

10.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.06%

Asian 2.39%

Black or African American 8.06%

Hispanic or Latino 18.21%

Unknown 4.99%

White 65.30%

Gender

female 3.69%

male 96.31%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress Level

6.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

5.8

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

6.3

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Diesel Mechanic?

Pros

Job security due to the high demand
Good pay and benefits
Opportunities for advancement to management or specialized positions
Opportunity to learn new technologies and techniques as diesel engines evolve
Potential for overtime pay and flexible scheduling

Cons

Exposure to hazardous chemicals and fumes
Risk of injury from heavy machinery and tools
Long hours on your feet or in uncomfortable positions
High stress levels during peak seasons or when dealing with urgent repairs
Limited job opportunities in regions or industries with declining diesel use

Key steps to become a diesel mechanic

Explore diesel mechanic education requirements

Most common diesel mechanic degrees

High School Diploma

41.8 %

Associate

26.7 %

Diploma

17.4 %

Start to develop specific diesel mechanic skills

Skills	Percentages
CDL	19.36%
Preventative Maintenance	11.60%
DOT	11.08%
Hand Tools	8.61%
OSHA	4.97%

Complete relevant diesel mechanic training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New diesel mechanics learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a diesel mechanic based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real diesel mechanic resumes.

Gain additional diesel mechanic certifications

Diesel mechanic certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific diesel mechanic certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for diesel mechanics include Commercial Driver License (CDL) and EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA).

More About Certifications

Research diesel mechanic duties and responsibilities

Install and rebuild hydraulic systems on trucks to include cylinders, PTO pumps, and hoses.
Repair diesel engines; replace clutches, water pumps, turbo, alternators, brakes and HVAC.
Maintain and troubleshoot various kinds of heavy equipment like forklifts, graders, loaders and, buses.
Perform diagnosis and repairs to electrical systems as failures/problems occur.

Prepare your diesel mechanic resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your diesel mechanic resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a diesel mechanic resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Diesel Mechanic Resume templates

Build a professional Diesel Mechanic resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Diesel Mechanic resume.

Apply for diesel mechanic jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a diesel mechanic job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do diesel mechanics rate their job?

5/5

Out of 2 Diesel Mechanic reviews, 100% were positive.

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Based On 2 Ratings

Overall Rating

5.0

Career Growth

4.0

Pay / Salary

5.0

Work/Life Balance

4.0

Diesel Mechanic reviews

5.0

A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2024

Pros

It is really something I have always wanted to do.

Cons

If you break something, than you probably have to replace it. Parts get VERY expensive!

A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2024

Pros

Hard work but good pay (105,000) last year

Cons

Dealing with management and unqualified coworkers

A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2022

Pros

Hands on /weld/electric/mech/plumbing……

Cons

People looking over me when they can’t do the jobs

What is a diesel mechanic and how to become one

What are the pros and cons of being a Diesel Mechanic?

Diesel Mechanic career paths

Key steps to become a diesel mechanic

Explore diesel mechanic education requirements

Most common diesel mechanic degrees

Start to develop specific diesel mechanic skills

Complete relevant diesel mechanic training and internships

Gain additional diesel mechanic certifications

Research diesel mechanic duties and responsibilities

Prepare your diesel mechanic resume

Choose From 10+ Customizable Diesel Mechanic Resume templates

Apply for diesel mechanic jobs

How Did You Land Your First Diesel Mechanic Job

Average diesel mechanic salary

How do diesel mechanics rate their job?

Diesel Mechanic reviews

Diesel Mechanic FAQs

Do diesel mechanics make good money?

Is a diesel mechanic a good career?

Is being a diesel mechanic hard?

What are the pros and cons of being a diesel mechanic?

Search for diesel mechanic jobs

Diesel Mechanic jobs by state