Diesel mechanic salary

Diesel mechanics in the U.S. earn a median $61,770 a year.

Median pay
$61,770
Median hourly
$29.70
Typical range
$44,530–$88,740
Jobs
289,960

Pay range

Annual pay percentiles for diesel mechanics in the U.S.
PercentileAnnual pay
10th (entry level)$44,530
25th$50,540
Median$61,770
75th$75,470
90th (top earners)$88,740

Pay in the biggest metro areas

Median pay by metro area
Metro areaMedian payJobs
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$75,78012,430
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN$65,6808,660
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX$60,3907,940
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX$60,7707,410
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$77,3806,520
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA$62,2705,940
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD$64,5504,490
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI$73,7304,290
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL$61,3404,240
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI$63,3603,820

Diesel mechanic salary by state

  1. 1Hawaii$80,080
  2. 2Washington$77,900
  3. 3Alaska$75,580
  4. 4Maryland$74,790
  5. 5California$73,950
  6. 6Massachusetts$73,270
  7. 7New Jersey$72,340
  8. 8New Hampshire$71,390
  9. 9Colorado$70,480
  10. 10New York$70,100
  11. 11Nevada$68,410
  12. 12Connecticut$67,300
  13. 13Rhode Island$67,270
  14. 14Minnesota$66,840
  15. 15North Dakota$66,110
  16. –District of Columbia$65,200
  17. 16Utah$64,350
  18. 17Illinois$64,340
  19. 18Oregon$63,970
  20. 19Delaware$63,590
  21. 20Wisconsin$62,450
  22. 21Pennsylvania$61,740
  23. 22Arizona$61,680
  24. 23Wyoming$61,580
  25. 24Michigan$61,420
  26. 25Georgia$61,370
  27. 26Virginia$61,090
  28. 27Maine$60,850
  29. 28Indiana$60,610
  30. 29Florida$60,490
  31. 30Ohio$60,470
  32. 31Montana$59,990
  33. 32Iowa$59,680
  34. 33Kansas$59,460
  35. 34Vermont$59,390
  36. 35Missouri$59,360
  37. 36South Carolina$59,330
  38. 37Idaho$59,230
  39. 38Tennessee$59,190
  40. 39Nebraska$59,140
  41. 40Texas$58,810
  42. 41Louisiana$58,680
  43. 42South Dakota$58,120
  44. 43North Carolina$57,490
  45. 44New Mexico$55,910
  46. 45Kentucky$55,480
  47. 46Oklahoma$55,340
  48. 47Mississippi$54,360
  49. 48Arkansas$52,330
  50. 49Alabama$50,470
  51. 50West Virginia$46,610
  52. –Puerto Rico$40,110

Start training

See what the work is like and how long training takes, then compare schools.

Diesel mechanic schoolsHow to become a diesel mechanic

Frequently asked questions

How much do diesel mechanics make?

The median pay for diesel mechanics in the U.S. is $61,770 a year ($29.70 an hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $44,530, and the top 10% earn over $88,740.

Which states pay diesel mechanics the most?

The top-paying states are Hawaii ($80,080), Washington ($77,900), Alaska ($75,580), Maryland ($74,790), California ($73,950).

How can a diesel mechanic earn more?

Pay rises with experience, certifications, specialized skills, overtime and willingness to travel. Union jobs and employers in high-cost metro areas often pay more. Our guide on how to become a diesel mechanic covers the certifications that matter most.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists, SOC 49-3031). Figures exclude self-employed workers.