Diesel Mechanic Hourly Pay, Skills & Requirements (2026)
Advertised pay, starting pay, skills and experience from 13,542 US job postings by 2,668 employers. Data as of October 2026.
What US employers post for diesel mechanics: advertised pay, the skills and experience they ask for, and the job titles they use, from 13,542 open job postings (October 2026).
- The median advertised pay for diesel mechanics in US job postings is $32.50 an hour (3,781 postings from 678 employers, October 2026).
- The middle half of those postings offer $28.50 to $36.50 an hour.
- Postings that ask for up to 1 year of experience advertise a median of $30.00 an hour (541 postings).
- The skills that most set diesel mechanic postings apart are diesel engines, electrical systems, preventative maintenance.
- Postings that state a minimum ask for a median of 2 years of experience.
Diesel Mechanic job postings in the US, October 2026
- $32.50/hr
- Median advertised pay (3,781 postings)
- $28.50–$36.50
- Middle 50% of postings
- $30.00/hr
- Starting pay (postings asking up to 1 year)
- 13,542
- US job postings from 2,668 employers
How much does a diesel mechanic make an hour?
The median advertised pay is $32.50 an hour, from 3,781 US job postings by 678 employers that state pay. That is about $68,000 a year at 2,080 hours.
Advertised pay in 3,781 US diesel mechanic job postings: median $68,000 a year ($32.50 an hour), middle half $59,000 to $77,000.
- Median: $68,000 ($32.50/hr)
- 25th percentile: $59,000
- 75th percentile: $77,000
The figures as a table
| Annual pay | Share of postings |
|---|---|
| $20K–$30K | 0.4% |
| $30K–$40K | 1.9% |
| $40K–$50K | 6.9% |
| $50K–$60K | 17.5% |
| $60K–$70K | 30.3% |
| $70K–$80K | 24.5% |
| $80K–$90K | 11.9% |
| $90K–$100K | 4.2% |
| $100K–$110K | 1.4% |
Midpoint of each posting's pay range, hourly pay × 2,080 hours; at most 20 postings per employer; US, October 2026.
| Median | Middle 50% | Postings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postings that state an hourly rate | $32.50 | $28.50–$36.50 | 2,230 |
| All pay postings, annualised | $68,000 | $59K–$77K | 3,781 |
For comparison, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the national median annual wage of Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists (49-3031) at $62,000 (May 2025). Postings advertise pay; the BLS measures what people earn, across all employers and levels.
What is the starting salary for a diesel mechanic?
Postings that ask for up to 1 year of experience advertise a median of $30.00 an hour (541 postings).
| Experience asked | Median advertised pay | Postings |
|---|---|---|
| 0-1 years | $30.00/hr | 541 |
| 2-4 years | $32.93/hr | 1,720 |
| 5+ years | $34.00/hr | 586 |
Highest-paying diesel mechanic jobs
Specializations with at least 250 postings that state pay.
| Specialization | Median pay | Postings with pay | Employers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile Service Technician | $34.20/hr | 349 | 51 |
| Heavy Equipment Mechanic | $33.91/hr | 445 | 133 |
| Diesel Mechanic (general) | $33.00/hr | 1,439 | 288 |
| Fleet Mechanic | $32.31/hr | 422 | 123 |
| Trailer Mechanic | $31.05/hr | 314 | 87 |
| Mechanic | $31.00/hr | 262 | 58 |
Diesel mechanic pay by state
Single-location US postings; states with at least 100 postings that state pay. States with pay-transparency laws (such as California, Colorado, New York and Washington) are over-represented among postings that state pay.
| State | Median pay | Middle 50% | Postings with pay | Share of postings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $36.01/hr | $30.81–$40.00 | 254 | 5.6% |
| New Jersey | $34.50/hr | $26.50–$37.00 | 117 | 2.2% |
| Pennsylvania | $33.87/hr | $30.00–$36.01 | 108 | 4.7% |
| New York | $33.05/hr | $28.50–$36.17 | 204 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | $31.62/hr | $27.50–$35.50 | 195 | 3.8% |
| Texas | $31.00/hr | $27.50–$35.00 | 213 | 9.5% |
| Georgia | $30.00/hr | $24.75–$34.09 | 108 | 3.5% |
| Ohio | $30.00/hr | $25.00–$34.00 | 108 | 3.5% |
Skills employers ask for in diesel mechanic job postings
| Skill | Share of postings |
|---|---|
| Communication | 22% |
| Work independently | 14% |
| Problem-solving | 13% |
| Attention to detail | 12% |
| Customer service | 11% |
| Electrical | 10% |
| Troubleshooting | 10% |
| Electrical systems | 8% |
| Preventative maintenance | 8% |
| Mechanical aptitude | 8% |
Skills named in the posting text; at most 20 postings per employer; US, October 2026. Methodology.
Skills that set diesel mechanics apart
- Diesel engines104.5× as often as in all postings · 7%
- Electrical systems24.9× as often as in all postings · 8%
- Preventative maintenance28.5× as often as in all postings · 8%
- Electrical11.4× as often as in all postings · 10%
- Hydraulics31.3× as often as in all postings · 7%
- Hydraulic systems48.4× as often as in all postings · 6%
- Hydraulic28.8× as often as in all postings · 6%
- Mechanical aptitude11× as often as in all postings · 8%
- Troubleshooting5× as often as in all postings · 10%
- Mechanical8.9× as often as in all postings · 5%
- Hand tools9× as often as in all postings · 5%
- Basic computer skills3.4× as often as in all postings · 6%
Skills named in at least 5% of these postings and at least 3 times as often as in job postings overall.
Have a diesel mechanic job posting in front of you? See which of its skills your resume is missing.
What does a diesel mechanic do?
Employers post these jobs as Diesel Technician, Heavy Equipment Mechanic, Fleet Mechanic, Shop Technician, Fleet Technician and other titles. The largest specializations are Heavy Equipment Mechanic (13%), Fleet Mechanic (9%), Trailer Mechanic (7%), Mechanic (5%), Shop Technician (4%), Mobile Service Technician (5%).
The closest official occupation is Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists (49-3031.00). Its most important tasks:
- Use handtools, such as screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, pressure gauges, or precision instruments, as well as power tools, such as pneumatic wrenches, lathes, welding equipment, or jacks and hoists.
- Inspect brake systems, steering mechanisms, wheel bearings, and other important parts to ensure that they are in proper operating condition.
- Raise trucks, buses, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks or hoists.
- Adjust and reline brakes, align wheels, tighten bolts and screws, and reassemble equipment.
- Attach test instruments to equipment, and read dials and gauges to diagnose malfunctions.
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
How much experience do you need to be a diesel mechanic?
Among 3,811 postings that state a minimum, the median is 2 years. Under 1% say 0 years and 24% ask for 1 year or less.
Minimum experience asked in 3,811 US diesel mechanic job postings: median 2 years, and 24% ask for 1 year or less.
The figures as a table
| Minimum experience asked | Share of postings |
|---|---|
| 0 yr | 1% |
| 1 yr | 23% |
| 2 yrs | 29% |
| 3-4 yrs | 30% |
| 5-7 yrs | 16% |
| 8-9 yrs | under 1% |
| 10+ yrs | under 1% |
Postings that state a minimum (required or preferred); at most 20 postings per employer; US, October 2026.
We do not show a degree figure: in our checks, degree requirements in posting text were found too rarely to publish one. Why.
Full-time 99% of the 1,084 postings that state working hours.
Other names for a diesel mechanic: job titles employers use
| Job title | Employers using it |
|---|---|
| Diesel Mechanic | 473 (17.7%) |
| Diesel Technician | 295 (11.1%) |
| Heavy Equipment Mechanic | 203 (7.6%) |
| Fleet Mechanic | 193 (7.2%) |
| Shop Technician | 98 (3.7%) |
| Fleet Technician | 85 (3.2%) |
| Trailer Mechanic | 71 (2.7%) |
| Trailer Technician | 71 (2.7%) |
| Truck Mechanic | 61 (2.3%) |
| Forklift Mechanic | 53 (2.0%) |
| Shop Mechanic | 53 (2.0%) |
| Bus Mechanic | 52 (1.9%) |
| Mobile Mechanic | 51 (1.9%) |
| Field Mechanic | 45 (1.7%) |
| Heavy Equipment Technician | 44 (1.7%) |
| Fleet Maintenance Technician | 41 (1.5%) |
| Mobile Diesel Technician | 35 (1.3%) |
| Automotive Diesel Technician | 35 (1.3%) |
| Diesel Service Technician | 35 (1.3%) |
| Heavy Duty Mechanic | 33 (1.2%) |
Titles read in our audit and used by at least 3 employers.
Diesel mechanic job titles compared
The titles people search for most, from the US job postings that use each exact title (October 2026).
| Job title | Open postings | Employers | Median pay | Median experience | Skills named most |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel Technician | 1,440 | 295 | – | 2 years | communication, customer service, problem-solving |
| Fleet Mechanic | 343 | 193 | – | – | work independently, problem-solving, communication |
Diesel Mechanic compared with similar careers
| Career | Median pay | Median experience | Postings | Shares N of top 25 skills |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel Mechanic | $32.50/hr | 2 years | 13,542 | – |
| Field Service Technician | $30.30/hr | 2 years | 16,764 | 17 |
| Millwright | – | 3 years | 855 | 13 |
| Locksmith | – | 2 years | 982 | 16 |
| HVAC Technician | $33.50/hr | 3 years | 11,503 | 15 |
Similar careers
| Career | Shares N of the top 25 skills | Median pay |
|---|---|---|
| Field Service Technician | 17 | $30.30/hr |
| Millwright | 13 | – |
| Locksmith | 16 | – |
| HVAC Technician | 15 | $33.50/hr |
| Maintenance Technician | 14 | $27.50/hr |
| Electrician | 14 | $36.23/hr |
Applying for diesel mechanic jobs?
- Diesel mechanic resume examples: one-page examples for these roles
- Match your resume to a job: paste a posting and see the skills your resume is missing
- Check your resume: see how an applicant tracking system reads it
- Find diesel mechanic jobs: search open postings
Frequently asked questions
How much does a diesel mechanic make an hour?
What is the starting salary for a diesel mechanic?
What are the highest-paying diesel mechanic jobs?
Source and method
Open US job postings collected from employers' applicant tracking systems, de-duplicated, counted only when their job title was read in our audit. Shares count at most 20 postings per employer, and franchise locations of one brand count as one employer. Pay uses hourly and annual figures only; a figure is shown when leaving out the largest employer moves it by 10% or less. Every figure states its number of postings. Methodology and measured accuracy.
Accuracy check: we read 20 randomly chosen postings counted on this page in full; 18 of them were this career or a closely related one (October 2026).
Download the figures on this page (CSV): every number above with its count of postings. Aggregate figures are licensed CC BY 4.0; cite the page when you reuse them.