Diesel technician pay
How much does a diesel technician make?
The short answer
Diesel techs in the US earn a median of $29.70 an hour, about $61,770 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn $24.30 to $36.29 an hour. On 93 diesel technician jobs posted with pay on Tire Careers in the last 30 days, shops offered a median of $32.50 an hour.
Updated
Diesel technician pay by percentile
The government survey counts 289,960 bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists in the US. Diesel techs are part of that group. Half earn more than the median and half earn less.
| Percentile | Hourly | Yearly (full time) |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21.41 | $44,530 |
| 25th | $24.30 | $50,540 |
| Median | $29.70 | $61,770 |
| 75th | $36.29 | $75,470 |
| 90th | $42.66 | $88,740 |
What shops are posting right now
This is the pay shops put on diesel technician jobs listed on Tire Careers in the last 30 days. We count each employer and pay range once, and we take the middle of each posted range. Yearly pay becomes hourly when we divide it by 2,080. We show it once at least 30 postings list pay.
| Role | Median hourly | Middle half | Postings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel technician | $32.50 | $28.13 to $36.74 | 93 |
How the pay compares
Here is the same survey for three shop jobs. Many techs start on tires or oil changes and move up from there.
| Job | Median hourly | Median yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Tire technicians | $18.13 | $37,710 |
| Auto technicians and mechanics | $24.34 | $50,620 |
| Diesel technicians | $29.70 | $61,770 |
What raises the pay
- ASE truck tests. Passing the ASE medium and heavy truck tests shows a shop what you know.
- DOT inspections. Fleets need a yearly inspection on every truck, so a tech who is qualified to do them is useful to any fleet.
- Electrical and emissions work. Newer trucks have more wiring and exhaust parts. Techs who can find those faults with a scan tool can take on more jobs.
- A CDL. With a CDL you can road test and move trucks yourself.
- Road calls and nights. Road service, night shifts and on call work often pay extra.
Where the job can lead
In many shops the next steps are lead tech, then shop foreman, then service manager. Some diesel techs move into fleet maintenance or field service for a truck dealer.
Looking for work, or hiring?
Common questions
How much does a diesel technician make an hour?
The median diesel technician in the US earns $29.70 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $24.30 and $36.29. The top 10% earn more than $42.66.
How much does a diesel mechanic make a year?
About $61,770 a year at the median, working full time. The lowest 10% earn under $44,530 and the top 10% earn over $88,740.
Is a diesel technician the same as a diesel mechanic?
Yes. Shops use both names for the same job. The BLS counts them together as Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists (SOC 49-3031).
Do diesel techs make more than auto techs?
At the median, yes. Diesel techs earn $29.70 an hour and auto techs earn $24.34, according to the BLS (May 2025).
Where do these numbers come from?
The survey figures come from the May 2025 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The job there is Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists (SOC 49-3031). The posted pay figures come from Tire Careers jobs from the last 30 days that state their pay. We count each employer and pay range once. To get hourly pay, we divide yearly pay by 2,080 hours.
More free guides
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists (49-3031), OEWS May 2025
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tire Repairers and Changers (49-3093), OEWS May 2025
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics (49-3023), OEWS May 2025
- Tire Careers job board, pay stated on jobs from the last 30 days