Become A Diesel Mechanic

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Working As A Diesel Mechanic

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Getting Information
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Outdoors/walking/standing
$50,340
Average Salary

What Does A Diesel Mechanic Do

A Diesel Mechanic is focused on repairing and maintaining diesel engines used to power machines, such as trucks, trailers, and pickups. This job also involves diagnosing problems, disassembling engines, and examining various parts for defects.

How To Become A Diesel Mechanic

Most diesel technicians learn informally on the job after a high school education, but employers increasingly prefer applicants who have completed postsecondary training programs in diesel engine repair. Although not required, industry certification can demonstrate a diesel technician’s competence and experience.

Education

Most employers require a high school diploma or equivalent. High school or postsecondary courses in automotive repair, electronics, and mathematics provide a strong educational background for a career as a diesel technician.

An increasing number of employers look for workers with postsecondary training in diesel engine repair. Many community colleges and trade and vocational schools offer certificate or degree programs in diesel engine repair.

Programs mix classroom instruction with hands-on training, including the basics of diesel technology, repair techniques and equipment, and practical exercises. Students also learn how to interpret technical manuals and electronic diagnostic reports.

Training

Diesel technicians who begin working without any postsecondary education are trained extensively on the job. Trainees are assigned basic tasks, such as cleaning parts, checking fuel and oil levels, and driving vehicles in and out of the shop.

After they learn routine maintenance and repair tasks and demonstrate competence, trainees move on to more complicated subjects such as vehicle diagnostics. This process can take from 3 to 4 years, at which point a trainee is usually considered a journey-level diesel technician.

Over the course of their careers, diesel technicians must learn to use new techniques and equipment. Employers often send experienced technicians to special training classes conducted by manufacturers and vendors to learn about the latest diesel technology.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is the standard credential for diesel and other automotive service technicians and mechanics. Although not required, this certification demonstrates a diesel technician’s competence and experience to potential employers and clients, and often brings higher pay.

Diesel technicians may be certified in specific repair areas, such as drive trains, electronic systems, or preventative maintenance and inspection. To earn certification, technicians must have 2 years of work experience and pass one or more ASE exams. To remain certified, diesel technicians must pass a recertification exam every 5 years.

Many diesel technicians are required to have a commercial driver’s license so they may test-drive buses and large trucks.

Important Qualities

Customer-service skills. Diesel technicians frequently discuss automotive problems and necessary repairs with their customers. They must be courteous, good listeners, and ready to answer customers’ questions.

Detail oriented. Diesel technicians must be aware of small details when inspecting or repairing engines and components, because mechanical and electronic malfunctions are often due to misalignments and other easy-to-miss causes.

Dexterity. Mechanics need a steady hand and good hand-eye coordination for many tasks, such as disassembling engine parts, connecting or attaching components, or using hand tools.

Mechanical skills. Diesel technicians must be familiar with engine components and systems and know how they interact with each other. They often disassemble major parts for repairs, and they must be able to put them back together properly.

Organizational skills. Diesel technicians must keep workspaces clean and organized in order to maintain safety and ensure accountability for parts.

Strength. Diesel technicians often lift heavy parts and tools, such as exhaust system components and pneumatic wrenches.

Troubleshooting skills. Diesel technicians must be able to use diagnostic equipment on engine systems and components in order to identify and fix problems in increasingly complicated mechanical and electronic systems. They must be familiar with electronic control systems and the appropriate tools needed to fix and maintain them.

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Diesel Mechanic jobs

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Diesel Mechanic Career Paths

Diesel Mechanic

Maintenance Technician Building Maintenance Technician

Building Maintenance Supervisor

7 Yearsyrs

Aircraft Mechanic Line Mechanic

Chief Mechanical Officer

9 Yearsyrs

Truck Driver Delivery Driver Maintenance Technician

Lead Mechanic

7 Yearsyrs

Technician Service Technician Maintenance Technician

Maintenance Lead Person

6 Yearsyrs

Truck Driver Equipment Operator Maintenance Technician

Maintenance Lead Technician

8 Yearsyrs

Technician Maintenance Technician

Maintenance Technician Supervisor

5 Yearsyrs

Machine Operator Forklift Operator Automotive Technician

Master Technician

6 Yearsyrs

Lead Mechanic Technician Mechanical Technician

Mechanics Supervisor

6 Yearsyrs

Shop Foreman Maintenance Technician

Senior Maintenance Technician

8 Yearsyrs

Average Length of Employment

Journeyman/Mechanic 6.1 years
Master Mechanic 5.6 years
Head Mechanic 4.7 years
Equipment Mechanic 4.4 years
Lead Mechanic 4.3 years
Diesel Mechanic 4.0 years
Diesel Engine Mechanic 3.8 years
Auto Mechanic 3.7 years
Fleet Mechanic 3.7 years
Truck Trailer Mechanic 3.7 years
Generator Mechanic 3.7 years
Mechanic 3.5 years
Heavy Truck Mechanic 3.5 years
Automotive Mechanic 3.5 years
Bus Mechanic 3.3 years
Service Mechanic 3.3 years
Heavy Duty Mechanic 3.2 years
Truck Technician 3.2 years
Tractor Trailer Mechanic 3.2 years
Truck Mechanic 3.1 years
Diesel Technician 3.0 years
Fleet Technician 3.0 years
Shop Mechanic 2.9 years
Apprentice Mechanic 2.1 years
Mechanic Helper 2.0 years
Mechanic's Assistant 1.9 years
Diesel Mechanic Apprentice 1.5 years

Top Careers Before Diesel Mechanic

Top Careers After Diesel Mechanic

Diesel Mechanic Demographics

Gender

Male
94.7%
Female
4.3%
Unknown
1.0%

Ethnicity

White
79.6%
Hispanic or Latino
12.6%
Asian
6.1%
Unknown
1.2%
Black or African American
0.5%

Languages Spoken

Spanish
59.5%
Carrier
14.9%
German
3.3%
French
2.5%
Portuguese
2.5%
Russian
1.7%
Thai
1.7%
Navajo
1.7%
Greek
1.7%
Italian
1.7%
Arabic
1.7%
Vietnamese
0.8%
Romanian
0.8%
Hindi
0.8%
Korean
0.8%
Nepali
0.8%
Finnish
0.8%
Braille
0.8%
Burmese
0.8%
Tagalog
0.8%

Diesel Mechanic

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

Diesel Mechanic Education

Schools

Universal Technical Institute
36.6%
Nashville Auto Diesel College Inc
10.5%
University of Phoenix
7.6%
University of Northwestern Ohio
5.9%
WyoTech - Laramie
5.0%
Central Texas College
4.1%
Lincoln College of Technology - Indianapolis
3.0%
Arizona Automotive Institute
2.9%
Lincoln College of Technology - Grand Prairie
2.9%
Ohio Technical College
2.4%
Ashford University
2.2%
Western Technical College
2.2%
South Texas College
2.1%
Lincoln Technical Institute
2.1%
Lincoln College of Technology - Denver
1.9%
Texas State Technical College - Waco
1.7%
Houston Community College
1.7%
Fox Valley Technical College
1.7%
Albany Technical College
1.7%
El Paso Community College
1.6%

Majors

Automotive Technology 51.2%
Business 8.4%
General Studies 4.3%
Precision Metal Working 4.1%
Industrial Technology 3.7%
Criminal Justice 3.4%
Electrical Engineering 2.7%
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies 2.7%
Electrical Engineering Technology 2.6%
Mechanical Engineering Technology 2.5%
Mechanical Engineering 2.1%
Heating And Air Conditioning 2.0%
Engineering 1.7%
Management 1.6%
Aviation 1.5%
Education 1.5%
Computer Science 1.3%
Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians 1.0%
Graphic Design 0.9%
Information Technology 0.9%

Degrees

Other
47.1%
Associate
19.9%
Certificate
13.5%
Bachelors
9.3%
Diploma
8.0%
Masters
1.6%
License
0.5%
Doctorate
0.1%

Diesel Mechanic

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

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Real Diesel Mechanic Salaries

Job Title	Company	Location	Start Date	Salary
Diesel Mechanic	Eurotech Contracting Co	Englewood, NJ	Aug 06, 2015	$57,491
Master Diesel Mechanic	A Gugie Jr., Inc.	Howell, NJ	Jan 07, 2015	$56,000
Diesel Mechanic	K & T Transport LLC	Linden, NJ	Jan 12, 2010	$55,431
Diesel Mechanic	4 Kings Vacuum Trucking	TX	Apr 01, 2011	$53,991
Diesel Mechanic	7 S Auto & Truck Sale LLC	Conley, GA	Nov 21, 2016	$52,520 - $57,520
Diesel Mechanic	AJW, Inc.	Wayne, NJ	Jul 02, 2010	$51,111
Diesel Mechanic	GMG Express	Burr Ridge, IL	Jul 18, 2016	$50,900
Diesel Mechanic	West Wind Express Inc.	Chicago, IL	Nov 10, 2016	$50,877
Diesel Mechanic	Mario's Trucking Services	Bensenville, IL	Jan 09, 2016	$50,877
Diesel Mechanic	A&D Truck & Trailer Repairs Inc.	Elk Grove Village, IL	Nov 18, 2016	$50,877
Diesel Mechanic	West Wind Express Inc.	Chicago, IL	Aug 08, 2016	$50,877
Diesel Mechanic	Leesville Auto Wreckers, Inc.	Rahway, NJ	Dec 27, 2010	$49,171
Diesel Mechanic	Polam Inc.	Philadelphia, PA	Oct 16, 2007	$47,542
Diesel Mechanic	United Group Express Inc.	Bensenville, IL	May 28, 2015	$47,216
Diesel Mechanic	Top Speed Trucking Delivery LLC	TN	Dec 23, 2016	$44,075
Diesel Mechanic	Dye-Namic, Inc.	New York, NY	Jun 02, 2010	$43,660
Diesel Mechanic	Crown Container Corp.	NY	Jan 20, 2010	$43,660
Bus-Diesel Mechanic	Mile Square Transportation	Yonkers, NY	May 20, 2011	$43,660
Diesel Mechanic	Ace Restoration Services, Inc.	New York, NY	Mar 23, 2011	$43,660
Diesel Mechanic (Truck Repair)	Ace Drive Products and Services, Inc.	Elizabeth, NJ	Oct 11, 2007	$43,514
Diesel Mechanic	Crown Container Corp.	NY	Dec 09, 2010	$43,430
Diesel Mechanic	Gerald Nissan, Inc.	Naperville, IL	Nov 27, 2007	$43,222
Diesel Mechanic	Pinto Bros Disposal, LLC	South Plainfield, NJ	Jul 12, 2010	$39,757
Diesel Mechanic	Aulick Leasing Corporation	Scottsbluff, NE	Oct 18, 2016	$39,507
Diesel Mechanic	Sercon Inc.	La Puente, CA	Dec 13, 2010	$39,486
Diesel Mechanic	Central Metal Inc.	Los Angeles, CA	Jun 16, 2008	$39,486
Diesel Mechanic	Kansas City Peterbilt	Kansas City, KS	Nov 10, 2010	$39,437
Diesel Mechanic	Solomon Trucking Inc.	Port Saint Lucie, FL	Feb 05, 2010	$39,069
Diesel Mechanic	Aulick Leasing Corporation	Scottsbluff, NE	Oct 01, 2015	$39,027
Diesel Mechanic	Aulick Leasing Corporation	Fort Morgan, CO	Sep 01, 2016	$38,505

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Top Skills for A Diesel Mechanic

Top Diesel Mechanic Skills

Diesel Engines
Tractor Trailers
Vehicle Deficiencies

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Experienced with all tools for working with diesel engines and vehicle upkeep.
Worked on tractor trailers, cranes, forklifts, loaders etc.
Determine vehicle condition by conducting inspections, diagnostic tests and correcting vehicle deficiencies.
Prepared routine, emergency and preventive maintenance schedules and delayed discrepancy monitor for maintenance and parts.
Examine protective guards, loose bolts, and specified safety devices on trucks, and make adjustments as needed.