What does a Diesel Mechanic do?
A diesel mechanic is a skilled technician responsible for the checking, maintenance, and repair of diesel engines. Diesel mechanics duties also include regular inspections of vehicles upon customer's request to ensure the smooth performance of the machine, communicate on any system issue that might cause malfunctions, and provide any replacement to renovate a damaged part of the engine. A diesel mechanic must be highly-knowledgeable on everything related to diesel engines to provide the best, long-term solutions for the customers.
Diesel mechanic responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real diesel mechanic resumes:
- 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.
- Utilize CDL to test drive vehicles.
- Maintain driveline and brake components of fleet trucks.
- Work as swing shift technician on all model Kenworth trucks.
- Fabricate ladders and safety catwalks.Install tanks on trucks.Install air brake lines.
- diagnose and repair all makes of on-highway truck with caterpillar engines.
- tire work are a must run overheads make driveline repairs, starters.
- Perform preventive maintenance and repairs on all company tractors trailers for commodities carriers.
- Service and r and r a wide range of caterpillar and komatsu equipment.
- Obtain CDL to allow the company to offer pickup and return of vehicles needing repair.
- Complete dot forms.-use various forklifts to unload and load trucks coming into the yard.-Completed maintenance on all forklifts on a bi-weekly basis
- Repair heavy diesels and maintain regular dot inspection
Diesel mechanic skills and personality traits
We calculated that 19% of Diesel Mechanics are proficient in CDL, Preventative Maintenance, and DOT. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Detail oriented, and Dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Diesel Mechanics that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- CDL, 19%
Possess NJ CDL Bus license and Certified Preventative Maintenance Inspector through First Student.
- Preventative Maintenance, 12%
Performed all preventative maintenance inspections, state and federal mandated safety inspections and completed repairs in accordance with DOT requirements.
- DOT, 11%
Performed DOT Qualified Inspections*performed scheduled maintenance on tractors and trailers*inspected, maintained, and repaired vehicles and machinery used in transportation.
- Hand Tools, 9%
Dismantled electronic equipment and removed faulty components for repair using hand tools.
- OSHA, 5%
Utilized OSHA safety procedures and hazardous material regulations on a daily basis.
- Diagnosis, 4%
Conducted general maintenance and repair of light to heavy diesel engines * Performed electronic diagnosis and chassis repairs
"cdl," "preventative maintenance," and "dot" are among the most common skills that diesel mechanics use at work. You can find even more diesel mechanic responsibilities below, including:
Customer-service skills. The most essential soft skill for a diesel mechanic to carry out their responsibilities is customer-service skills. This skill is important for the role because "diesel technicians frequently discuss automotive problems and necessary repairs with their customers." Additionally, a diesel mechanic resume shows how their duties depend on customer-service skills: "follow repair orders and customer complaints. "
Detail oriented. Another essential skill to perform diesel mechanic duties is detail oriented. Diesel mechanics responsibilities require that "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." Diesel mechanics also use detail oriented in their role according to a real resume snippet: "perform routine maintenance on used semi truckspaint and fix any cracked fiberglassdetail interior and exterior"
Dexterity. diesel mechanics are also known for dexterity, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to diesel mechanic responsibilities, because "mechanics need a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination for many tasks, such as disassembling engine parts, connecting or attaching components, and using hand tools." A diesel mechanic resume example shows how dexterity is used in the workplace: "service all rental equipment such as boom lifts, scissors lift, backhoes, air compressors etc. "
Mechanical skills. diesel mechanic responsibilities often require "mechanical skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "diesel technicians must be familiar with engine components and systems and know how they interact with each other." This resume example shows what diesel mechanics do with mechanical skills on a typical day: "diagnose diesel engines, air compressors and other locomotive mechanical system malfunctions. "
Organizational skills. A commonly-found skill in diesel mechanic job descriptions, "organizational skills" is essential to what diesel mechanics do. Diesel mechanic responsibilities rely on this skill because "diesel technicians must keep workspaces clean and organized in order to maintain safety and accountability for parts." You can also see how diesel mechanic duties rely on organizational skills in this resume example: "performed organizational maintenance, repair/replace components of the engine, cooling system, brake system, and hydraulic system. "
Physical strength. Another skill commonly found on diesel mechanic job descriptions is "physical strength." It can come up quite often in diesel mechanic duties, since "diesel technicians often lift heavy parts and tools, such as exhaust system components and pneumatic wrenches." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day diesel mechanic responsibilities: "perform visual and physical brake inspection, remove and install brake system components. "
The three companies that hire the most diesel mechanics are:
- Averitt Express773 diesel mechanics jobs
- United Rentals521 diesel mechanics jobs
- Ryder System469 diesel mechanics jobs
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Compare different diesel mechanics
Diesel mechanic vs. Automotive service technician
Automotive service technicians, often called service technicians, have a duty to inspect, maintain, and repair cars and even light trucks. It is their job as automotive service technicians to find problems, often by computerized diagnostic equipment. They do test parts and systems to guarantee that they work properly and follow checklists to ensure that every critical part is examined. Performing basic care and maintenance is also part of their main tasks, including changing oil, rotating tires, and checking fluid levels.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, diesel mechanic responsibilities require skills like "cdl," "preventative maintenance," "dot," and "osha." Meanwhile a typical automotive service technician has skills in areas such as "customer service," "manual dexterity," "customer satisfaction," and "ase." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Automotive service technicians earn the highest salaries when working in the health care industry, with an average yearly salary of $38,929. On the other hand, diesel mechanics are paid more in the energy industry with an average salary of $54,273.The education levels that automotive service technicians earn slightly differ from diesel mechanics. In particular, automotive service technicians are 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a diesel mechanic. Additionally, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Diesel mechanic vs. Auto technician
An auto technician specializes in performing inspections, repairs, and maintenance on different automotive vehicles ranging from small cars to light trucks. Their responsibilities revolve around identifying issues using various diagnostic tools to determine which course of action to take, discussing the extent of repairs to clients, and ordering car parts from suppliers. There are also instances when an auto technician may have the task of maintaining the cleanliness of the workplace, or participate in record-keeping and monitoring the inventory.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that diesel mechanic responsibilities requires skills like "cdl," "preventative maintenance," "dot," and "osha." But an auto technician might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "preventive maintenance," "customer vehicles," "customer service," and "manual dexterity."
On average, auto technicians earn a lower salary than diesel mechanics. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, auto technicians earn the most pay in the retail industry with an average salary of $38,823. Whereas diesel mechanics have higher pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $54,273.auto technicians earn similar levels of education than diesel mechanics in general. They're 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Diesel mechanic vs. Mechanic helper
The job of a mechanic helper is to support lead mechanics and perform a variety of duties and responsibilities. You will be assisting in the maintenance of cars, such as changing tires and oils, replacing brakes, and diagnosing vehicle issues. In addition, you will be responsible for logging labor costs and inventory use and take vehicles for test drives. Other duties include replacing belts and hoses, assisting the lead mechanic in major projects, and repairing and maintaining cars.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from diesel mechanic resumes include skills like "cdl," "preventative maintenance," "dot," and "osha," whereas a mechanic helper is more likely to list skills in "preventive maintenance," "safety equipment," "safety procedures," and "mechanical repairs. "
Mechanic helpers earn the highest salary when working in the professional industry, where they receive an average salary of $36,229. Comparatively, diesel mechanics have the highest earning potential in the energy industry, with an average salary of $54,273.mechanic helpers typically earn similar educational levels compared to diesel mechanics. Specifically, they're 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Diesel mechanic vs. Heavy equipment mechanic
A heavy equipment mechanic is responsible for operating the heavy machinery used in the production of various industries, inspecting inconsistencies, running diagnostic tests, and replacing defective components to ensure its operational safety and efficiency. Heavy equipment mechanics also upgrade engine systems to boost optimal performance, analyze damage costs, and repair equipment parts with the assistance of other mechanical staff. They work closely with the management, create maintenance reports, and suggesting resolutions to avoid delays in production and customer service.
Types of diesel mechanic
Updated January 8, 2025
