Diesel Mechanic Salary

Becoming a diesel mechanic can pave the way for a comfortable life that is filled with many perks. Job security, health benefits and the potential for overtime pay all contribute to the advantages of working as a diesel mechanic. Salaries differ according to geographic location, although there is a nationwide opportunity to earn a steady income in this line of work. In areas where the demand is greater, diesel mechanics see their annual pay rates elevated. That means getting started on a career as a diesel mechanic today can provide a comfortable life for your future. A diesel mechanic education can be the first step in that process, which is exciting, rewarding and lucrative.

A diesel mechanic’s annual salary comes out to be a broad figure when trying to arrive at a national average. The complied statistics fail to factor in the exact role, experience and location of a diesel mechanic. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has set the national median salary for diesel mechanics at $45,170 per year. Meanwhile, the top 10% of diesel mechanics earn an average median salary of $67,550 annually. Those statistics show how much room there is for advancement when it comes to a diesel mechanic’s annual salary.

According to those figures, the pay rate for a diesel mechanic ranges between $21.72 and $32.48 per hour. That does not account for overtime pay, nor the inclusion of health benefits. Diesel mechanics employed by local governments feature high pay rates, with a yearly average that exceeds $53,000. Those who work for in the Electric Power Generation, and Transmission and Distribution sectors claim an average salary of more than $63,000 per year.

Salary projections for diesel mechanics continue to increase as job growth is also on the rise. The need for more diesel mechanics has allowed for the negotiation of higher pay rates. This trend is expected to continue as diesel mechanics have the opportunity to make a comfortable living for many years to come.

The salary of a diesel mechanic can add up to different amounts and a lot of that has to do with location. Currently, Alaska is the highest paying state for diesel mechanics, although there is a lot of earning potential in every state. Here is a state by state breakdown of the annual median and top salaries for diesel mechanics in the United States.

• Median: $39,040 yearly ($18.77 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $59,710 yearly ($28.71 hourly)

• Median: $63,170 yearly ($30.37 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $84,900 yearly ($40.82 hourly)

• Median: $41,570 yearly ($19.99 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $62,450 yearly ($30.02 hourly)

• Median: $35,890 yearly ($17.30 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $57,470 yearly ($27.63 hourly)

• Median: $52,040 yearly ($25.02 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $76,780 yearly ($36.91 hourly)

• Median: $48,870 yearly ($23.50 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $70,800 yearly ($34.04 hourly)

• Median: $53,880 yearly ($25.91 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $76,670 yearly ($36.86 hourly)

• Median: $47,980 yearly ($23.07 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $61,630 yearly ($29.63 hourly)

• Median: $56,470 yearly ($27.15 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $77,770 yearly ($37.39 hourly)

• Median: $44,500 yearly ($21.39 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $64,790 yearly ($31.15 hourly)

• Median: $43,800 yearly ($21.06 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $65,450 yearly ($31.46 hourly)

• Median: $56,150 yearly ($27.00 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $76,680 yearly ($36.87 hourly)

• Median: $38,900 yearly ($18.70 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $57,000 yearly ($27.41 hourly)

• Median: $47,620 yearly ($22.90 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $74,300 yearly ($35.72 hourly)

• Median: $41,110 yearly ($19.76 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $60,270 yearly ($28.98 hourly)

• Median: $40,330 yearly ($19.39 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $59,750 yearly ($28.72 hourly)

• Median: $39,520 yearly ($19.00 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $59,750 yearly ($28.73 hourly)

• Median: $41,910 yearly ($20.15 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $62,560 yearly ($30.08 hourly)

• Median: $43,200 yearly ($20.77 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $64,190 yearly ($30.86 hourly)

• Median: $42,950 yearly ($20.48 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $58,320 yearly ($28.04 hourly)

• Median: $48,390 yearly ($23.26 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $71,800 yearly ($34.52 hourly)

• Median: $54,540 yearly ($26.22 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $76,860 yearly ($36.95 hourly)

• Median: $41,910 yearly ($20.15 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $60,390 yearly ($29.03 hourly)

• Median: $48,100 yearly ($23.13 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $66,350 yearly ($31.90 hourly)

• Median: $35,380 yearly ($17.01 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $54,840 yearly ($26.37 hourly)

• Median: $41,820 yearly ($20.11 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $61,140 yearly ($29.53 hourly)

• Median: $41,000 yearly ($19.71 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $65,340 yearly ($31.41 hourly)

• Median: $42,030 yearly ($20.21 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $61,330 yearly ($29.48 hourly)

• Median: $55,100 yearly ($26.49 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $77,530 yearly ($37.27 hourly)

• Median: $45,360 yearly ($21.81 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $62,770 yearly ($30.18 hourly)

• Median: $55,020 yearly ($26.45 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $75,430 yearly ($36.27 hourly)

• Median: $40,870 yearly ($19.65 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $63,360 yearly ($30.46 hourly)

• Median: $51,250 yearly ($24.64 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $78,430 yearly ($37.71 hourly)

• Median: $41,690 yearly ($20.04 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $61,290 yearly ($29.47 hourly)

• Median: $50,710 yearly ($24.38 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $73,380 yearly ($35.28 hourly)

• Median: $43,500 yearly ($20.92 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $62,450 yearly ($30.02 hourly)

• Median: $39,860 yearly ($19.16 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $63,140 yearly ($30.35 hourly)

• Median: $47,240 yearly ($22.71 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $62,450 yearly ($30.02 hourly)

• Median: $43,440 yearly ($20.89 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $61,550 yearly ($29.59 hourly)

• Median: $47,430 yearly ($22.80 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $61,650 yearly ($29.64 hourly)

• Median: $38,310 yearly ($18.42 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $59,290 yearly ($28.50 hourly)

• Median: $41,020 yearly ($19.72 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $56,330 yearly ($27.08 hourly)

• Median: $42,920 yearly ($20.63 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $62,010 yearly ($29.81 hourly)

• Median: $44,570 yearly ($21.43 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $64,260 yearly ($30.90 hourly)

• Median: $45,720 yearly ($21.98 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $66,990 yearly ($32.20 hourly)

• Median: $45,080 yearly ($21.67 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $63,360 yearly ($30.46 hourly)

• Median: $53,080 yearly ($25.52 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $74,030 yearly ($35.59 hourly)

• Median: $37,260 yearly ($17.92 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $52,950 yearly ($25.46 hourly)

• Median: $44,880 yearly ($21.58 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $61,280 yearly ($29.46 hourly)

• Median: $53,970 yearly ($25.95 hourly)
• Top 10 percent: $77,250 yearly ($37.14 hourly)

Diesel mechanic jobs are not relegated to metropolitan areas. However, some metropolitan areas have higher concentrations of diesel mechanics than others. Those who are looking to find a position as a diesel mechanic in a metropolitan area may wish to consider the specific location in terms of annual salaries. Below is a look at the highest paying metropolitan areas for diesel mechanics.

There are other metropolitan areas that have higher rates of employment. Ranking atop that category is New York and that is followed by Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta and Phoenix. Those cities also rank well in terms of average yearly salaries.

There are different ways diesel mechanics are paid and a lot of that depends on their place of employment. Many diesel mechanics are paid on an hourly basis and that provides them with the opportunity to earn overtime pay. Workplaces that offer weekend and nightly hours provide the chance for diesel mechanics to make a lot of additional income. Diesel mechanics, who are paid a base salary, may also have the chance to earn additional pay incentives. Commission pay is sometimes offered to diesel mechanics, who work for a fleet dealership.

When it comes to paying diesel mechanics, experience is always a plus. A diesel mechanic who can show an ample amount of experience may be able to negotiate a higher salary. However, certifications and education should not be overlooked. Diesel mechanics that have graduated from a post-secondary program bring a high level of qualification to any company. And those with certifications have established themselves as elite members of this profession. This is why it is important to acquire as many credentials as possible when negotiating a diesel mechanic salary.