How Much Does a Diesel Mechanic Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$61,770
Diesel mechanics in the U.S. earn a median of $61,770 a year, or $29.70 an hour. Half of diesel mechanics earn more than $61,770 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $88,740.
Pay percentiles for diesel mechanics
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21.41 | $44,530 |
| 25th | $24.30 | $50,540 |
| 50th (median) | $29.70 | $61,770 |
| 75th | $36.29 | $75,470 |
| 90th | $42.66 | $88,740 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists (SOC 49-3031). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for diesel mechanics
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $80,080 | $38.50 | +30% |
| Washington | $77,900 | $37.45 | +26% |
| Alaska | $75,580 | $36.34 | +22% |
| Maryland | $74,790 | $35.96 | +21% |
| California | $73,950 | $35.55 | +20% |
| Massachusetts | $73,270 | $35.23 | +19% |
| New Jersey | $72,340 | $34.78 | +17% |
| New Hampshire | $71,390 | $34.32 | +16% |
| Colorado | $70,480 | $33.89 | +14% |
| New York | $70,100 | $33.70 | +13% |
| United States | $61,770 | $29.70 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many diesel mechanics are there?
BLS counts about 289,960 diesel mechanics employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists”. The most jobs are in Texas (29,870), California (20,940) and Florida (14,900).
The mean (average) annual wage is $64,320, higher than the median of $61,770.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $5,148
- Biweekly
- $2,376
- Weekly
- $1,188
- Daily (8 hours)
- $238
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do diesel mechanics make an hour?
The median hourly wage for diesel mechanics is $29.70. The middle 50% earn between $24.30 and $36.29 an hour.
Which state pays diesel mechanics the most?
Hawaii has the highest median wage for diesel mechanics at $80,080, +30% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for diesel mechanics?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of diesel mechanics earn less than $44,530 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.