### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Diesel Service Technicians and Mechanics Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            									
							
				                                                
                                            




            			diesel service technicians and mechanics imageDiesel service technicians and mechanics repair diesel engine vehicles, such as buses and trucks.							
						Quick Facts:     Diesel Service Technicians and Mechanics2023     Median Pay
            						$58,970     per year
										$28.35     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    High school diploma or equivalentWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Long-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    291,600Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    1% (Little or no change)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    2,500What Diesel Service Technicians and Mechanics Do
                                                
                        
                        
Diesel service technicians and mechanics inspect, repair, and overhaul buses, trucks, or any vehicle with a diesel engine.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Diesel service technicians and mechanics usually work in well-ventilated and sometimes noisy repair shops. They occasionally repair vehicles on roadsides or at worksites. Most diesel technicians work full time, and overtime and evening shifts are common.
            
                                                How to Become a Diesel Service Technician or Mechanic
                                                
                        
Although most diesel service technicians and mechanics learn on the job after a high school education, employers are increasingly preferring applicants who have completed postsecondary training programs in diesel engine repair. In addition, industry certification may be important.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for diesel service technicians and mechanics was $58,970 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of diesel service technicians and mechanics is projected to show little or no change							 from 2022 to 2032.
						Despite  limited  employment growth, about 24,300 openings for diesel service technicians and mechanics are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for diesel service technicians and mechanics.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of diesel service technicians and mechanics with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about diesel service technicians and mechanics by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Diesel Service Technicians and Mechanics Do 
            

			Diesel service technicians and mechanicsDiesel service technicians and mechanics may work on a vehicle’s electrical system, make major engine repairs, or retrofit engines with emission control systems to comply with pollution regulations.			
Diesel service technicians and mechanics (also known as *diesel technicians*) inspect, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engine.
Duties
Diesel service technicians and mechanics typically do the following:
Consult with customers,  read work orders, and determine work required
Plan work procedures, using technical charts and manuals
Inspect brake systems, steering mechanisms, transmissions, engines, and other parts of vehicles
Follow checklists to ensure that all critical parts are examined
Read and interpret diagnostic test results to identify mechanical problems
Repair or replace malfunctioning components, parts, and other mechanical or electrical equipment
Perform basic care and maintenance, including changing oil, checking fluid levels, and rotating tires
Test-drive vehicles to ensure that they run smoothlyBecause of their efficiency and durability, diesel engines have become the standard in powering trucks and buses. Other heavy vehicles and mobile equipment, including bulldozers and cranes, also are powered by diesel engines, as are many commercial boats and some passenger vehicles and pickups.
Diesel technicians make major and minor engine repairs, and work on a vehicle’s electrical and exhaust systems to comply with pollution regulations.
Diesel engine maintenance and repair is becoming more complex as engines and other components use more electronic systems to control their operation. For example, fuel injection and engine timing systems rely on microprocessors to maximize fuel efficiency and minimize harmful emissions. In most shops, workers often use hand-held or laptop computers to diagnose problems and adjust engine functions.
Diesel technicians also use a variety of power and machine tools, such as pneumatic wrenches, lathes, grinding machines, and welding equipment. Hand tools, including pliers, sockets and ratchets, and screwdrivers, are commonly used.
Employers typically provide expensive power tools and computerized equipment, but workers generally acquire their own hand tools over time.
Technicians and mechanics who work primarily on automobiles are described in the profile on automotive service technicians and mechanics.
Technicians and mechanics who work primarily on farm equipment, construction vehicles, and railcars, are described in the profile on heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians.
Technicians and mechanics who work primarily on motorboats, motorcycles, and small all-terrain vehicles are described in the small engine mechanics profile.
 Work Environment
			Diesel service technicians and mechanicsDiesel technicians usually work in well-ventilated and sometimes noisy repair shops.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Diesel service technicians and mechanics held about 291,600 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of diesel service technicians and mechanics were as follows:
        Truck transportation
                20%Wholesale trade
                15Automotive repair and maintenance
                9Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                9Rental and leasing services
                6Diesel technicians usually work in well-ventilated and sometimes noisy repair shops. They occasionally repair vehicles on roadsides or at worksites.
Injuries and Illnesses
Diesel service technicians and mechanics often lift heavy parts and tools, handle greasy or dirty equipment, and work in uncomfortable positions. Sprains and cuts are common among these workers. Diesel technicians need to follow some safety precautions when in the workplace.
Work Schedules
Most diesel technicians work full time. Overtime is common, as many repair shops extend their service hours during evenings and weekends. In addition, some truck and bus repair shops provide 24-hour maintenance and repair services.
 How to Become a Diesel Service Technician or Mechanic

			Diesel service technicians and mechanicsDiesel technicians initially learn to perform routine maintenance and repair tasks.			
Although most diesel technicians learn on the job after a high school education, employers are increasingly preferring applicants who have completed postsecondary training programs in diesel engine repair. In addition, obtaining industry certification may be helpful because certification demonstrates 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.
Some employers prefer to hire workers with postsecondary education in diesel engine repair. Many community colleges and trade and vocational schools offer certificate or degree programs in diesel engine repair.
These degree programs mix classroom instruction with hands-on training and include learning 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 drivetrains, electronic systems, and 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 that 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, and 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 accountability for parts.
***Physical strength.***Diesel technicians often lift heavy parts and tools, such as exhaust system components and pneumatic wrenches.
***Troubleshooting skills*.** Diesel technicians use diagnostic equipment on engine systems and components in order to identify and fix problems in mechanical and electronic systems. They must be familiar with electronic control systems and the appropriate tools needed to fix and maintain them.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Diesel Service Technicians and MechanicsMedian annual wages, May 2023Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists$58,970  Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers$50,790  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for diesel service technicians and mechanics was $58,970 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $39,020, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $82,430.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for diesel service technicians and mechanics in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                $70,710Wholesale trade
                60,980Automotive repair and maintenance
                57,590Rental and leasing services
                56,020Truck transportation
                52,820Many diesel technicians, especially those employed by truck fleet dealers and repair shops, receive a commission in addition to their base salary.
Most diesel technicians work full time. Overtime is common, as many repair shops extend their service hours during evenings and weekends. In addition, some truck and bus repair shops provide 24-hour maintenance and repair services.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Diesel Service Technicians and MechanicsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Total, all occupations3%  Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers2%  Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists1%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of diesel service technicians and mechanics is projected to show little or no change				 from 2022 to 2032.
			
			Despite  limited  employment growth, about 24,300 openings for diesel service technicians and mechanics are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
As more freight is shipped across the country, additional diesel-powered trucks will be needed to carry freight wherever trains and pipelines are neither available nor economical. In addition, aging vehicles with diesel engines are likely to require more maintenance and repair, supporting the need for diesel technicians.
However, demand for these workers may be reduced as more firms turn away from diesel-powered trucks in favor of electric ones, which require less maintenance and repair. For example, trucks used for short-haul transportation, such as local delivery services, are expected to increasingly be electric.
			

                        Employment projections data for     diesel service technicians and mechanics, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists**
			49-3031
			291,600
			294,100
			1
			2,500
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of diesel service technicians and mechanics. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians**
            Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians repair and perform scheduled maintenance on aircraft.
            See How to Become One
            $75,400**Automotive Body and Glass Repairers**
            Automotive body and glass repairers restore, refinish, and replace vehicle bodies and frames, windshields, and window glass.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $48,450**Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics**
            Automotive service technicians and mechanics inspect, maintain, and repair cars and light trucks.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $47,770**Heavy Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Service Technicians**
            Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians inspect, maintain, and repair vehicles and machinery used in construction, farming, and other industries.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $61,000**Small Engine Mechanics**
            Small engine mechanics inspect, service, and repair motorized power equipment.
            See How to Become One
            $46,500
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about careers and education for diesel service technicians and mechanics, visit
Association of Diesel Specialists
National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation
For more information about certification, visit
National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Diesel Service Technicians and Mechanics, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/diesel-service-technicians-and-mechanics.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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