Diesel Technician Salary
The median annual wage for diesel technicians in the United States is $61,770, about $29.70 an hour (BLS, May 2025). The middle half earns $50,540 to $75,470. In the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area the median is $63,330.
Data as of May 2025.
Diesel Technician pay by percentile
| Percentile | United States | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $44,530 | $48,150 |
| 25th percentile | $50,540 | $54,010 |
| Median (50th) | $61,770 | $63,330 |
| 75th percentile | $75,470 | $74,620 |
| 90th percentile | $88,740 | $86,000 |
| Mean (average) | $64,320 | $65,700 |
| Workers employed | 289,960 | 3,550 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Hourly equivalent of the U.S. median: $29.70.
U.S. Range
10th to 90th percentile, annual wage
The shaded band is the middle half of workers: $50,540 to $75,470.
BLS counted 289,960 workers in "Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists" in May 2025. Their median annual wage was $61,770, so half earned less and half earned more. The mean was $64,320, pulled above the median by a smaller group of high earners. The lowest-paid tenth earned $44,530 or less and the highest-paid tenth earned $88,740 or more, about 2.0 times as much.
In the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area BLS counted 3,550 workers, about 1.2% of the national total. The metro median of $63,330 is 3% above the national median.
BLS reports this occupation as "Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists". It covers heavy truck dealers, fleets, bus operators and repair shops, so it is broader than dealership work alone.
Diesel Technician salary by state
Hawaii has the highest state median at $80,080 and West Virginia the lowest at $46,610, a gap of $33,470. 21 of 51 state medians are above the national figure. Arizona ranks 23rd at $61,680, 0% below the national median. State medians ignore cost of living.
Ten Highest State Medians
Median annual wage, BLS
Median Pay by State
All 51 state medians. Hover or tap a state for the annual and hourly figures.
What affects diesel technician pay
- Heavy-duty equipment is more complex and more expensive than passenger vehicles, and employers that depend on trucks staying on the road tend to value technicians who can diagnose engines, emissions and electrical systems quickly.
- Employer type shapes the pay plan. Truck dealers, large fleets, transit agencies and independent shops each structure pay differently, and some include shift premiums or on-call pay that a base wage does not show.
- Training and certification count. ASE offers a Medium/Heavy Truck test series, and engine and truck makers run their own training. Employers decide whether to pay more for either, and BLS does not publish a certification premium.
- A commercial driver license is not part of the BLS definition of this occupation, but some employers want technicians who can move customer or fleet vehicles, which can affect which jobs you qualify for.
Career Path and Pay
Many diesel technicians begin as an apprentice or in preventive maintenance, handling inspections, fluids and brakes on trucks and buses. With experience they move into engine, electrical and emissions diagnostics, the work that keeps expensive equipment earning money for its owner.
Advancement usually means becoming a lead technician, shop foreman or service manager, or moving to a manufacturer role such as field service or training. Fleets and dealers weigh these paths differently, so the pay mix can include salary, bonuses or on-call pay.
What a Diesel Technician does
- Diagnose engine, fuel, emissions and aftertreatment problems on diesel vehicles.
- Service and repair brakes, drivetrains, suspension and electrical systems.
- Perform scheduled maintenance and document the work on repair orders.
Certifications and Training
- ASE offers a Medium-Heavy Truck test series (T1 to T8) that covers areas such as diesel engines, brakes and electrical systems.
- Engine and truck manufacturers run their own training programs for diesel technicians.
Diesel Technician salary: common questions
How much does a diesel technician make?
The median is $61,770 a year, about $29.70 an hour (BLS, May 2025). The middle half earns $50,540 to $75,470.
How much does a diesel technician make in Phoenix, Arizona?
The Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ median is $63,330, about $30.45 an hour, and the middle half earns $54,010 to $74,620.
What do the highest- and lowest-paid diesel technicians earn?
Nationally, the top tenth earn $88,740 or more and the bottom tenth earn $44,530 or less. BLS does not report pay by years of experience, so these are not formal entry-level or senior figures.
Which state pays diesel technicians the most?
Hawaii ($80,080), then Washington ($77,900) and Alaska ($75,580).
What training does a diesel technician need?
Many employers prefer or require formal training in diesel technology from a trade school or community college, and others train on the job. ASE offers a Medium/Heavy Truck certification series, and engine and truck makers run their own programs.
Is a commercial driver license required?
BLS does not list a commercial driver license as a requirement of the occupation. Some employers want technicians who can move or road test heavy vehicles, so having one can widen the jobs you qualify for.
Does this salary data cover automotive dealerships only?
No. BLS reports this occupation as "Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists". It covers heavy truck dealers, fleets, bus operators and repair shops, so it is broader than dealership work alone.
How these numbers are calculated
Wages are BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) estimates for May 2025. They cover wage and salary workers, count commissions and production bonuses, and leave out the self-employed, overtime and benefits. Hourly figures are the annual wage divided by 2,080 hours, a conversion AutoHire adds. A dash means BLS did not publish a figure.
BLS publishes May 2026 estimates in spring 2027. This page updates when they are released.
Sources
Data as of May 2025.
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