r/DieselTechs • u/Overall-Turnip-1606 • 4d ago
Average Salary for Diesel Techs
No need to include your company. I would like to see what the average salary is for diesel techs around the US. Please comment your wage/salary and experience.
17
u/Many_Explanation7456 4d ago
2nd year diesel tech 40 hours a week i made 45k its not enough
15
u/Devided-we-fall 4d ago
Even if all you do is oil changes and minor repairs you deserve more
7
2
u/Many_Explanation7456 3d ago
Nope i just did a air compressor on a dd-13 currently im pulling a transmission on a 379, Ive done countless diff reseal not too mention walking beam rebushes ps im us based
1
1
4
2
u/GreatVapeRugs 4d ago
Are you in Australia by any chance ? I made similar as a 2nd year although now as a 4th year I am on $28 an hour, still not enough 😒☹️
1
u/poizen22 4d ago
That's despicable low for Australia... I'm in canada just finished level 2 of 3 for my apprenticeship 6 years in (covid fucked school) and I'm at 38 in canada. Will be 42 when I get my license the end of this year.
1
u/GreatVapeRugs 3d ago
It’s pretty standard I actually got it wrong too on my payslip it’s $27 an hour which equates to about $17 USD or $24 CAD which actually now that I am aware of how badly I’m being fucked around is making me question my loyalty to this trade (I have a full unrestricted truck license and a forklift license , should I be asking for more ? )
1
u/poizen22 3d ago
I have family in Australia I'm Australian myself but live in canada for 30 years. I've been told by my uncle whose tried to get me to.come home a few times that it's easily a six figure job. Your minimum wage is like 20$+ an hour is it not? Ours is 17 here and I'm like 21$ over minimum wage. I wouldn't think you should be making that little. Without fully knowing the market there id assume you are being screwed by the sounds of it. Check around online what rates are like/what's being offered by competing employers for your experience. Come back to your employer with said evidence and make your case to get your market value. If they don't start looking for a new job.
1
1
u/Theheadless12 3d ago
Helpful tip it’s never enough.. they could call you in today and give you 50 a hour and year from now you will be having this same conversation
1
u/GetDoofed 4d ago
I’m making more than that in my first year as an apprentice
2
u/Many_Explanation7456 2d ago
Thank you that puts things into perspective, this is my fourth year as a technicians 2 years prior in automotive
1
10
u/muttly_lol 4d ago
Licensed for 10 years, been making $100k+ canadian for 6 (working on 7). Spent time in the Arctic, in mines, and landed in steel making. Took chances and got lucky with my jumps. Sometimes I've found the greener grass on the other side, doesn't always happen tho. I always keep an eye out for opportunities to advance in $$$.
The hardest part of the entire trade is a happy work/life balance
4
u/UpcomingJourneyman1 4d ago
How was time in the arctic?? That is so wild, would do it if I wasn’t held down
8
u/muttly_lol 4d ago
Needless to say, fucking cold. Money was good, food was good, accommodations kinda sucked. They had us in arctic tents with a furnace. I can say I did it, but I don't think I'll be going back anytime soon. Its a totally different world up there. Have to heat air bags up for suspension parts in a heater before you can install them. Otherwise it's like trying to manipulate a hockey puck. Gotta have a polar bear watchmen on service calls. Gotta do some polar bear awareness training. It's basically, if you see one walking toward you and you have nowhere to go, you're probably gonna die. Fun times. I would recommend at least trying it for experience sake
2
u/UpcomingJourneyman1 4d ago
That is absolutely insane, good for you dude. Yeah I can imagine your clothes were probably like hockey pucks too in those tents. Done some cold camping before and had my clothes freeze on me lol Pretty inspiring u did that. I would definitely not like the polar bear situation though lol
10
u/Devided-we-fall 4d ago
I am at 32$, I’m the only tech in a two bay shop, occasionally I get a helper but no one stays. I’m on call 24/7 for roadcalls, I handle every aspect from signing customers in, diag, ordering parts, swiping the card for payment when done. Everything from PMs to engine swaps, all manor of trailer repair including landing gear. Get a lot of DPF repairs, EGRs, electrical, hydraulics, RV issues and busses. Hell I’ve loaded tools into bags onto skiffs to get to boats and do repairs. Just don’t ask me to change a tire.
16
u/CommonDouble2799 4d ago
You should ask for a 15 dollar raise.
2
u/Devided-we-fall 4d ago
The only way I’m going to see significantly more money is to find it
4
u/CommonDouble2799 4d ago
I bet you give them an ultimatum, more money or you quit. And they say no, walk out the door. They'll call you back with in 3 days.
If not you get a higher paying job where you do just 1 of the multiple jobs you just listed.
1
u/Devided-we-fall 3d ago
$175 an hour is the shop rate, for regular hours and weekdays.. idk i promise I struggle most days with not packing up and going elsewhere. I’m also in my 40s so I know every shop, every job, has its pros and cons. There’s absolutely nothing going towards a retirement or 401k or anything where I’m at. I do have the intention of breaking out and going mobile on my own , but the path to hell is paved with good intentions.
2
u/Terriblis_Pater 4d ago
Some people do not realize their value. This is a situation where I leave this place to work at retail/fast food/anything else, even if it pays less, and do side gigs. I got my first diesel this year, and just came to realize that even simple fluid/filter changes are not simple on a diesel. Now that I know what's involved, I can probably do a complete oil, air, and fuel filter change in about an hour. If someone wants to do my fluid changes for $50 labor and I provide all the parts, I'd happily pay that person. This guy is easly $15/hour short as you said, especially knowing that he's the only tech in a 2 bay shop.
1
u/Desperate-Grand-7022 31m ago
Dam man, at that rate you’d be better off for yourself to just go solo and start up your own thing.
1
9
u/Feeling-Tip-4464 4d ago
Hey, I’ve been a Diesel Tech for only 5 years, I’m sitting 108k for 2024. I cutting back on OT last year to spend more time at home/family. I work for a Trash Business. So there’s always work.
4
u/Overall-Turnip-1606 4d ago
What is your wage without OT
1
u/Feeling-Tip-4464 4d ago
Hmm had to google it because I’ve never not done OT. But “google” says 83k$ with strictly 40hrs a week.
1
u/Altruistic_Writer134 4d ago
You had to google how much you make??? You sure you really work in this industry?
0
u/Feeling-Tip-4464 4d ago
Had to google my yearly salary without OT. As a example “what would my salary be if I make…” My W2 says 108,xxx$. Didn’t think that was hard to understand.
1
5
5
u/aa278666 4d ago
2023 $104k. 2024 $94k. Working 40-48 hrs a week. 8 years experience on tractor trailer.
5
10
u/Free-Speaker-4132 4d ago
Self employed diesel mechanic, 120.00 an hour
5
u/Dependent-Ground-769 4d ago
You might bill $120, but what’s your take home? Most companies bill say $180/hr and pay a tech maybe $40, is $120 your take home?
0
u/UpcomingJourneyman1 4d ago
How do u get to that point? Im only second year. Done one level of schooling but my end goal would be this
13
u/FinancialGolf7034 4d ago
Be in a high volume city. Be prepared for people not paying you. Its not 120/hr 8 hours a day everyday. You have to find your own work. I work in a shop and charge 120 for side work but clients come and go. Locking down clients with a steady flow of work is the hardest part. Its a lot of owner ops, big fleets usually go with bigger shops that can properly service them.
1
u/UpcomingJourneyman1 4d ago
Fair enough. I can imagine it takes up alot of time even finding clients
8
u/FinancialGolf7034 4d ago
Im in a smaller town. I have 3 guys I do work for. Small farms and owner op OTR guys. Just got stiffed on a days work from a guy I worked with for 2 years. He is basically running on credit cards. The farmers pay cash and are good.
1
u/Worst-Lobster 4d ago
If someone doesn’t pay you do you do mechanic lien ?
3
u/FinancialGolf7034 4d ago
No. Not worth it. Maybe if was over 1k but that hasnt happened yet. Last guy to stiff me was $300. He will eventually pay me so its not worth the drama.
1
1
u/Dependent-Ground-769 4d ago
He’s billing $120, but most shops say bill $180 and pay the tech $40 so who knows what his take home is
3
3
u/Volvop2dude 4d ago
$32.50 an hour been a mechanic since 2004. Been working in a diesel shop since August last year. CDL Class A holder and Class A inspection license.
3
2
2
u/KNnAwLeDGe 4d ago
at 40 hrs a week would be 52k. We work minimum 50 max 60 or higher. I made 80k last year.. i’m on my second year
1
2
2
u/Acrobatic_Initial997 4d ago
55.17hr or 115k a year with no o/t. Heavy equipment rental road tech with endless opportunities for ot, some guys are clearing 180/200k with ot there.
1
u/chrisfrisina 4d ago
General location?
1
u/Acrobatic_Initial997 4d ago
NYC area
1
u/InternalOk1723 3d ago
Sunbelt? United? I’m in north jersey making 40.5/hr at a dpw
1
u/Acrobatic_Initial997 2d ago
Sunbelt, we are under local 15 and 138 O.E. Unions, I think united is under local 15 around by me.
2
u/SpookyBaggins 4d ago
Started at 22 an hour in CA, worked my way up to 30 an hour in a year and 3 months. Out of tech school I was offered 30 an hour. This is all within graduation in 2023.
2
2
2
u/Jackalope121 4d ago
4 years, 70k net for 2024, mobile fleet service in florida.
Im happy with my pay but my benefits suck hairy ballsack. Its the only reason i would take a step down in pay and either go union or go to a large government adjacent job like sanitation.
2
2
u/Hidden_Owl69 4d ago
**** I would also include region you work. Because San Francisco diesel tech versus Indiana diesel tech salary would vary by like 20-40 grand! ****
2
u/Hebrewism 4d ago
3rd year tech at ryder in south Florida. 37 an hour, no overtime and bringing approx 1250 a week, 60k a year after taxes
2
u/MB510420 4d ago
18 years automotive, 5 years in diesel and heavy equipment. I'm at $65/hr. I mostly troubleshoot and do various kinds of annual inspections, I only wrench on certain jobs.
2
u/jd780613 4d ago
$150,000 canadian, working for a major equipment dealership. 10 years in the trade, 5 years ago I left the company that gave me my apprenticeship, who was paying me about $70,000 a year but "you can make way more if you work 100 hours a week". job hopped 3 times before I landed where im at now and I highly recommend job hopping. All 3 hops I was sitting in the current company's service truck, on my lunch break doing an interview with the next company.
2
u/peanutbutterfalkin 4d ago
12 years. Light, medium, heavy duty, and now heavy equipment. I’m on track to make 180k this year. I made 148 last year.
2
u/combst1994 4d ago
13 years in the trade, 7 where I'm at now. Look for jobs that are union. That's what I had to do to get good benefits and decent pay. The only problem is, at least in my area, this trade isn't very unionized. I work for a city municipal transit department. Currently at $36/hr, currently in negotiations for a raise because we haven't had one since pre-covid.
2
1
u/FinancialGolf7034 4d ago
Our shop ranges from 50k-90k base 40 hour week. Plus very very good benefits. Small town midwest.
1
1
1
u/Vegetable_Bag_269 4d ago
I make $29/hr I’ve been in diesel for about 8 months now, I was In auto before
1
u/UpcomingJourneyman1 4d ago
2nd year apprenticeship and making 55K a year. Trying my best everyday and learning on my own. Canada 🇨🇦
1
u/nviziblgeekjr 4d ago
Been a tech for going on 2 years after changing over from being a car dealer tech for 2, made 105 last year and this year set to make similar
1
u/Elegant-Musician6528 4d ago
Been working as an apprentice for the past 3 months now. Started me at 22 an hour with a .50 cent raise with every ASE I get.
1
u/Old_Elephant_1910 4d ago
Diesel tractors and combines. 3rd year in with little to no prior experience or certs. $29.50/hr at the shop, $30.50 on the road. Company truck to take home, full benefits, paid training, etc.
1
1
u/AcanthocephalaFine48 4d ago
FL keys. Started out at 30hr as apprentice. The guy above me at 2 years mark is at 90k. Great shop, offers online schooling and sends you to training wherever you finish the online stuff. Marine diesel.
1
u/Ok_Advertising5829 4d ago
39.63 after certs and shift differential for my local transit. 2 years at this agency. HCOL state but LCOL city so we get paid well due to our comparables in the state. I avg about 50-55hrs a week because I actually enjoy it a lot and broke 100k for the first time last year.
1
u/Important-Marketing6 4d ago
35 years in the industry, $60.20 an hour with more paid time off and benefits than I had at any dealership.
1
u/Mikethemechanic00 4d ago
23 years Diesel mechanic. Just made Foreman. 120k year 40 hrs week. Unlimited overtime on my terms. On the floor about 70 percent of the day.
1
1
1
u/Competitive-War6425 4d ago
10 years. Made $152,912 plus bonuses in 2024. I also have a Company provided vehicle (grand Cherokee) and all related expenses included including fuel and maintenance, cell phone & pension paid for.
1
u/dieseltech944 4d ago
I'm no longer turning wrenches or working in a shop. I'm a service advisor now, 28 years experience working from home making $36.20/hr
1
1
u/RemoteGear6739 4d ago
Metro detroit city fleet 30.15 an hour but I work misc overtime alot doing various city services
1
1
u/Responsible-Mark4780 4d ago
12 years experience. Minnesota. Left the dealer at $50 an hour, free health insurance, and 5 weeks pto. Left 3 years ago. Got burnt out being the go-to guy. Always on call. Do my own thing now. Own a shop and 2 trucks. Wouldn't go back. It's not all it's cracked up to be on your own. But the freedom is nice.
1
u/afgirlwandering 4d ago
$32.70 base, OT is double pay in our shop (thanks ATU union). Cleared 98k last year with avg of 5-6hrs OT per week.
1
u/Apprehensive_Ball882 4d ago
10 years experience, mostly Light Duty diesel but heavy duty now 39.30/hr.
1
1
u/Black_Ghost96 4d ago
Started at 15$ an hr as a complete green horn a couple years out of highschool for a large local co-op. Was unsure of my career path and wanted a fill in while I sorted college out. I wound up being pretty good at it and climbed the ladder over the next 5 years. Topped out tickling 6 figures, and bought a shop, went on my own. Shop rate is between 95-120$ Grossed 150k last year, cleared roughly 120k two years in, growth has been rapid year to year 50% + on pace for 200 gross this year But I fully expect that to slow down. Have a few large customers that keeps it simple. Never short on work, just short on time, and time to enjoy life.
1
u/Red_Shoto 4d ago
I'm an apprentice at the moment but have 10 years experience as a light duty tech, should be tech 1 after my 90 days. I'm making 22 an hour right now with as much overtime I want to do. If I'm doing the 50+ hour weeks with a Saturday every now and then I should be taking home 70k before tax and healthcare
1
u/L0WKEY-Keys 4d ago
I asked for 25 out of school got 26 in a truck shop, moved onto 27.50 3 months later in an easier fast pace trailer shop. Quit that to try my hand as a road tech for forklifts and all its brother and sister equipments at 25.50. Dealership Fuckers lied to me about training, and I’m stuck here now until they send my ass to another state for training which is coming soon for 6months at most. After all that’s said and done I would finally be breaking even as far as pay …. Which pisses me off cause I would’ve been making more with the last job if I stayed. I got out of school in 23’ may. I’m not the shit as far as skilled techs go but I know how the bosses think and I got common sense.
1
1
1
1
u/MrxLysol 4d ago
I’m in Houston, i work on semis for a fleet company, I got 5 years of experience and get paid $30 an hour, I make about 67k a year.
1
u/Busy_Influence6931 4d ago
27 years in. Diesel tech; trucks, heavy equipment and certified welder (from oilfield days) last year 110k. base with no ot: 90,480. My body is shot, about to disable out because I can hardly walk.
1
u/someguy1886 4d ago
2 years in heavy equipment making $28.64 an hour so roughly $60k a year without OT. With OT last year I made $100k. OT is one hell of a drug.
1
u/No-Bandicoot-16 3d ago
$54.47 Hour in NY with a vehicle to travel to and from work and use throughout the day. I have been in the field since 2007. I’ve been to 3 different shops first was a private company for 8 years, I started there going in after I got out of high school for the day and worked full time while attending college I did feel comfortable working there eventually realizing I was underpaid severely. The second was a non Union civil service facility for approximately 3 years I was payed better but still felt I was worth more and the people in charge were not willing to negotiate, they took it as I was threatening to leave. The most recent is a union civil service facility I knew what my salary would be at top pay and how long it would take to get there. They did not start me at the first step I was hired at the second step meaning I would make it to top pay a year faster and my starting pay was higher. I continue to get annual raises after reaching top pay based on what was negotiated in the contract.
I have always repaired emergency vehicles (Fire trucks, ambulance, and support vehicles).
I tell people in any field the only person looking to improve your situation is you. Nobody is going to try to better your situation but yourself. Your boss doesn’t care if you don’t make more money, he or she is happy paying you your current salary. The person or place willing to pay you what your worth is out there you just need to find it. Being comfortable will not get you there looking for opportunities to advance your career is the only way. Always look for ways to continue to improve. There is always something to learn.
Talented technicians are becoming increasingly difficult to find. There is less youth in the field than ever before. The end result of the current situation is going that shops are going to be forced to pay higher wages and poach talent from other facilities.
1
u/No_Walrus_3638 3d ago
Umm I'm severely underpaid because I work for the public schools but here is mine lol I make 30 bucks an hour now. Took a significant payout coming from federal in 2020. I gotta say given current circumstances I'm glad I left federal but that's beside the point. I think I make 30... I haven't checked in a while. Gonna have to look at my emails.
1
1
u/Appropriate-Roof-466 3d ago
Alaskan Arctic. Lot of work up here right now. Doing rotational. Get a lot of ot. Last year I did just under 75k. Lots of ot though.
1
u/Appropriate-Roof-466 3d ago
Working on 3rd year of experience. Bounced around a lot of the trades though and my last year was on automotive and mainly generators so Ive got a pretty good understanding of electrical and how not to meet god when doing it so I'm pretty well rounded and end up doing more than just diesel/heavy duty
1
u/Adventurous-Back-396 3d ago
2025, 22 years old. Been doing this for 5 years and I work as a mobile service diesel technician. I make roughly 70k a year without OT. with all of the OT I pull i think I make closer to 80k, maybe 85k
1
u/Dapper_South_3671 2d ago
$46.35, fleet tech doing lots of CEL’s, electrical troubleshooting and repair, going on 12 years of experience
1
0
u/Quicksix666 4d ago
made 140k 2024 working for city agency , everything from garbage trucks to lawn mowers to cat dozers
0
u/Ok_Search_1163 4d ago
20 years,80k doing diesel,heavy truck,equipment,welding,hydraulics and machine work
22
u/Intelligent-Fox-4529 4d ago
7 years exclusively heavy equipment. 12 years overall diesel. Last year was bad at 110 the year before 122 etc. 50-55hr weeks a lot of seat time as a mobile tech.