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What is a Diesel Mechanic?
Diesel mechanic schools teach students to work with any type of automobile that uses an engine which burn diesel fuel instead of more common fuels. The construction and design of such engines varies from traditional engines, requiring additional study or experience in order to be able to repair and maintain such vehicles. These engines are usually found in trucks, buses, and occasionally older foreign cars, as well as others.
Career Summary
MEDIAN SALARY
PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE
TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT
254,280Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types
Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS
2025 Best Diesel Mechanic Schools
Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology is an educational institution that is committed to developing today’s workforce and guiding them to become the leaders of tomorrow. The institution has been providing excellent education to the people of Pennsylvania since 1969.
Individuals seeking a diploma in diesel technology can enroll in Central Pennsylvania’s 1106-hour Diesel Technology program. Throughout the program, students will receive hands-on training and lessons in brake systems, basic engine transmissions, fuel systems, electrical systems, air conditioning, engine overhaul, and the like. The program lasts up to 11 months and once completed, students will obtain a class B commercial driver license.
Acceptance Rate
89.77
Tuition
$15,340 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
10:1
For over 41 years, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges has recognized New Castle School of Trades as a high-end career college. Its approval rate is 100 percent, and it has a 73 percent graduation rate. New Castle School of Trades provides a program that provides students with skills needed in the trades field as well as entry-level diesel training. The Diesel and Heavy Equipment Repair Technology program can be completed within 60 weeks wherein students will enable their skills in repairing diesel vehicles. Students will also have an opportunity to receive training for class A commercial truck driving.
Acceptance Rate
100
Tuition
$20,736 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
11:1
For more than 70 years, Rosedale Technical Institute has provided outstanding hands-on technical training programs. It is based in Pennsylvania and aims to train students for professional advancement by providing them with the necessary equipment and expertise.
The diesel mechanic school at RTI offers a program that focuses on diesel technology wherein students will understand and practice to become responsible for inspecting vehicles that use diesel engines. Students will learn to diagnose mechanical problems, checking the batteries, adjusting tires, and inspection of parts. The program also has training opportunities that develop the skills of students to become diesel mechanics.
Acceptance Rate
60.18
Student to Faculty Ratio
15:1
Located in Virginia Beach, the Advanced Technology Institute has approximately 600 students. It was established in 1975, and its automotive program earned master certification in 1998. The institution offers hands-on diesel mechanic training through its heavy vehicle technology program. Students enrolled in the program have an opportunity to work on automatic and manual engines to develop their skills that are essential for a rewarding career in the field. The program curriculum includes diesel fuel systems, drivelines, fundamentals of technology, brakes, and other related courses.
Acceptance Rate
47.91
Student to Faculty Ratio
20:1
Acceptance Rate
-
Tuition
$47,350 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
37:1
WyoTech in Laramie is known as the best institution that offers training programs for diesel, collision, refinishing, automotive, and the like. It was founded in the year 1966 and offers student services such as financial aid, advising, and housing.
Within 6 months, students enrolled in the diesel mechanic class at WyoTech will learn to tune-up, rebuild, and tear down machinery that is powered by diesel engines. Throughout the program, students will be taught about measuring pistons, performing tune-ups, multiplexing, emission, after-treatment systems, troubleshooting, control systems, and more. Certificates in street rods, applied service management, high-performance, chassis fabrication, and power trains are also available for graduates of this program.
Acceptance Rate
-
Tuition
$25,000 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
5:1
Acceptance Rate
-
Tuition
$32,865 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
15:1
Acceptance Rate
-
Tuition
$46,600 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
43:1
Acceptance Rate
-
Tuition
$37,050 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
37:1
Acceptance Rate
-
Tuition
$46,250 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
37:1
Automotive Training Center operates as a two year career school dedicated to offering a sound education for students in Warminster and surrounding areas. Last year over 140 students were awarded degrees with around 68% of students who start the program complete it. Automotive Training Center offers several programs to choose from. The more popular enrolled programs are listed below:
- Auto Mechanic
- Auto Body
- Marine Maintenance, Fitter and Ship Repair Technology
- Diesel Mechanic
- Counseling assistance
- Employing students to lower education costs
- Assisting students to find work
Acceptance Rate
-
Tuition
$40,800 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
22:1
TDDS Technical Institute is a vocational institution committed to providing students in Lake Milton and the surrounding areas with meaningful learning and excellent training programs. It offers courses that focus on bus and truck driving techniques as well as diesel engine repair.
For more than 40 years, TDDS has been training individuals to help them become professional truck drivers and diesel technicians. Students will study heavy-duty vehicles, basic welding, foundation brakes, power steering, suspension systems, tire services, and the like. The program can be completed after the 4 units and 60-credit hours.
Acceptance Rate
68.23
Tuition
$8,480 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
5:1
Tennessee Institute of Applied Technology-Memphis is dedicated to offering competitive training programs to its students so that they can better respond to the demands of the modern workforce. It has cutting-edge facilities that support higher education while also providing full-time classes, online degrees, and business training.
The college offers a full-time program that is centered around diesel-powered equipment technology wherein students can earn a diploma or certificate upon graduation. The program has a mission to train students for a career in diesel service and mechanics as well as to repair and maintain heavy trucks, locomotives, and buses. Students can complete the program in 20 months with more than 2,000 clock hours.
Acceptance Rate
-
Tuition
$6,011 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
20:1
Pennco Tech was established in 1973 to provide individuals with career training required to succeed. Pennco Tech operates two schools, one in Blackwood, New Jersey and the other in Bristol, Pennsylvania. The school works with individuals to develop a plan for the future and provides the educations, training and skills required to realize those plans. The school will also assist in job placement post-graduation, ensuring that students can have a jump start on their careers.
Pennco Tech offers nine programs in high demand fields:
- HVAC/R
- Automotive Body and Paint Technician
- Automotive Technology
- Electrician
- Administrative Medical Assistant
- Pharmacy Technician
- Plumbing and Heating Technology (Bristol Campus Only)
- Mechanical/CAD Drafting (Blackwood Campus Only)
- Diesel/Truck Technology (Blackwood Campus Only)
Admissions and Financial Aid
Individuals interested in attending Pencco Tech should complete the online information request form. Financial aid is available and students interested should consult with the financial aid office.
Acceptance Rate
-
Tuition
$18,000 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
18:1
Acceptance Rate
-
Tuition
$47,650 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
40:1
The Alfred campus of SUNY College of Technology is a student-centered institution in New York. It offers students hands-on learning and outstanding training programs to improve their skills and prepare them for advanced degrees and successful careers in the field. It has a student population of nearly 4,000 and offers 80 majors and over 100 student organizations.
The college provides students with hands-on and classroom training that enhances the abilities and confidence of students to become independent technicians through its Heavy Equipment, Truck, and Diesel Technician program. Students will learn to identify the problems and repair heavy equipment including the truck’s electronic system, brakes, gas engines, steering, drive trains, and suspension systems. Upon completion, graduates of this program can work as a service manager, truck fleet mechanic, shop foreman, diesel engine specialist, and many more.
Acceptance Rate
66.74
Student to Faculty Ratio
18:1
Acceptance Rate
-
Tuition
$24,266 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
22:1
New York Automotive and Diesel Institute is a two-year career school, which provides training and education opportunities for its students located in and around Jamaica. Over a thousand students have completed their schooling in the last few years based on published information with more than 64% of students who start the program continuing on to complete it. New York Automotive and Diesel Institute offers several programs to choose from. The more popular enrolled programs are listed below:
- Auto Mechanic
- Auto Body
- Diesel Mechanic
- Medium and Heavy Vehicle Truck Technology
- Work study style employment
- Assisting students to find work
Acceptance Rate
-
Tuition
$36,200 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
18:1
Automotive Training Center operates as a two-year career school dedicated to offering a solid education for students located in and around Exton. Over 520 students have completed their training in the last few years based on published information with more than 70% of students who start the program complete it. Automotive Training Center offers several programs to choose from. Here are the more popular programs offered:
- Auto Mechanic
- Auto Body
- Diesel Mechanic
- Academic counseling for students
- Student employment
- Employment search assistance
Acceptance Rate
-
Tuition
$40,800 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
24:1
Located in Chillicothe, Missouri, the Grand River Technical School is a small public college that provides vocational education and training for its students. It has a mission to develop the students’ skills, knowledge, and ability for rewarding employment in today’s challenging industry.
The school also provides a program focusing on diesel services technology that can be completed within one to two years. The training covers air conditioning, failure analysis, power trains, industrial gas engines, welding, and hydraulics among others. Upon completion of the program, students will receive instructor certifications that verify their skills in maintaining and repairing the electrical, diesel, and fuel systems as well as cycle engines, drivelines, and mobile air conditioning.
Acceptance Rate
74.65
Tuition
$6,000 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
3:1
Western Technical College, located in El Paso, Texas, is a privately owned 2 year institution dedicated to career education. For over forty years WTC has provided vocational education opportunities to students through practical and formal instruction. The staff is experienced and dedicated to providing students with the best education possible for a given program, imparting the skills learned through professional experience.
Academics
Western Technical College provides vocational programs a in a variety of fields and educates its students to be able to work in those fields after completion of the program. A professional faculty and state of the art facilities will assist in the education process, and practical applications along with traditional study will be utilized to learn a develop the skills necessary for success.
Programs offered include:
- Massage Therapy
- Medical/Clinical Assistant
- Diesel Technology
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- Advanced Welding
Admissions and Financial Aid
Students wishing to enroll at Western Technical College must be seventeen years of age or older and have a high school diploma or GED. Some programs may require additional testing as well as medical information. WTC offers a several forms of financial aid assistance. Students interested in financial aid should contact the financial aid office to begin the process. The financial aid office will assist interested students through every step of the application process.
Acceptance Rate
-
Tuition
$27,099 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
30:1
Acceptance Rate
-
Tuition
$43,950 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
24:1
Oklahoma Technical College is a two-year private career school dedicated to providing a solid education for students in Tulsa and surrounding areas. Over the previous several years Oklahoma Technical College awarded degrees to over seventy students with 52% of those who start the program complete it. Oklahoma Technical College offers several programs to pick from. Below is a list of the more popular programs being offered:
- Auto Mechanic
- Welding
- Barber
- Cosmetology, Barber and Nail Instructor
To help support students, Oklahoma Technical College may provide some services to students including:
- Online classes
- Weekend and night classes available
- Academic counseling for students
- Student employment
- Employment search assistance
To see more and get consumer disclosures, please visit oklahomatechnicalcollege.com.
Acceptance Rate
-
Tuition
$19,157 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
11:1
The Tennessee Institute of Applied Technology-Newbern commits to offer competitive training to students so that they can better respond to the demands of the workplace. In addition to higher education learning programs, the institution has cutting-edge facilities and provides full-time and part-time classes, online degrees, and adult training.
The diesel-powered equipment technology program of Tennessee Institute in Newbern offers practical experience for students in repairing and maintaining various diesel-powered equipment. Students will also receive instructions in disassembling engines, troubleshooting, replacing defective parts, reassembling, and many more. Students can also choose to have full-time or part-time schedules depending on the option that suits them best.
Acceptance Rate
-
Tuition
$4,236 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
17:1
The Tennessee College of Applied Technology – Livingston provides opportunities for students to expand their knowledge in their chosen field of interest. It offers programs that ensure excellent hands-on career development education for its students.
Diesel Technology is one of its programs wherein students will receive outstanding learning opportunities that cover reassembling and disassembling of engines, troubleshooting, replacing defective parts, and engine analysis. Students will be given 16 months and 1,728 clock hours to complete the program wherein they will obtain a certificate or diploma. The curriculum also includes heating ventilation, preventative maintenance, air conditioning, diesel engines, electronics, brakes, steering, drive trains, and many more.
Acceptance Rate
-
Tuition
$4,236 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
25:1
What Does a Diesel Mechanic Do?
While the typical day for a diesel mechanic looks different by industry sector and job specialty, the most basic diesel mechanic jobs encompass a core set of activities. These top 7 activities are summarized from the latest employment survey from the Department of Labor and include:
- Testing vehicles to ensure they are running properly
- Leverage manuals and work charts to manage workflow
- Communicate with vehicle owners and provide consultations
- Utilize checklists to ensure all related tasks are addressed within a job
- Identify and replace parts and assembly units
- Understand routine maintenance basics by vehicle type
- Perform inspections of engines, brakes, transmissions, steering units and related systems.
Most Popular Diesel Mechanic Specialties
As a diesel mechanic, you may have the opportunity to specialize in a particular type of vehicle or be generalist that works on many types of diesel engines. In either case, we have aggregated a list of common types of diesel vehicles for you to research further that include the following diesel mechanics:
Small Diesel Engine Mechanic
A small engine diesel mechanic must have a deep working knowledge about an array of engines. From diesel powered commercial equipment to residential diesel generators, a small engine diesel mechanic needs to be equipped to maintain and fix a variety of engines.
Fixed Diesel Mechanic Training
A fixed diesel engine mechanic is a professional that works on a diesel engine that provide electricity. By definition, a fixed engine will provide power to a stand-alone installation or system that is not tethered to a power grid. A fixed system can be in continual use or part of an on-demand system. As a result, a fixed diesel engine mechanic would either be on-site and employed full-time or service a series of installations on an as-needed basis.
Marine Mechanics
A diesel mechanic working in or around water must have a special set of skills to effectively and safely perform their jobs. The diesel engines used in marine applications will often be under stress for extended periods of time and regular maintenance becomes ever-more important to alleviate problems with the vessel. In addition, a number of boats and ships use diesel engines to drive a generator which provides electricity for the vessel. In these cases where electricity is generated by a diesel engine, a certified diesel mechanic must have acute awareness of the interrelated association between these systems.
Railroad Diesel Technician
Akin to the marine diesel mechanic, the diesel engines utilized in railroad applications may be under stress for extended periods of time. If not managed and maintained properly, the entire system can fail and cause large-scale problems for all involved in safely transporting goods and people via rail.
Large & Commercial Truck
Diesel repair and maintenance for both large vehicles and commercial vehicles powered by diesel engines is the most common type of discipline within the trade. Examples of large commercial diesel vehicles include long-haul trucks, buses, commercial trucks, construction vehicles, and military applications. A truck technician continues to be a highly sought after vocation by small and large employers across the country.
Diesel Mechanic School Near Me
Higher education institutions that offer diesel mechanic programs include a vocational school, community college, and trade school. Accredited colleges offering a diesel mechanics course will offer students with hands-on learning combined with classroom lectures. By leveraging both types of learning modalities, you will acquire knowledge about diesel mechanics and maintenance basics and to safely apply these foundational principles in a safe environment under the tutelage of trained, certified professionals. You can quickly find a full list of community colleges and vocational programs in diesel mechanics listed below by state or school name near you. Associate degree 16-24 month programs are akin to certificate programs with the additional benefit of core academic classes in diesel technology training.
Certification in Diesel Technology Training
Education in this field may begin through high schools or vocational diesel tech schools that double as training centers for high school students. Others may pursue an education in the field through a community college or trade school that specializes in the field. Mechanic schools are programs that typically take between six months and two years to complete based on the type of education being pursued. Courses will be primarily taught through practical means, though some will take place in a traditional classroom. Individuals who pursue an associate degree will also be responsible for completing general education requirements outside their major.
A curriculum may include:
- Diesel Combustion
- Repair and Maintenance
- Exhaust Systems
- Valves and Pistons
- Electrical Systems
Employment Opportunities for Mechanics
Diesel mechanics tend to work at repair shops and repair stations as part of a team or individually in order to maintain trucks or buses as they come in or out. Individuals working at repair stations may be tasked with odd hours due to 24-hour maintenance and repair necessities. Individuals should seek out ASE Certification as soon as they qualify, which involves two years of on-the-job experience. Some employers may require licensure to drive trucks and buses, particularly if they need to test drive vehicles as part of their service. Descriptions and reviews of careers can be found by using local job boards.
Job Growth & Careers in Diesel Technology Program
Job growth over the next decade is expected to be well above average at 12% growth as businesses continue to utilize large trucks for transport of goods and schools and cities utilize buses for transportation of people. New openings may occur due to expansion, though many positions will open due to retirement and turnover. The average salary of a diesel mechanic is $45,170 per year equating to $21.72 per hour but can vary greatly based on location and experience.
Top States with Highest Employment of Diesel Mechanics
- Texas 26,320
- California 20,590
- New York 13,290
- Pennsylvania 12,020
- Ohio 11,570
Top 5 Highest Paying States for Diesel Mechanics
- Alaska $62,710
- District of Columbia $55,930
- Hawaii $55,510
- Nevada $55,300
- Wyoming $55,150
Additional Niche Resources for Diesel Mechanics
- Association of Diesel Specialists (ADS)
- National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF)
- Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES)
- National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
- Automotive Engine Rebuilders Association (AERA)
- Electric Generating Systems Association (EGSA)
- Electric Power Supply Association (EPSA)
- Electrical Equipment Representatives Association (EERA)
- Energy Information Administration (EIA)
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
- National Association of Power Engineers (NAPE)
- Power Engineering Society (IEEE)
- Association for Facilities Engineering (AFE)
- Truckload Carriers Association (TCA)
- Association of Energy Engineers (AEE)
Individuals interested in becoming a diesel mechanic may also be interested in auto mechanics technology, aircraft mechanics and maintenance, and auto-body, collision and repair.