by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician explores Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills To Repair, Service, And Maintain Diesel Engines In Vehicles Such As Automobiles, Buses, Ships, Trucks, Railroad Locomotives, And Construction Equipment; As Well As Stationary Diesel Engines In Electrical Generators And Related Equipment. Read on to learn the key facts every diesel mechanics technology/technician student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering diesel mechanics technology/technician programs.
In the U.S., diesel mechanics technology/technician draws strong interest, with 9,859 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools ranking analyzes these 303 schools to determine the best overall colleges for diesel mechanics technology/technician students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of diesel mechanics technology/technician programs later in this article.
Programs in Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a diesel mechanics technology/technician program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a diesel mechanics technology/technician major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several diesel mechanics technology/technician degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 4,115 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2,419 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 15 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 3,213 |
People currently working in careers related to diesel mechanics technology/technician tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate | 39.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 36.9% |
| Some college courses | 21.9% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.7% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in diesel mechanics technology/technician careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in diesel mechanics technology/technician can lead to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to diesel mechanics technology/technician.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to diesel mechanics technology/technician.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists | 178,555 | -1.8% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,744 |
| 4 years | $43,612 |
| 5 years | $49,558 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers diesel mechanics technology/technician grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists | $55,957 |
With 303 different diesel mechanics technology/technician programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased diesel mechanics technology/technician school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in diesel mechanics technology/technician, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
