Diesel service technicians and mechanics
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Diesel service technicians and mechanics in the United States earn a median salary of $61,770 per year — about $30 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 320K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +2%.
AI & Automation Risk
The core of this occupation is highly physical, requiring manual dexterity, strength, and real-time problem-solving in a hands-on environment. While AI will significantly enhance diagnostic software and technical manuals used by technicians, it cannot perform the physical repairs, parts replacement, or tool manipulation that define the job.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paducah, KY-ILBEST VALUE | $78,900 | Below avg (86.1) | $91,655 |
| Minot, ND | $72,800 | Below avg (87.0) | $83,651 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $88,980 | Above avg (110.4) | $80,581 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $68,240 | Below avg (88.8) | $76,875 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $85,040 | Above avg (111.0) | $76,640 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $74,750 | Average (97.5) | $76,631 |
| Savannah, GA | $72,770 | Below avg (95.2) | $76,434 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $80,450 | Above avg (105.6) | $76,179 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $78,960 | Above avg (103.7) | $76,165 |
| Bellingham, WA | $78,330 | Above avg (103.3) | $75,803 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $77,460 | Average (102.4) | $75,613 |
| Boulder, CO | $79,030 | Above avg (105.2) | $75,122 |
| Topeka, KS | $66,500 | Below avg (88.8) | $74,871 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $64,220 | Below avg (86.7) | $74,103 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $82,330 | Above avg (111.1) | $74,082 |