by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 310 U.S. colleges awarded 10,172 degrees and certificates in Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician. Certificates are the most popular award, at 40% of graduates. College Factual ranks 220 schools in its 2027 Best Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $37,805 one year after completing, rising to $54,355 after four years.
Studying 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.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., diesel mechanics technology/technician draws strong interest, with 10,172 degrees awarded annually. 310 colleges award diesel mechanics technology/technician degrees, an average of 33 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 488.
By level, the 10,172 awards include 4,067 certificates, 2,603 associate degrees, 38 bachelor’s degrees and 3,350 master’s degrees.
Women earned 6% of diesel mechanics technology/technician degrees and certificates in the latest year (598 of 10,172). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (5,615) and Hispanic or Latino (2,792), and international students earned 30.
College Factual ranks 220 schools in its 2027 Best Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools ranking, including 87 for associate degrees and 2 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks diesel mechanics technology/technician schools within 29 states. In all, 310 colleges offer diesel mechanics technology/technician programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common diesel mechanics technology/technician credential is the certificate: 4,067 of the 10,172 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to diesel mechanics technology/technician call most for Repairing, Troubleshooting and Operations Monitoring, and for knowledge of Mechanical, Transportation and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Near Vision, Manual Dexterity and Arm-Hand Steadiness.
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How long a diesel mechanics technology/technician degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 4,067 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2,603 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 38 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 3,350 |
Postsecondary certificate is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to diesel mechanics technology/technician, at 39.5%.
| 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% |
Source: O*NET Online.
1 occupations are related to Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician, with an average median salary of $55,957. Typical job titles include Bus Tune-Up Mechanic, Locomotive Mechanic, Fleet Technician (Fleet Tech) and Service Technician.
The occupation related to diesel mechanics technology/technician with the most projected jobs is Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists, at 178,555.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists | 178,555 | -1.8% |
Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician graduates earn a median $37,805 one year after completing their program, $54,355 after four years and $49,650 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,805 |
| 4 years | $54,355 |
| 5 years | $49,650 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to diesel mechanics technology/technician, with a median salary of $55,957.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists | $55,957 |
Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician has 17 similar majors in the Mechanic & Repair Technologies field, which together award 71,452 degrees a year; the largest are Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician (46,331), Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician (9,434) and Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician (5,353). Browse all Mechanic & Repair Technologies majors or the full list of college majors.
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