Diesel Mechanics

Employers

Diesel mechanics may find employment in a number of different areas. Many work for dealers that sell semi trucks and other diesel powered equipment. About 19 percent of the country's 285,300 diesel mechanics work for trucking companies. Others maintain the buses and trucks of public transit companies, schools, or governments or service buses, trucks, and other diesel-powered equipment at automotive repair and maintenance shops, motor vehicle and parts wholesalers, or automotive equipment rental and leasing agencies. Diesel mechanics can find work all over the country, in both large and small cities. Job titles may range from bus maintenance technician to hydraulic system technician, clutch rebuilder, and heavy duty maintenance mechanic. A small number of diesel mechanics may find jobs in the railway and industrial sectors and in marine maintenance.

Starting Out

The best way to begin a career as a diesel mechanic is to enroll in a postsecondary training or apprenticeship program and obtain certification. Trade and technical schools, as well as apprenticeship programs, nearly always provide job placement assistance for their graduates. Such schools usually have contacts with local employers who need to hire well-trained people. Often, employers post job openings at accredited trade schools in their area.

Some students land their first jobs as a result of contacts made during internships. Intern programs sponsored by truck manufacturers or independent organizations provide students with opportunities to actually work with prospective employers. Internships can provide students with valuable contacts who will be able to recommend future employers once students have completed their classroom training. Many students may even be hired by the company for which they interned.

The Association of Diesel Specialists offers job listings on its Web site, https://jobs.diesel.org.