The median annual wage of diesel service technicians and mechanics was $40,850 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $26,550, and the top 10 percent earned more than $60,830.
In May 2010, median annual wages in industries employing the largest numbers of diesel service technicians and mechanics were as follows:
| Local government | $48,070 |
| Motor vehicle and parts wholesalers | 41,070 |
| Automotive repair and maintenance | 38,320 |
| General freight trucking | 38,010 |
| Specialized freight trucking | 36,110 |
Many diesel mechanics, especially those employed by truck fleet dealers and repair shops, receive a commission in addition to their base salary.
Most diesel mechanics work full time. Overtime is common as many repair shops extend their service hours during evenings and weekends. In addition, some truck and bus repair shops provide 24-hour maintenance and repair services.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition