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Diesel mechanic salary in California
- $47,180lowest 10% earn less
- $60,11025th percentile
- $73,950median
- $84,74075th percentile
- $96,730top 10% earn more
The median pay for a diesel mechanic in California was $73,950 a year in May 2025[1]. That was $12,180 higher than the US median[6].
How much do diesel mechanics make in California?
The median is the middle point. Half of diesel mechanics in California earned more than $73,950 a year, or $35.55 an hour, and half earned less[1]. The average was a little lower, at $72,690 a year[7].
Across the US, the median was $61,770[3], so California was $12,180 (19.7%) higher[6]. California had the 5th highest median among the 50 states and DC with a published median[5]. The median for all jobs in the state was $58,240[8], and diesel mechanics were $15,710 above it[9].
At the low end, the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $47,180[2]. At the high end, the top-paid 10% earned more than $96,730[2]. Among metro areas, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara had the highest median at $88,980[10]. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont was at $82,100 and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim was at $77,380[11].
OEWS counts wage and salary workers, part-time and full-time. Self-employed people and business owners are left out. Bonuses that are not tied to production and the value of benefits like health insurance are also not in these wages[12].
California vs US pay
Pay for diesel mechanics in California next to the national figures[1][3].
Pay by metro area in California
Metro areas in California with the most jobs for diesel mechanics, and the median pay in each[11].
| Metro area | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA[11] | $77,380 | 6,520 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $71,300 | 3,400 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $82,100 | 1,730 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $75,070 | 1,430 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $72,660 | 1,190 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $63,520 | 860 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $70,410 | 760 |
| Fresno, CA | $65,210 | 720 |
Pay in nearby states
Median pay for diesel mechanics in the states that border California, highest first[14].
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada[14] | $68,410 | 1,990 |
| Oregon | $63,970 | 3,770 |
| Arizona | $61,680 | 5,140 |
Job outlook and training
Across the US, jobs for diesel mechanics are projected to grow 3.6% from 2025 to 2035[15]. BLS does not publish this projection by state. The typical education for entry is: high school diploma or equivalent[16].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a diesel mechanic make in California?
- The median was $73,950 a year in May 2025, and the average was $72,690[1][7]. The middle half of workers earned between $60,110 and $84,740[2].
- How much does a diesel mechanic make an hour in California?
- The median was $35.55 an hour[1]. The 10th percentile was $22.68 an hour and the 90th percentile was $46.50[17].
- Which city in California pays diesel mechanics the most?
- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara had the highest median at $88,980 a year[10]. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont had a median of $82,100[11].
- Is California a good state for diesel mechanics?
- California had the 5th highest median annual wage for this job among the 50 states and DC with a published median[5]. Its median was 19.7% above the US median[6].
- What do you need to become a diesel mechanic in California?
- This is a US figure. Across the US, the typical entry path is a high school diploma or equivalent, no related work experience, and long-term on-the-job training[16].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in California was $73,950 per year and $35.55 per hour. Half of these workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in California: 10th percentile $47,180, 25th percentile $60,110, 75th percentile $84,740, 90th percentile $96,730. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less, the 90th means 10% earned more. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in the US as a whole was $61,770 per year and $29.70 per hour, with about 289,960 jobs nationwide. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 20,940 people worked as Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in California (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: California had the 5th highest median annual wage for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists out of the 50 states and DC with a published median. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- CareerFacts calculation from BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in California ($73,950) was $12,180 (19.7%) higher than the US median ($61,770). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in California was $72,690 per year and $34.95 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in California was $58,240. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- CareerFacts calculation from BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in California was $15,710 higher than the median for all occupations in the state ($58,240). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: of the 25 metro areas in or partly in California with a published median for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA had the highest median annual wage, $88,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Metro areas with the most jobs in this occupation, with median annual wage, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in the US: 10th percentile $44,530, 25th percentile $50,540, 75th percentile $75,470, 90th percentile $88,740. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, median annual wage for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in states that border California (highest first): Nevada $68,410; Oregon $63,970; Arizona $61,680. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections (US, not by state): employment of Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists is projected to grow 3.6% nationwide from 2025 to 2035, with about 24,400 openings a year on average. All occupations are projected to grow 3.5%. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections (US, not by state), typical path into Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in California: 10th percentile $22.68, 25th percentile $28.90, 75th percentile $40.74, 90th percentile $46.50. BLS OEWS, May 2025