Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Diesel Technician I in California is $55,090 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $26.
However, a Diesel Technician I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered Talent
Recruit with AI
Diesel Technician I Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $60,490 | $5,041 | $1,163 | $29 |
| Average | $55,090 | $4,591 | $1,059 | $26 |
| 25th Percentile | $49,890 | $4,158 | $959 | $24 |
Dobbs Peterbilt - Turlock, CA
Western Truck Parts & Equipment - Stockton, CA
Western Truck Parts & Equipment - Turlock, CA
Bobcat / Gateway Dealer Network - Mira Loma, CA
A Diesel Technician I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Diesel Technician I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel Technician I | 0-1 years | $55,034 |
| Diesel Engine Mechanic II | 1-3 years | $61,853 |
| Diesel Engine Mechanic III | 3-5 years | $70,029 |
| Diesel Maintenance Supervisor | 5+ years | $84,880 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Diesel Technician Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Diesel Technician I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $61,670. While startup companies pay approximate $52,171.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $52,171 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $55,177 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $59,553 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $61,670 |
For Diesel Technician I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Diesel Technician positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Diesel Technician I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $66,108 | $32.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $66,108 | $32.0 | 20% |
| Business Services | $66,108 | $32.0 | 20% |
| Chemicals | $66,108 | $32.0 | 20% |
| Construction | $66,108 | $32.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Diesel Technician I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $60,490 | $5,041 | $1,163 | $29 |
| Average | $55,090 | $4,591 | $1,059 | $26 |
| 25th Percentile | $49,890 | $4,158 | $959 | $24 |
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Diesel Technician I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel Engine Mechanic II | $61,900 | 12% |
| Automotive Service Technician II | $60,900 | 11% |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Diesel Technician I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Amerit Fleet Solutions
Compton, CA
Amerit Fleet Solutions | Compton, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Overview. Diesel/Trailer Technician – Compton, CA. $35.00 - $40.00 hr | Weekly Pay | Full Benefits within 30 Days. Amerit... more
6 Days Ago
NFI Industries
Ontario, CA
NFI Industries | Ontario, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Ready to put your diesel expertise to work with a team that’s built on trust and teamwork. At NFI, you’ll use cutting-edg... more
6 Days Ago
Vulcan Materials Company
Littlerock, CA
Vulcan Materials Company | Littlerock, CA
Vulcan Materials Company - 6851 East Avenue T 14 - Responsibilities: Diagnose, repair, and maintain diesel engines and related vehicle systems. Perform rou... more
6 Days Ago
Amerit Fleet Solutions
Woodland, CA
Amerit Fleet Solutions | Woodland, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Overview. Diesel. Technician/Mechanic. – Woodland, CA. $30.00 - $40.00 hr | Weekly Pay | Full Benefits within 30 Days. Am... more
7 Days Ago
Moss Bros. Chevrolet of Moreno Valley
Moreno Valley, CA
Moss Bros. Chevrolet of Moreno Valley | Moreno Valley, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Join a dealership that values your skills, respects your time, and provides the resources you need to grow your career. W... more
7 Days Ago
DTS Diesel Truck Services LLC
Acampo, CA
DTS Diesel Truck Services LLC | Acampo, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Position Summary. Under the direct supervision of the Shop Owner the Diesel Technician will work on getting our customers... more
7 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
