upper level job

Diesel Technician II Salary in the United States

How much does a Diesel Technician II make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Diesel Technician II in the United States is $56,090 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

However, a Diesel Technician II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $64,114
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $48,890 to $60,290
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $42,335
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered Talent
AI Onboarding
View as table View as graph 25% $48,890 10% $42,335 90% $64,114 75% $60,290 $56,090 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Diesel Technician II Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $60,290 $5,024 $1,159 $29
Average $56,090 $4,674 $1,079 $27
25th Percentile $48,890 $4,074 $940 $24
Check out Diesel Technician II Job Openings in the United States
Diesel Technician

Coreway Global Logistic Inc - Columbus, OH

Diesel Technician

Elite - Columbus, OH

Diesel Technician

Eastern Truck and Trailer - Columbus, OH

Diesel Technician

Hogan Transportation - Columbus, OH

Search More Diesel Technician II Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Diesel Technician II Salaries

A Diesel Technician II'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.

How Experience Level Affects Diesel Technician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Diesel Technician II'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:

  • Diesel Engine Mechanic I (0-1 years): $49,895
  • Diesel Technician II (1-3 years): $56,077
  • Diesel Engine Mechanic III (3-5 years): $63,490
  • Diesel Maintenance Supervisor (5+ years): $76,954
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Diesel Engine Mechanic I0-1 years$49,895
Diesel Technician II1-3 years$56,077
Diesel Engine Mechanic III3-5 years$63,490
Diesel Maintenance Supervisor5+ years$76,954
$49,895 Diesel En...
$56,077 Diesel Te...
$63,490 Diesel En...
$76,954 Diesel Ma...
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Diesel Technician IIs

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:

  • San Jose: $70,790
  • San Francisco: $69,990
  • Oakland: $68,490

What Skills Can Increase a Diesel Technician II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Dedication (Mentioned in 9.28% Job Postings): Dedication is the quality of being dedicated or committed to a task or purpose. It produce high-quality results for your company and it helps nurture your work ethic and can lead to success.
  • OEM (Mentioned in 4.1% Job Postings): Original Equipment Manufacturer or OEM is a company that manufactures and sells products or parts of a product that their buyer, another company, sells to its own customers while putting the products under its own branding.
  • Technical Services (Mentioned in 2.28% Job Postings): Technical services are services that an IT organization provides to support business services or IT operations. Employee provisioning, backup and recovery, storage, and self-service help desk are examples of technical services
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Dedication 9.28%
OEM 4.1%
Technical Services 2.28%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Diesel Technician II's salary.
  • Waste Management: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Safety Training: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Waste Management
$61,138
9%
Safety Training
$61,138
9%
Coordination
$60,577
8%
Hard Working
$58,334
4%
Listening
$57,773
3%
Electrical Repairs
$57,773
3%
Get Latest Data

Diesel Technician II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Diesel Technician II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $62,790. While startup companies pay approximate $53,118.

Diesel Technician II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$53,118
Growth Stage51~500$56,179
Established501~5000$60,634
Enterprise5000+$62,790

Diesel Technician II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Diesel Technician II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Diesel Technician positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Diesel Technician II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Diesel Technician II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$72,917$35.030%
Biotechnology$70,112$34.025%
Energy & Utilities$67,308$32.020%
Aerospace & Defense$64,503$31.015%
Insurance$64,503$31.015%

Diesel Technician II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Diesel Technician II'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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Diesel Technician II Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Diesel Technician II, 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.

Diesel Technician II Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Diesel Engine Mechanic III $63,500 13%
Automotive Service Technician III $61,700 10%

Salary Trends for Diesel Technician II

Salaries for a Diesel Technician II can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $47,343 in 2023 to around $46,959 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Diesel Technician II salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Diesel Technician II Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$47,343
2024
$47,133
2025
$46,959
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $47,343
2024 $47,133
2025 $46,959
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Diesel Technician II

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
For Employers

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning

Common company salaries for Diesel Technician II

Here are companies hiring for Diesel Technician II and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Diesel Technician II Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Diesel Technician II job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Republic Services

    Columbus, OH

    Republic Services | Columbus, OH

    Republic Services - - Responsibilities: Maintain a basic knowledge of vehicle mechanical and electrical systems to perform preventive maintenance and some ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Compass Tech International

    Columbus, OH

    Compass Tech International | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Technician II – Automotive Testing & Chassis Dynamometer. Location. Raymond, OH. Work Schedule. Onsite, 5 days per week. ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Loves

    Columbus, OH

    Loves | Columbus, OH

    Diesel Technician Apprentice. Location: Obetz, OH, US, 43137. Req ID: 487575. Benefits: $17.50 - $25.00/hour, company funded tuition assistance program, pa... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Commercial Vehicle Inspection Group, Inc.

    Columbus, OH

    Commercial Vehicle Inspection Group, Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Commercial Vehicle Inspection Group (CVIG) is a nationwide truck, trailer and equipment inspection company and we provide... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Griffin Pavement Striping, Inc

    Columbus, OH

    Griffin Pavement Striping, Inc | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Griffin Pavement Striping. a Frontline Road Safety Group company, has a very clear mission: We want to provide the safest... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Griffin Pavement Striping

    Columbus, OH

    Griffin Pavement Striping | Columbus, OH

    Diesel/Maintenance Technician. Come join our team. Griffin Pavement Striping, a Frontline Road Safety Group Company is located in Columbus, Ohio. Since 197... more

    9 Days Ago

For Employees

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.

For Employers

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.

FAQ about Diesel Technician II

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Diesel Technician II?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Diesel Technician II roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. Can a mechanic make 200k a year?

While some automotive jobs can reach high salaries, diesel technicians typically earn between $54,590 and $67,990 annually, with a median salary of $61,190. Achieving a salary of $200,000 as a diesel technician is unlikely, as it exceeds the typical salary range for this profession.

3. Are diesel technicians in high demand?

Yes, diesel technicians are in high demand, with salaries ranging from $54,590 to $67,990, depending on experience and location. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics highlights Texas and California as the top states for employment in this field, reflecting the growing need for skilled technicians in the industry.

4. What is a Level 2 diesel technician?

A Level 2 diesel technician, or diesel technician II, performs a broader range of maintenance tasks than entry-level technicians. Responsibilities include tire replacements, brake installations, safety inspections, and repairs of tractor systems. The salary for this role typically ranges from $54,590 to $67,990, with a mid-point of $61,190.

5. What is the highest paid mechanic?

The highest paid mechanic is a Diesel Technician, with a maximum salary of $67,990. The salary range for this position starts at a minimum of $54,590, with a mid-level salary of $61,190. This reflects the specialized skills and expertise required in diesel technology, making it a lucrative career choice in the automotive field.

6. How long is diesel tech school?

Diesel Mechanic School can be completed in two years. The Automotive and Diesel Technology program takes 80 weeks to finish. Upon graduation, you can expect a salary ranging from $54,590 to $67,990, with a median salary of $61,190, allowing you to join the workforce equipped with the skills to work on diesel engines.

7. Is diesel mechanic a dying trade?

The diesel mechanic trade is not dying; in fact, it remains essential due to the ongoing demand for diesel engines in various industries. With a salary range from $54,590 to $67,990, skilled technicians can find stable and rewarding careers. As technology evolves, opportunities for diesel mechanics continue to grow, ensuring the trade's relevance.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job