Diesel mechanics keep our country's trucks, trains and buses moving

March 20, 2009

Diesel mechanics keep our country's trucks, trains and buses moving

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Pay: The 2,000 diesel mechanics in the Seattle-Bellevue- Tacoma area in 2007 earned a median wage of $22.63 an hour or $47,070 a year.

The job: Diesel mechanics repair and maintain the engines that power our nation's trucks, locomotives and buses and that are becoming more prevalent in light vehicles, including passenger vehicles and pickups.

Demand: Employment is expected to grow about as fast as average for all occupations.

Training: Formal training programs — in community colleges and trade and vocational schools — lead to the best prospects, although some mechanics still learn through on-the-job training. Certification by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence is achieved through testing and experience, and can boost chances for advancement.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: www.stats.bls.gov/oco