Career comparison
Diesel Mechanic vs. Industrial Maintenance Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Industrial maintenance technicians earn more at the median ($64,520 vs. $61,770), while diesel mechanics usually get to work faster (6–24 months of training). Diesel mechanics diagnose and repair trucks, buses and diesel-powered equipment. Industrial maintenance technicians keep factory machinery running with mechanical, electrical and PLC troubleshooting.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Diesel Mechanic | Industrial Maintenance Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $61,770 ($29.70/hr) | $64,520 ($31.02/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $44,530 – $88,740 | $46,120 – $95,170 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.6% (about as fast as average) | +17.8% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 24,400 | 44,400 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 6–24 months | 1–4 years |
| Key credential | ASE Medium-Heavy Truck (T-series) | CMRT (SMRP) |
| Work setting | Diesel mechanics work in fleet shops, dealerships, independent repair shops and on the road as field service techs. | Technicians work in manufacturing plants, warehouses, food processing facilities and utilities. |
What each job does
Diesel Mechanic
- Perform preventive maintenance inspections and services
- Diagnose problems using diagnostic software and test equipment
- Repair or rebuild engines, transmissions and drivetrains
- Inspect and repair air brakes, steering and suspension
- Service aftertreatment systems such as DPF, DEF and SCR
Industrial Maintenance Technician
- Perform preventive and predictive maintenance on equipment
- Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic problems
- Repair or replace bearings, belts, motors, pumps and gearboxes
- Read schematics, prints and PLC ladder logic
- Align shafts and adjust machinery
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, problem-solving, indoor work, and shift work. Both are part of the mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose diesel mechanic if…
- I love figuring out why engines and machines fail
- I don’t mind grease and heavy parts
- I’m comfortable using computers for diagnostics
Choose industrial maintenance technician if…
- I like figuring out how machines work and why they break
- I’m comfortable with both mechanical and electrical work
- I can stay calm when production is down
Still torn? Take the Diesel Mechanic fit quiz and the Industrial Maintenance Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, diesel mechanic or industrial maintenance technician?
Industrial Maintenance Technicians earn more at the median: $64,520 versus $61,770 for diesel mechanics, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Diesel Mechanics typically train faster (6–24 months) than industrial maintenance technicians (1–4 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects industrial maintenance technicians to grow +17.8% from 2025–35, compared with +3.6% for diesel mechanics.