The average diesel technician, like many other working Americans, works roughly 40 hours per week.
Many firms, like as Schneider, do, however, offer part-time possibilities for those who are in school to become diesel mechanics, have families, have multiple jobs, and so on. Diesel technicians who work part-time should anticipate to work 20 or more hours per week.
What is a typical day for a diesel mechanic?
Aside from the tasks that must be done every day, most diesel mechanics will work in a similar atmosphere and must meet the same physical criteria.
Diesel technicians will work both inside and outside when it comes to the environment. This can happen in any conditions and takes a reasonable amount of physical strength. For long lengths of time, most diesel mechanics will alternate between sitting, standing, bending, and stooping.
Being a diesel mechanic also necessitates physical dexterity, delicate manipulation, and the ability to reach with hands and arms due to the nature of engine and maintenance operations. Diesel mechanics must be able to lift up to 80 pounds in most professions, and they must be able to operate simple to complex heavy-duty machinery.
Shift hours will vary depending on the hours of operation at each service location. Diesel mechanics typically work regular business hours on any of the seven days of the week.
Evenings and nights may be required of mobile diesel mechanics. These mechanics are frequently on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist with roadside breakdowns.
Is being a diesel mechanic stressful?
There may be a few exceptions to this rule. When I was working on fire apparatus, the stress level was higher at times, but most diesel tech jobs have a lower stress level. This is due to a number of factors.
In case you didn’t know, book time refers to the amount of time you should expect to spend on a task. In the world of automobiles, this is huge. Most businesses send their mechanics out to get the vehicle out and keep to the schedule. They are paid by the book time in the case of flat-rate pay.
Diesel mechanics don’t have to deal with a lot of paperwork. There were just a few jobs where the question of time arose. Brake jobs, for example. The majority of things in diesel aren’t that simple. An air leak on a vehicle can take many hours to diagnose. You can have an electrical issue that takes a day or two to solve. There’s no need to stress! Take your time and do it correctly. Most of the shops where I’ve worked have this approach.
2. Avoiding contact with the general public
Because most diesel jobs are fleet employment, there are certain stress-relieving advantages. Often, the equipment you’re working on has an assigned driver, or the truck you’ve dismantled has a department head checking on it, but Karen, who has three children and needs her car back today, isn’t in that situation.
While all types of mechanics have deadlines and occasions when you’ll need to hustle, you’ll find that those times aren’t as common in a well-run shop.
Do diesel mechanics make good money?
It’s impossible to account for all of the variables that influence how much you’ll earn at any given store, and different shops compensate their techs differently. Experience and the ability to do the job right go a long way. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual compensation for a heavy duty diesel mechanic is $47,350, with a median hourly wage of $19.93. Those figures, however, represent the center of the salary spectrum. Heavy-duty mechanics might earn anything from $72,000 to $93,000 per year.
Salary may appear to be the better deal when compared to an hourly rate, but it all relies on how busy the shop is. In some cases, salaried mechanics are exempt from overtime pay. As a result, salaried technicians working in a high-volume facility may wind up earning significantly less than those earning an hourly salary and working standard hours. Some shops, on the other hand, may base your pay on how many hours you actually spend working on vehicles during any particular pay period.
On the other hand, an increasing number of stores are embracing incentive-based pay structures. They give technicians an hourly wage plus bonuses if they work efficiently. Hourly-plus-bonuses can be lucrative if you can multitask, such as changing oil on one vehicle while fixing the brakes on another.
Is diesel mechanic in high demand?
Diesel mechanics and technicians are in high demand across America, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), with around 242,200 technicians employed in the mechanic business.
According to a 2010 estimate, demand for mechanics is predicted to increase by 15% between 2010 and 2020, resulting in 35,200 additional work possibilities for diesel technicians.
According to a recent BLS survey, the top five states recruiting diesel technicians are:
Diesel mechanic demand varies by state and industry, necessitating the correct level of educational preparation and hands-on experience for prospective mechanics to attain the desired employment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top five industries with the largest need for diesel mechanics are:
Is diesel mechanics a good job?
Diesel mechanics may expect to earn an annual income of $50,200 on average. This works out to about $24.13 per hour. Pay varies depending on experience, location of employment, and state of residence. Local government diesel technicians make the most money, followed by those in wholesale commerce, car repair shops, and truck transportation.
Diesel mechanics who work for truck fleet dealers and repair shops may be paid a commission on top of their regular pay. While getting certification can help you boost your CV, depending on your organization and performance, it may also make you eligible for better pay.
Is diesel mechanic the career for you?
For people who are interested in mechanics and want to start a career that offers both gratifying work and a respectable entry-level salary, becoming a diesel mechanic is an excellent choice. Diesel mechanics may be the perfect job you’ve been looking for if you like to work with your hands, get joy from witnessing the results of your effort, and work in a profession that presents new challenges every day. Reach out to one of our professional Penn Foster Admission Specialists today at 1-888-427-6500 if you’re unsure how to get started with your training or have concerns about how online diesel mechanic classes work!
Messy work
Working on diesel engines is filthy since technicians work with lubricants and corrosion, which can transfer to their hands and clothing. In the event of a spill, most garages feature sinks and specialist soaps. Some facilities may even provide technicians with showers before they leave work.
What is the difference between diesel mechanic and diesel technician?
We both work as diesel mechanics and diesel technicians in the shop today, repairing machines and working with technological equipment.
