The Diesel Mechanics Program at Trenholm State Technical College is designed to teach a student the basic principles required in the repair and maintenance of components in the trucking, equipment, and farm related industries. The student will gain hands-on experience repairing, troubleshooting, and rebuilding various components in these areas. 

Occupational Choices

Diesel service technicians and mechanics held about 275,000 jobs in 2006. These workers were employed in almost every industry, particularly those that use trucks, buses, and equipment to haul, deliver, and transport materials, goods, and people. The largest employer, the truck transportation industry, employed 1 out of 6 diesel service technicians and mechanics. Less than 1 out of 10 were employed by local governments, mainly to repair school buses, waste removal trucks, and road equipment. A similar number were employed by automotive repair and maintenance facilities. The rest were employed throughout the economy, including construction, manufacturing, retail and wholesale trade, and automotive leasing. About 16,000, a relatively small number, were self-employed. Nearly every area of the country employs diesel service technicians and mechanics, although most work is found in towns and cities where trucking companies, bus lines, and other fleet owners have large operations.

Average Full-time Wage

Median hourly earnings of bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists, including incentive pay, were $18.11 in May 2006, more than the $17.65 median hourly earnings for all installation, maintenance, and repair occupations. The middle 50 percent earned between $14.48 and $22.07 an hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $11.71, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $26.50 an hour. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists in May 2006 were as follows:  Local government $21.22; Motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and supplies merchant wholesalers $18.27; Automotive repair and maintenance $17.53; General freight trucking $17.14; Specialized freight trucking $16.15.  Because many experienced technicians employed by truck fleet dealers and independent repair shops receive a commission related to the labor cost charged to the customer, weekly earnings depend on the amount of work completed. Beginners usually earn from 50 to 75 percent of the rate of skilled workers and receive increases as they become more skilled.

Awards

• Certificate in Diesel Mechanics
• Specialized Training Certificate in Diesel Mechanics
• Emphasis: Electrical/Electronics
• Emphasis: Drive Train
• Emphasis: Diesel Engine
• Emphasis: Engine Rebuild
  
  
  

Estimated Length & Cost*

* Tax not included.  Prices are subject to change without prior notice; cost of books may vary considerably among suppliers.  The length of the program is based on full-time status of 12-15 credit hours per term.  Enrollment in transitional level general education courses will alter the length of the program.

**Data obtained from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2006-2007.