How to Become a Diesel Mechanic in Connecticut (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Connecticut employs about 2,860 diesel mechanics earning a median $67,300 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Diesel Mechanic here means completing a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship.

Key Facts

  • Median wage (Connecticut): $67,300/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Employed in Connecticut: 2,860 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Location quotient: 0.90x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Projected growth: 2.4% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

Sponsored - request program info

Connecticut employs approximately 2,860 diesel mechanics according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $67,300 1. Nationally, diesel mechanic employment is projected to grow 2.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 26,500 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Diesel Mechanic in Connecticut, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade-school or community-college program in the specialty (find programs)
  • Typical timeline: a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship
  • Exam: ASE or OEM certification
  • Median wage (Connecticut): $67,300 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Diesel Mechanic in Connecticut

How to become a Diesel Mechanic in Connecticut? Complete a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

How long does it take? Most people finish a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.

Do I need a license in Connecticut? Most states do not require a statewide occupational license. Employers typically expect ASE or OEM certification. See the licensing section below.

What do diesel mechanics earn in Connecticut? The median annual wage for diesel mechanics in Connecticut is $67,300 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $45,260 and experienced professionals can earn $97,220 or more 1.

How to Become a Diesel Mechanic in Connecticut

  1. Meet program entry rules. Programs typically require a high school diploma or GED.
  2. Complete a specialty program. Finish an automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program. Some union shops use apprenticeships; the default national path is a certificate plus ASE, not DAS as the only option.
  3. Earn ASE or OEM credentials. Pass ASE tests or OEM training the employer requires. Some states add a separate smog or emissions credential; it is not the whole mechanic license.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.

Diesel Mechanic License Requirements in Connecticut

Most states do not license auto, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision techs as a statewide journeyman card. Employers expect ASE or OEM credentials. Some states add a smog or emissions credential.

Typical path

  1. Complete a specialty program.

  2. Earn ASE or OEM credentials.

  3. Add a state smog or emissions credential only if that state and the job require one.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the employer before you enroll.

Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship Information in Connecticut

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Connecticut’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Connecticut Office of Apprenticeship Training 3.

Contact Information:

  • Office: Connecticut Labor Department, Office of Apprenticeship & Training
  • Address: 200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109-1114
  • Phone: (860) 263-6085
  • Email: [email protected]

Diesel Mechanic Wages by Metro Area in Connecticut

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists Wages by Metro Area in Connecticut

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists wages in Connecticut vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford1,310$64,530$69,160$44,720$97,220
New Haven520$65,140$68,830$44,960$94,130
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury420$75,940$76,280$49,910$104,000
Waterbury-Shelton220$63,250$66,480$45,820$84,930
Norwich-New London-Willimantic190$66,700$67,870$50,200$82,890

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for diesel mechanics in Connecticut? Connecticut currently employs approximately 2,860 diesel mechanics 1. Nationally, diesel mechanic employment is projected to grow 2.4% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Connecticut? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Connecticut. You can also contact the Connecticut Office of Apprenticeship Training for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do diesel mechanics earn in Connecticut compared to the national average? The median annual wage for diesel mechanics in Connecticut is $67,300, which is $6,660 above the national median of $60,640 according to BLS data 1.

In Connecticut

Related trades & nearby areas

Explore More Trades in Connecticut

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Connecticut Office of Apprenticeship Training: http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/progsupt/appren/WorkSchedules/SponsorReport1.htm ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)