Do diesel mechanics need a license in Delaware?

No statewide license is required for diesel mechanics in Delaware. Most employers expect industry certifications such as ASE or OEM certification.

What apprenticeships are available for diesel mechanics in Delaware?

In Delaware, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Delaware Office of Apprenticeship and Training, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details.

How to Become a Diesel Mechanic in Delaware (2026)

Q: How long does diesel mechanic training take in Delaware?

Most people become a Diesel Mechanic in Delaware through a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship.

Q: How much do diesel mechanics earn in Delaware?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), diesel mechanics in Delaware earned a median annual wage of approximately $63,590. Employment concentration in Delaware is roughly 0.74 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: What is the job outlook for diesel mechanics in Delaware?

Delaware currently employs approximately 670 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 2.4% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Delaware bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists earn a median annual wage of $63,590 ($30.57/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 670 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 2.9% above the national median of $61,770 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $63,590 ($30.57/hr)
25th percentile: $54,260 per year
75th percentile: $74,380 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $82,650 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $49,250 per year
Workers employed in Delaware: 670
Versus national median: 2.9% above the U.S. median of $61,770
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.74 - this occupation is less concentrated in Delaware than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed September 2, 2026.

Delaware employs about 670 diesel mechanics earning a median $63,590 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 (Delaware): $63,590/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in Delaware: 670 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 0.74x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: 2.4% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

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 (Delaware): $63,590 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Diesel Mechanic in Delaware

How to become a Diesel Mechanic in Delaware? 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 Delaware? 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 Delaware? The median annual wage for diesel mechanics in Delaware is $63,590 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $49,250 and experienced professionals can earn $82,650 or more ¹.

How to Become a Diesel Mechanic in Delaware

Meet program entry rules. Programs typically require a high school diploma or GED.
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.
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 Delaware

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

Complete a specialty program.
Earn ASE or OEM credentials.
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 Delaware

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

Contact Information:

Office: Apprenticeship and Training Section: Division of Industrial Affairs, Delaware Department of Labor
Address: 4425 N. Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19802
Phone: (302) 761-8328
Email: [email protected]

Diesel Mechanic Wages by Metro Area in Delaware

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

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington	4,490	$64,550	$66,580	$47,380	$87,700
Dover	120	$61,820	$64,850	$47,460	$82,650

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 Delaware? Delaware currently employs approximately 670 diesel mechanics ¹. Nationally, diesel mechanic employment is projected to grow 2.4% from 2024 to 2034 ².

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

How much do diesel mechanics earn in Delaware compared to the national average? The median annual wage for diesel mechanics in Delaware is $63,590, which is $2,950 above the national median of $60,640 according to BLS data ¹.

In Delaware

Best Trade Schools in Delaware (2026)

Explore More Trades in Delaware

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

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Delaware Office of Apprenticeship and Training: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎

Data sources

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

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / 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)