How long does diesel mechanic training take in Iowa?

Most paths into the diesel mechanic field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

Do diesel mechanics need a license in Iowa?

No statewide license is required for diesel mechanics in Iowa. Most employers expect industry certifications such as ASE Medium-Heavy Truck Certification.

What apprenticeships are available for diesel mechanics in Iowa?

In Iowa, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Iowa Office of Registered Apprenticeship, 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 Iowa (2026)

Q: How much do diesel mechanics earn in Iowa?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), diesel mechanics in Iowa earned a median annual wage of approximately $59,680. Employment concentration in Iowa is about 1.42 times the national average for this occupation.

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

Iowa currently employs approximately 4,140 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

Iowa bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists earn a median annual wage of $59,680 ($28.69/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 4,140 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -3.4% below the national median of $61,770 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $59,680 ($28.69/hr)
25th percentile: $48,770 per year
75th percentile: $71,570 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $80,080 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $43,710 per year
Workers employed in Iowa: 4,140
Versus national median: -3.4% below the U.S. median of $61,770
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.42 - this occupation is more concentrated in Iowa than the national average

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

Iowa employs about 4,140 diesel mechanics earning a median $59,680 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). No statewide license is required; most diesel mechanics train through a certificate program and earn an industry certification before employers will hire them.

Key Facts

Median wage (Iowa): $59,680/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in Iowa: 4,140 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 1.42x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: 2.4% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

Diesel Mechanic Wages by Metro Area in Iowa

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

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Omaha	1,120	$60,960	$62,220	$45,580	$81,250
Des Moines-West Des Moines	1,050	$61,630	$62,620	$46,560	$79,260
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island	520	$61,270	$62,510	$44,580	$78,120
Cedar Rapids	490	$60,010	$65,290	$46,310	$88,090
Sioux City	180	$60,600	$62,000	$46,290	$82,860
Dubuque	170	$57,630	$59,340	$45,720	$78,060
Waterloo-Cedar Falls	150	$58,190	$58,260	$43,850	$75,030
Iowa City	120	$60,150	$60,990	$45,320	$76,290
Ames	80	$61,360	$61,800	$46,820	$82,640

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 .

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Median wage (Iowa): $59,680 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Diesel Mechanic in Iowa

How to become a diesel mechanic in Iowa? Iowa does not require a state license for diesel mechanics, but employers typically expect industry certifications such as ASE Medium-Heavy Truck Certification. Complete a training program to prepare.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

Do I need a license in Iowa? No state license is required, but certifications such as ASE Medium-Heavy Truck Certification are expected by most employers.

What do diesel mechanics earn in Iowa? The median annual wage for diesel mechanics in Iowa is $59,680 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $43,710 and experienced professionals can earn $80,080 or more ¹.

How to Become a Diesel Mechanic in Iowa

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Iowa training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an accredited trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Iowa that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
Earn an industry certification. While Iowa does not require a statewide license, earn ASE Medium-Heavy Truck Certification to meet employer expectations and improve hiring prospects.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Diesel Mechanic Certification Options in Iowa

Iowa does not require a state license to work as a diesel mechanic. However, industry certifications can strengthen your resume and may be required by employers.

Common certifications for diesel mechanics include:

ASE Medium-Heavy Truck Certification

For more information, visit the ASE - National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence ³. Contact training programs in Iowa for details on certification preparation courses.

Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship Information in Iowa

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Iowa’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Iowa Office of Registered Apprenticeship ⁴.

Contact Information:

Office: Iowa Workforce Development
Address: 1000 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone: (515) 725-3675
Email: [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for diesel mechanics in Iowa? Iowa currently employs approximately 4,140 diesel mechanics ¹. Nationally, diesel mechanic employment is projected to grow 2.4% from 2024 to 2034 ².

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

How much do diesel mechanics earn in Iowa compared to the national average? The median annual wage for diesel mechanics in Iowa is $59,680, which is $960 below the national median of $60,640 according to BLS data ¹.

In Iowa

Best Trade Schools in Iowa (2026)

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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
ASE - National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence: https://www.ase.com/ ↩︎
Iowa Office of Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/registered-apprenticeship ↩︎

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)