Do diesel mechanics need a license in Minnesota?

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

What apprenticeships are available for diesel mechanics in Minnesota?

In Minnesota, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Apprenticeship Minnesota, 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 Minnesota (2026)

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

Most people become a Diesel Mechanic in Minnesota 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 Minnesota?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), diesel mechanics in Minnesota earned a median annual wage of approximately $66,840. Employment concentration in Minnesota is about 1.33 times the national average for this occupation.

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

Minnesota currently employs approximately 7,300 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

Minnesota bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists earn a median annual wage of $66,840 ($32.14/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 7,300 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 8.2% above the national median of $61,770 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $66,840 ($32.14/hr)
25th percentile: $59,480 per year
75th percentile: $78,600 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $90,520 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $49,810 per year
Workers employed in Minnesota: 7,300
Versus national median: 8.2% above the U.S. median of $61,770
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.33 - this occupation is more concentrated in Minnesota than the national average

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

Minnesota employs about 7,300 diesel mechanics earning a median $66,840 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 (Minnesota): $66,840/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in Minnesota: 7,300 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 1.33x 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 (Minnesota): $66,840 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Diesel Mechanic in Minnesota

How to become a Diesel Mechanic in Minnesota? 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 Minnesota? 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 Minnesota? The median annual wage for diesel mechanics in Minnesota is $66,840 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $49,810 and experienced professionals can earn $90,520 or more ¹.

How to Become a Diesel Mechanic in Minnesota

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 Minnesota

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 Minnesota

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

Contact Information:

Office: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Apprenticeship Unit
Address: 443 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4303
Phone: (651) 284-5090
Email: [email protected]

Diesel Mechanic Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota

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

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington	4,290	$73,730	$71,900	$51,390	$94,110
Sioux Falls	620	$61,700	$61,970	$46,800	$81,120
Fargo	500	$64,370	$67,860	$48,620	$89,700
Duluth	370	$68,240	$70,780	$49,270	$90,120
Rochester	350	$63,950	$68,230	$50,940	$85,800
St. Cloud	330	$64,410	$65,600	$48,280	$81,940
La Crosse-Onalaska	260	$61,100	$62,890	$45,300	$77,570
Mankato	180	$62,170	$66,140	$48,220	$88,470
Grand Forks	170	$64,220	$65,810	$46,100	$82,940

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 Minnesota? Minnesota currently employs approximately 7,300 diesel mechanics ¹. Nationally, diesel mechanic employment is projected to grow 2.4% from 2024 to 2034 ².

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

How much do diesel mechanics earn in Minnesota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for diesel mechanics in Minnesota is $66,840, which is $6,200 above the national median of $60,640 according to BLS data ¹.

In Minnesota

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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Apprenticeship Minnesota: https://secure.doli.state.mn.us/apprenticeshipsponsor/ ↩︎

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)