Do diesel mechanics need a license in New York?

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

What apprenticeships are available for diesel mechanics in New York?

In New York, registered apprenticeships are administered through the New York Office of 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 New York (2026)

Q: How long does diesel mechanic training take in New York?

Most people become a Diesel Mechanic in New York 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 New York?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), diesel mechanics in New York earned a median annual wage of approximately $70,100. Employment concentration in New York is roughly 0.73 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 New York?

New York currently employs approximately 13,230 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

New York bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists earn a median annual wage of $70,100 ($33.70/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 13,230 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 13.5% above the national median of $61,770 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $70,100 ($33.70/hr)
25th percentile: $58,420 per year
75th percentile: $86,450 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $90,090 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $48,360 per year
Workers employed in New York: 13,230
Versus national median: 13.5% above the U.S. median of $61,770
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.73 - this occupation is less concentrated in New York than the national average

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

New York employs about 13,230 diesel mechanics earning a median $70,100 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.

New York employs approximately 13,230 diesel mechanics according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $70,100 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 New York, 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 (New York): $70,100 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Diesel Mechanic in New York

How to become a Diesel Mechanic in New York? 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 New York? 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 New York? The median annual wage for diesel mechanics in New York is $70,100 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $48,360 and experienced professionals can earn $90,090 or more ¹.

How to Become a Diesel Mechanic in New York

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 New York

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 New York

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

Contact Information:

Office: Apprenticeship Training Unit, New York State Department of Labor
Address: State Campus Building, Albany, NY 12240
Phone: (518) 457-4497
Email: [email protected]

Diesel Mechanic Wages by Metro Area in New York

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

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
New York-Newark-Jersey City	12,430	$75,780	$75,150	$51,240	$94,320
Buffalo-Cheektowaga	1,020	$63,270	$65,170	$46,960	$84,700
Rochester	870	$61,240	$62,280	$46,070	$83,180
Albany-Schenectady-Troy	780	$63,850	$66,200	$46,490	$83,730
Syracuse	670	$64,770	$66,140	$47,250	$88,300
Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh	650	$63,950	$65,900	$49,550	$81,420
Utica-Rome	240	$58,970	$59,510	$46,680	$74,520
Binghamton	230	$59,760	$60,040	$43,710	$75,430
Kingston	110	$61,620	$62,360	$47,440	$81,070
Watertown-Fort Drum	80	$60,210	$62,700	$45,950	$79,200
Elmira	70	$60,450	$61,190	$45,190	$79,360
Ithaca	70	$61,500	$60,090	$45,780	$75,520
Glens Falls	60	$58,760	$61,570	$46,690	$76,550

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 New York? New York currently employs approximately 13,230 diesel mechanics ¹. Nationally, diesel mechanic employment is projected to grow 2.4% from 2024 to 2034 ².

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

How much do diesel mechanics earn in New York compared to the national average? The median annual wage for diesel mechanics in New York is $70,100, which is $9,460 above the national median of $60,640 according to BLS data ¹.

In New York

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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
New York Office of Apprenticeship: https://www.labor.ny.gov/apprenticeship/sponsor/index.shtm ↩︎

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)