Do diesel mechanics need a license in Ohio?

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

What apprenticeships are available for diesel mechanics in Ohio?

In Ohio, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Ohio 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 Ohio (2026)

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

Most people become a Diesel Mechanic in Ohio 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 Ohio?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), diesel mechanics in Ohio earned a median annual wage of approximately $60,470. Employment concentration in Ohio is about 1.38 times the national average for this occupation.

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

Ohio currently employs approximately 14,240 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

Ohio bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists earn a median annual wage of $60,470 ($29.07/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 14,240 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -2.1% below the national median of $61,770 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $60,470 ($29.07/hr)
25th percentile: $50,700 per year
75th percentile: $69,290 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $78,120 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $44,860 per year
Workers employed in Ohio: 14,240
Versus national median: -2.1% below the U.S. median of $61,770
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.38 - this occupation is more concentrated in Ohio than the national average

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

Ohio employs about 14,240 diesel mechanics earning a median $60,470 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.

Ohio employs approximately 14,240 diesel mechanics according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,470 ¹. The state’s concentration of diesel mechanic jobs is 1.38x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Ohio, 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 (Ohio): $60,470 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Diesel Mechanic in Ohio

How to become a Diesel Mechanic in Ohio? 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 Ohio? 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 Ohio? The median annual wage for diesel mechanics in Ohio is $60,470 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $44,860 and experienced professionals can earn $78,120 or more ¹.

How to Become a Diesel Mechanic in Ohio

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 Ohio

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 Ohio

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

Contact Information:

Office: Ohio Department of Job and Family Services - ApprenticeOhio
Phone: (614) 466-6282
Email: [email protected]

Diesel Mechanic Wages by Metro Area in Ohio

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

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Columbus	2,690	$62,190	$63,770	$46,680	$80,350
Cincinnati	2,300	$62,400	$63,250	$45,780	$79,810
Cleveland	1,970	$62,690	$63,990	$47,250	$81,290
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek	810	$62,730	$64,160	$47,740	$79,040
Akron	790	$61,010	$61,070	$46,170	$77,810
Toledo	770	$60,680	$60,090	$41,590	$77,260
Canton-Massillon	470	$59,310	$60,500	$43,020	$78,400
Youngstown-Warren	420	$58,190	$58,340	$44,560	$77,370
Huntington-Ashland	250	$51,130	$56,060	$37,450	$84,700
Lima	210	$62,450	$62,360	$46,570	$85,050
Springfield	170	$60,040	$58,340	$44,860	$71,360
Wheeling	140	$57,840	$58,740	$43,680	$74,250
Mansfield	100	$57,650	$58,470	$42,240	$74,560
Weirton-Steubenville	90	$52,170	$54,510	$38,130	$67,380
Sandusky	80	$59,950	$58,230	$40,860	$72,720

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 Ohio? Ohio currently employs approximately 14,240 diesel mechanics ¹. Nationally, diesel mechanic employment is projected to grow 2.4% from 2024 to 2034 ².

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

How much do diesel mechanics earn in Ohio compared to the national average? The median annual wage for diesel mechanics in Ohio is $60,470, which is $170 below the national median of $60,640 according to BLS data ¹.

In Ohio

Ohio Trade Schools 2026: Programs, Costs, Licensing

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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Ohio Office of Apprenticeship: http://jfs.ohio.gov/apprenticeship/Apprenticeship-Opportunities.stm ↩︎

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)