Diesel Mechanic / Fleet Technician Salary
Salary Breakdown
Diesel Mechanic / Fleet Technician Pay Per Hour
A diesel mechanic / fleet technician in waste management earns an average of $30.00 per hour. The table below converts every annual figure on this page to an hourly, weekly and monthly equivalent at a standard 2080-hour work year (40 hours a week, 52 weeks), so you can compare an hourly job posting directly against an advertised annual salary.
| Level | Per Hour | Per Week | Per Month | Per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry level | $20.19 | $808 | $3,500 | $42,000 |
| Low end | $23.08 | $923 | $4,000 | $48,000 |
| Average | $30.00 | $1,212 | $5,250 | $63,000 |
| High end | $39.42 | $1,577 | $6,833 | $82,000 |
| Senior / top of scale | $44.23 | $1,769 | $7,667 | $92,000 |
Hourly, weekly and monthly columns are calculated from the annual figures in this guide (annual ÷ 2080 hours, ÷ 52 weeks and ÷ 12 months). They describe base pay only. Overtime, shift differentials and bonuses are not included.
Top Paying Cities
| City | State | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York | NY | $78,000 |
| Los Angeles | CA | $74,000 |
| Chicago | IL | $70,000 |
| Houston | TX | $68,000 |
| Denver | CO | $66,000 |
About This Role
Diesel mechanics in waste management maintain and repair heavy-duty collection trucks, roll-off vehicles, and front-loaders. They diagnose engine, hydraulic, and electrical issues to minimize vehicle downtime and keep fleets running safely. Preventive maintenance schedules and DOT inspection compliance are core responsibilities.
Key Skills
Certifications
Entry-Level Pay and Getting Hired With No Experience
Fleet shops hire at two levels. Lead and A-level technician roles require proven heavy-truck experience and ASE certification, but most shops also run entry-level technician, lube-tech and apprentice positions that take candidates straight out of trade school, or with no formal training at all, and develop them on the floor. Employers commonly pay for ASE testing and hydraulic training once you are on staff, so the certifications listed below are more often earned during the job than required to get it.
Entry-level pay for this role starts around $42,000 a year, about $20.19 an hour, or roughly $3,500 a month before overtime. That is $21,000 below the national average for the role, which is the gap experience, certifications and location close over time.
Other waste management roles that regularly hire without prior industry experience: CDL Driver ($26.50/hr), Recycling Sorter ($16.50/hr), Hazmat Waste Handler ($25.00/hr) and Sales / Account Manager ($33.00/hr).
See entry-level mechanic / technician jobs hiring now →Part-Time Diesel Mechanic / Fleet Technician Work
Shop technician work is overwhelmingly full-time because fleets need trucks turned around overnight. The flexibility in this role comes from shift choice (first, second and overnight shifts) rather than reduced hours, and night shifts often carry a premium.
If a reduced schedule is what you need, the roles below carry far more genuine part-time availability while keeping you in the same industry.
Waste management roles with the most part-time and weekend availability: CDL Driver ($26.50/hr), Recycling Sorter ($16.50/hr), Helper / Laborer ($15.50/hr) and Admin / Office ($20.00/hr).
Search part-time mechanic / technician jobs →Union Pay Scale for Diesel Mechanic / Fleet Technicians
Shop technicians at municipal fleets and at unionised private haulers are frequently covered by a collective bargaining agreement, often through a Machinists or Teamsters local. Union shops typically pay on a posted classification scale (apprentice through A-tech) with tool allowances and step increases written into the contract. Non-union shops are common too, so confirm which applies before comparing offers.
One important caveat: the figures on this page are national averages across union and non-union employers alike. They are not a union wage scale. Actual scale rates are set contract by contract and local by local, they change when an agreement is renegotiated, and the only authoritative source is the current agreement itself. Request it from the local or the employer’s HR department before you rely on a number.
Other commonly unionised waste management roles: CDL Driver, Recycling Sorter and Helper / Laborer.
Job Outlook
Skilled diesel mechanics are in high demand across the waste management industry as fleets age and companies invest in new CNG and electric collection vehicles. The shortage of qualified technicians has driven wages up significantly in recent years. Mechanics with experience in alternative fuel systems and advanced diagnostics are especially sought after.
Mechanic / Technician Jobs Hiring Now
- Diesel Mechanic/TechnicianFull-TimeRepublic Services · Ottawa, IL
- Lead Diesel Mechanic/TechnicianFull-TimeRepublic Services · Urbana, IL
- Maintenance Shop Technician C- 2nd ShiftFull-TimeRepublic Services · Dayton, OH
- Diesel MechanicFull-TimeWaste Connections · Wichita, KS
- Licensed B MechanicFull-TimeMBG Refuse Service Inc. · Hanover, MD
Diesel Mechanic / Fleet Technician Career Path & Salary Expectations
A career as a diesel mechanic / fleet technician in the waste management industry offers a clear trajectory from entry-level positions starting around $42,000 per year to senior roles earning $92,000 or more annually. With the national average sitting at $63,000 ($30.00/hr), professionals in this field can expect competitive compensation that grows with experience, certifications, and geographic location. Top-paying markets like New York offer salaries as high as $78,000. Whether you are just entering the waste and recycling industry or looking to advance your career, investing in relevant skills and certifications is the most reliable path to higher earning potential in this essential and growing sector.
Put another way, the average works out to about $30.00 an hour, $1,212 a week or $5,250 a month on a full 2080-hour year, before the overtime, shift premiums and bonuses covered above. To compare this role against the rest of the industry, see the full waste management salary guide, or go straight to mechanic / technician openings and every waste management job on the board.