How much do diesel mechanics make an hour in Tampa, FL?

The median hourly wage is $29.36. The middle half earn between $24.30 and $36.04 an hour. (BLS, May 2025.)

What do entry-level diesel mechanics make in Tampa, FL?

BLS doesn't report pay by license level. The 10th-percentile wage, $21.61 an hour ($44,950 a year), is a reasonable estimate of starting pay; the 25th percentile is $24.30.

Do diesel mechanics make more in Tampa or Cape Coral?

Cape Coral pays more: the median is $61,060 in Tampa and $62,010 in Cape Coral, a 2% difference.

How does Tampa pay compare with the rest of Florida?

The Tampa median of $61,060 is 1% more than the Florida median of $60,490.

Diesel mechanic salary in Tampa, FL

Updated September 27, 2026 with BLS data from May 2025

Diesel mechanics in the Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater, FL area earn a median of $61,060 a year, or $29.36 an hour, according to May 2025 BLS data. The top 10% earn more than $78,120. Statewide, diesel mechanics earn a median of $60,490; Tampa is 1% above it.

Median yearly pay$61,060

Bottom 10% under$44,950Top 10% over$78,120

Entry-level starting pay (estimate): $21.61/hr
Jobs in this area: 1,910
After cost of living: $60,520
Median hourly pay: $29.36/hr
vs U.S. median: −1%
vs Florida median: +1%

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (area 45300, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL). Excludes self-employed diesel mechanics. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024. *Starting pay is estimated from the 10th percentile; BLS does not report pay by license level.

Entry-level to master diesel mechanic pay

Stage	Yearly pay	Hourly pay
Entry level	$44,950–$50,550$21.61–$24.30/hr
Experienced mechanic	$61,060$29.36/hr
Master / top earners	$74,950–$78,120$36.04–$37.56/hr

Estimated from BLS percentiles (10th–25th, median, 75th–90th); BLS does not report pay by license level.

How Tampa, FL compares

Tampa ranks 8th of 22 Florida metro areas for diesel mechanic pay.
Diesel mechanics are less concentrated in the Tampa area than nationally: 1.3 of every 1,000 jobs, 0.71 times the U.S. share.
The 90th-percentile wage, $78,120, is 1.7 times the 10th-percentile wage, $44,950: a measure of how much pay rises with experience and specialty.

Other Florida metro areas

Other trades in Tampa, FL

Electrician HVAC technician Welder Lineman Plumber Carpenter Elevator mechanic Heavy equipment operator Auto mechanic Roofer Ironworker

Questions

How much do diesel mechanics make in Tampa, FL?: Diesel mechanics in the Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater, FL area earn a median of $61,060 a year, or $29.36 an hour, according to May 2025 BLS data. The top 10% earn more than $78,120.
How much do diesel mechanics make an hour in Tampa, FL?: The median hourly wage is $29.36. The middle half earn between $24.30 and $36.04 an hour. (BLS, May 2025.)
What do entry-level diesel mechanics make in Tampa, FL?: BLS doesn't report pay by license level. The 10th-percentile wage, $21.61 an hour ($44,950 a year), is a reasonable estimate of starting pay; the 25th percentile is $24.30.
Do diesel mechanics make more in Tampa or Cape Coral?: Cape Coral pays more: the median is $61,060 in Tampa and $62,010 in Cape Coral, a 2% difference.
How does Tampa pay compare with the rest of Florida?: The Tampa median of $61,060 is 1% more than the Florida median of $60,490.

About this data

Wages are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey for May 2025, occupation 49-3031 (Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists), area code 45300 (Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL). BLS counts wage and salary workers only, so self-employed diesel mechanics and business owners aren't included. The cost-of-living figure divides the median by the Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity for 2024 (100.9, where the U.S. average is 100). Page updated September 27, 2026. How we calculate these figures