How much do diesel mechanics make an hour in Indianapolis, IN?

The median hourly wage is $29.67. The middle half earn between $24.14 and $35.26 an hour. (BLS, May 2025.)

What do entry-level diesel mechanics make in Indianapolis, IN?

BLS doesn't report pay by license level. The 10th-percentile wage, $22.37 an hour ($46,530 a year), is a reasonable estimate of starting pay; the 25th percentile is $24.14.

Do diesel mechanics make more in Indianapolis or Chicago?

Chicago pays more: the median is $61,710 in Indianapolis and $65,680 in Chicago, a 6% difference.

How does Indianapolis pay compare with the rest of Indiana?

The Indianapolis median of $61,710 is 2% more than the Indiana median of $60,610.

Diesel mechanic salary in Indianapolis, IN

Updated September 27, 2026 with BLS data from May 2025

Diesel mechanics in the Indianapolis–Carmel–Greenwood, IN area earn a median of $61,710 a year, or $29.67 an hour, according to May 2025 BLS data. The top 10% earn more than $80,390. Statewide, diesel mechanics earn a median of $60,610; Indianapolis is 2% above it.

Median yearly pay$61,710

Bottom 10% under$46,530Top 10% over$80,390

Entry-level starting pay (estimate): $22.37/hr
Jobs in this area: 2,850
After cost of living: $64,490
Median hourly pay: $29.67/hr
vs U.S. median: 0%
vs Indiana median: +2%

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (area 26900, Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN). 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	$46,530–$50,210$22.37–$24.14/hr
Experienced mechanic	$61,710$29.67/hr
Master / top earners	$73,330–$80,390$35.26–$38.65/hr

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

How Indianapolis, IN compares

Indianapolis ranks 3rd of 15 Indiana metro areas for diesel mechanic pay.
Diesel mechanics are more concentrated in the Indianapolis area than nationally: 2.6 of every 1,000 jobs, 1.4 times the U.S. share.
The 90th-percentile wage, $80,390, is 1.7 times the 10th-percentile wage, $46,530: a measure of how much pay rises with experience and specialty.

Other Indiana metro areas

Other trades in Indianapolis, IN

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

Questions

How much do diesel mechanics make in Indianapolis, IN?: Diesel mechanics in the Indianapolis–Carmel–Greenwood, IN area earn a median of $61,710 a year, or $29.67 an hour, according to May 2025 BLS data. The top 10% earn more than $80,390.
How much do diesel mechanics make an hour in Indianapolis, IN?: The median hourly wage is $29.67. The middle half earn between $24.14 and $35.26 an hour. (BLS, May 2025.)
What do entry-level diesel mechanics make in Indianapolis, IN?: BLS doesn't report pay by license level. The 10th-percentile wage, $22.37 an hour ($46,530 a year), is a reasonable estimate of starting pay; the 25th percentile is $24.14.
Do diesel mechanics make more in Indianapolis or Chicago?: Chicago pays more: the median is $61,710 in Indianapolis and $65,680 in Chicago, a 6% difference.
How does Indianapolis pay compare with the rest of Indiana?: The Indianapolis median of $61,710 is 2% more than the Indiana median of $60,610.

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 26900 (Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN). 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 (95.7, where the U.S. average is 100). Page updated September 27, 2026. How we calculate these figures