How much do diesel mechanics make an hour in Detroit, MI?

The median hourly wage is $30.46. The middle half earn between $25.33 and $35.69 an hour. (BLS, May 2025.)

What do entry-level diesel mechanics make in Detroit, MI?

BLS doesn't report pay by license level. The 10th-percentile wage, $22.52 an hour ($46,840 a year), is a reasonable estimate of starting pay; the 25th percentile is $25.33.

Do diesel mechanics make more in Detroit or Ann Arbor?

Ann Arbor pays more: the median is $63,360 in Detroit and $65,770 in Ann Arbor, a 4% difference.

How does Detroit pay compare with the rest of Michigan?

The Detroit median of $63,360 is 3% more than the Michigan median of $61,420.

Diesel mechanic salary in Detroit, MI

Updated September 27, 2026 with BLS data from May 2025

Diesel mechanics in the Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MI area earn a median of $63,360 a year, or $30.46 an hour, according to May 2025 BLS data. One in ten earns more than $88,810. Statewide, diesel mechanics earn a median of $61,420; Detroit is 3% above it.

Median yearly pay$63,360

Bottom 10% under$46,840Top 10% over$88,810

Entry-level starting pay (estimate): $22.52/hr
Jobs in this area: 3,820
After cost of living: $63,170
Median hourly pay: $30.46/hr
vs U.S. median: +3%
vs Michigan median: +3%

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (area 19820, Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI). 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	$46,840–$52,690$22.52–$25.33/hr
Experienced mechanic	$63,360$30.46/hr
Master / top earners	$74,230–$88,810$35.69–$42.70/hr

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

How Detroit, MI compares

Detroit ranks 2nd of 16 Michigan metro areas for diesel mechanic pay.
Diesel mechanics hold about the same share of jobs in the Detroit area as nationally: 2.0 of every 1,000 jobs.
The 90th-percentile wage, $88,810, is 1.9 times the 10th-percentile wage, $46,840: a measure of how much pay rises with experience and specialty.

Other Michigan metro areas

Other trades in Detroit, MI

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 Detroit, MI?: Diesel mechanics in the Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MI area earn a median of $63,360 a year, or $30.46 an hour, according to May 2025 BLS data. One in ten earns more than $88,810.
How much do diesel mechanics make an hour in Detroit, MI?: The median hourly wage is $30.46. The middle half earn between $25.33 and $35.69 an hour. (BLS, May 2025.)
What do entry-level diesel mechanics make in Detroit, MI?: BLS doesn't report pay by license level. The 10th-percentile wage, $22.52 an hour ($46,840 a year), is a reasonable estimate of starting pay; the 25th percentile is $25.33.
Do diesel mechanics make more in Detroit or Ann Arbor?: Ann Arbor pays more: the median is $63,360 in Detroit and $65,770 in Ann Arbor, a 4% difference.
How does Detroit pay compare with the rest of Michigan?: The Detroit median of $63,360 is 3% more than the Michigan median of $61,420.

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 19820 (Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI). 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 (100.3, where the U.S. average is 100). Page updated September 27, 2026. How we calculate these figures