How much do diesel mechanics make an hour in Lincoln, NE?

The median hourly wage is $28.64. The middle half earn between $24.10 and $31.06 an hour. (BLS, May 2025.)

What do entry-level diesel mechanics make in Lincoln, NE?

BLS doesn't report pay by license level. The 10th-percentile wage, $22.35 an hour ($46,490 a year), is a reasonable estimate of starting pay; the 25th percentile is $24.10.

Do diesel mechanics make more in Lincoln or Omaha?

Omaha pays more: the median is $59,570 in Lincoln and $60,960 in Omaha, a 2% difference.

How does Lincoln pay compare with the rest of Nebraska?

The Lincoln median of $59,570 is 1% more than the Nebraska median of $59,140.

Diesel mechanic salary in Lincoln, NE

Updated September 27, 2026 with BLS data from May 2025

Diesel mechanics in the Lincoln, NE area earn a median of $59,570 a year, or $28.64 an hour, according to May 2025 BLS data. The top 10% earn more than $80,900. Statewide, diesel mechanics earn a median of $59,140; Lincoln is 1% above it.

Median yearly pay$59,570

Bottom 10% under$46,490Top 10% over$80,900

Entry-level starting pay (estimate): $22.35/hr
Jobs in this area: 410
After cost of living: $65,050
Median hourly pay: $28.64/hr
vs U.S. median: −4%
vs Nebraska median: +1%

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (area 30700, Lincoln, NE). 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	$46,490–$50,130$22.35–$24.10/hr
Experienced mechanic	$59,570$28.64/hr
Master / top earners	$64,600–$80,900$31.06–$38.89/hr

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

How Lincoln, NE compares

Lincoln ranks 3rd of 4 Nebraska metro areas for diesel mechanic pay.
Diesel mechanics are more concentrated in the Lincoln area than nationally: 2.3 of every 1,000 jobs, 1.2 times the U.S. share.
The 90th-percentile wage, $80,900, is 1.7 times the 10th-percentile wage, $46,490: a measure of how much pay rises with experience and specialty.

Other Nebraska metro areas

Other trades in Lincoln, NE

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

Questions

How much do diesel mechanics make in Lincoln, NE?: Diesel mechanics in the Lincoln, NE area earn a median of $59,570 a year, or $28.64 an hour, according to May 2025 BLS data. The top 10% earn more than $80,900.
How much do diesel mechanics make an hour in Lincoln, NE?: The median hourly wage is $28.64. The middle half earn between $24.10 and $31.06 an hour. (BLS, May 2025.)
What do entry-level diesel mechanics make in Lincoln, NE?: BLS doesn't report pay by license level. The 10th-percentile wage, $22.35 an hour ($46,490 a year), is a reasonable estimate of starting pay; the 25th percentile is $24.10.
Do diesel mechanics make more in Lincoln or Omaha?: Omaha pays more: the median is $59,570 in Lincoln and $60,960 in Omaha, a 2% difference.
How does Lincoln pay compare with the rest of Nebraska?: The Lincoln median of $59,570 is 1% more than the Nebraska median of $59,140.

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 30700 (Lincoln, NE). 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 (91.6, where the U.S. average is 100). Page updated September 27, 2026. How we calculate these figures