Diesel Technician Career Assessment
Fixing trucks, buses, and diesel engines
Welcome
Diesel technicians repair and maintain the big engines that power trucks, buses, and equipment across North Dakota.
You will explore what this hands-on, in-demand trade is really like and whether it fits you.
This takes about 15 minutes.
What is a Diesel Technician?
A diesel technician (also called a bus and truck mechanic) inspects, diagnoses, and repairs diesel engines and the systems around them: brakes, transmissions, electrical, hydraulics, and emissions controls.
The Reality: Trucks that are broken down cost companies money every hour, so there is pressure to fix them fast. The parts are big and heavy, and the work can be dirty.
Your Responsibilities:
- Inspect trucks and buses for safety
- Use computers to diagnose engine problems
- Repair engines, brakes, and transmissions
- Fix electrical and hydraulic systems
- Service emissions systems
- Do scheduled maintenance
- Road test vehicles
- Keep service records
You keep North Dakota's trucks and buses moving.
A Day in the Life
7:00 AM — Start at the shop. A semi is waiting with a warning light on.
7:30 AM — Connect the laptop. Codes point to an emissions sensor. You test, confirm, and replace it.
10:00 AM — School bus safety inspection: brakes, lights, and steering.
12:00 PM — Lunch.
12:30 PM — Replace air brake parts on a grain truck before harvest.
3:00 PM — A truck breaks down on the highway. You head out with the service truck to fix it on the roadside.
5:30 PM — Back at the shop. Write up the work.
Heavy, hands-on work with a lot of problem solving.
Training in North Dakota
No state license is required. Most techs complete a 1–2 year college program. ASE truck certifications help you advance.
Training Pathways:
- College certificate (about 1 year): Diesel engines, electrical, hydraulics, and brakes.
- Associate degree (2 years): Deeper training and more job options.
- Registered apprenticeship: Earn while you learn at a shop.
Where to Train in North Dakota:
- ND State College of Science (Wahpeton) — Diesel Technology, AAS, plus stackable diesel certificates and the Automotive and Diesel Master Technician AAS
- Williston State College (Williston) — Diesel Technology, AAS (62 credits), certificate (30 credits), or short certificate; class size limited to 16
- Bismarck State College (Bismarck) — Diesel Technology, 1-year certificate with online classes and a supervised co-op internship (requires prior automotive training)
Before You Start: High school diploma or GED is usually expected. A valid driver's license. Many employers want a CDL later on for road testing. You will likely need your own tools.
Tip: Start with financial aid, scholarships, and any help an employer offers — that is where the money starts. After that, ask a career counselor or Job Service North Dakota whether WIOA or other programs can help with what is left over, like training, tools, work boots, or exam fees. What can be paid for depends on the program and on your own situation, so ask before you sign up rather than after. Registered apprenticeships let you earn a paycheck while you learn — see jobsnd.com/job-seeker/apprenticeships for ND programs.
Certification & Licensing
No license. ASE truck certifications help. ASE Medium/Heavy Truck (T-series) tests show your skill level.
Certifications Employers Look For:
- ASE T-series tests (T1–T8) — diesel engines, brakes, electrical, and more
- ASE Master Truck Technician
- Commercial Driver's License (CDL) — often helpful for road testing trucks
The Exams: ASE tests are computer-based and timed. You need 1–3 years of work experience to be certified.
Cost: About $34 to register plus $62 per test. Prices change, so check before you pay.
Keeping It Current: ASE certifications renew every 5 years.
Salary & Job Outlook
North Dakota Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist Pay (May 2025):
- Starting out (bottom 10–25%): $22.49–$27.92/hour ($46,790–$58,080/year)
- Middle (median — half earn more, half earn less): $31.78/hour ($66,110/year)
- Experienced (top 25–10%): $38.99–$44.00/hour ($81,100–$91,520/year)
What that means: ND pays more than the national median for diesel techs. Overtime is common, especially around harvest.
Jobs in North Dakota: About 1,650 people do this work in ND today. By 2034, that should be about 1,740 (about 6% growth). Expect about 140 job openings every year in ND from growth and people retiring or changing jobs. Across the U.S., the change is about 2% growth.
Outlook: Good, with about 140 openings a year in ND. Trucking, farming, and energy keep diesel techs busy.
Who Hires in ND: Truck dealerships, independent shops, trucking companies, school bus garages, city and county fleets, and national service centers.
Work Setting: Shops and sometimes roadside or on-site repairs. Extra hours during harvest and busy seasons.
Physical Demands: High. Heavy parts, climbing on trucks, lying under vehicles, and working outdoors in cold weather for road calls.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, North Dakota, May 2025 (SOC 49-3031); North Dakota and U.S. long-term employment projections 2024–2034, via O*NET OnLine. Numbers are rounded.
Where This Leads
Path 1: Master Truck Technician — Earn all ASE truck certifications.
Path 2: Field Service Tech — Fix trucks and equipment on-site.
Path 3: Heavy Equipment or Farm Equipment — Move into related specialties.
Path 4: Shop Lead or Manager — Lead a team.
Path 5: Fleet Manager — Manage a company's vehicles.
Path 6: Own a Shop — Start your own business.
The Real Talk
What's Great:
- Strong pay in ND
- Lots of jobs statewide
- Short training
- Overtime opportunities
- Hands-on problem solving
- Skills transfer to farm and heavy equipment
What's Hard:
- Heavy, physical work
- Cold road calls in winter
- Pressure to fix trucks fast
- Buying tools is expensive
- Dirty and noisy
- Long hours in busy seasons
Be Honest: Are you physically ready for heavy work? Can you handle pressure when a truck needs to get back on the road? Are you OK working outside in North Dakota winters?