{"id":631,"date":"2021-10-06T02:16:59","date_gmt":"2021-10-06T02:16:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost:10008\/?p=631"},"modified":"2024-03-12T14:07:53","modified_gmt":"2024-03-12T14:07:53","slug":"diesel-vs-automotive-mechanics-salary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/learndiesels.com\/diesel-vs-automotive-mechanics-salary\/","title":{"rendered":"Diesel\/Automotive Techs – Who Makes More Money?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So you want to know which field makes more money, huh? Well, in my experience, diesel mechanics always make more than automotive guys but don\u2019t take my word for it. I can show you the numbers. So before you get all \u201ctorqued\u201d up and buy $10k worth of Snap-On tools to start your new job at the Ford dealership, let me show you what you may not have considered. Grab your pro wrench and come with me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Diesel mechanic salary vs Auto mechanic salary. Who makes more?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diesel Mechanics. Hands down! 1. Salary. Diesel mechanics make on average $3.20 an hour more. 2. Benefits. Most diesel shops have better benefits. 3. Opportunity. Automotive guys only work on gas engines. 4. Job security. Diesel technology is going to outlast gas engines. 5. Advancement. Diesel mechanics have more opportunities to grow their knowledge and career.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Diesel salary means \u201cmucho dinero\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, who is it going to be? Who makes more dinero? These are the hard facts. Not your uncle\u2019s opinion. Diesel mechanics make an average of $47,350 per year or $22.76 per hour, auto mechanics make an average of $40,710 per year or $19.57 per hour. Source<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There you go. End of the argument. Diesel mechanics make more. If you do the math, it comes to $3.20 an hour more money. That\u2019s a lot of cheese over a 40 hour week. Like, $128 more a week! That\u2019s $556 extra a month more as a diesel mechanic!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut John, I really like working on cars!\u201d Ok. So, go to work on cars for a living. I guarantee you will not be as enthusiastic about other people\u2019s vehicles as you are your own. Especially, when it is not a cool one like a 1980\u2019s Honda. It\u2019s not near as much fun as a classic mustang. Besides, think of the Benjamin\u2019s you are turning down as an auto mechanic.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bottom line, you can use the extra dough that you make as a diesel mechanic to support your automotive \u201cprojects\u201d. Like working on your personal racecar, buggy, motorcycle, or whatever you\u2019re into.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That will keep your love for cars from turning into just another \u201choney-do\u201d sitting in your yard. \u201cBabe, when are you gonna fix that piece of junk and get it out of our yard?\u201d Yeah, we\u2019ve heard that before, haven\u2019t we?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Diesel shops have better benefits<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you think about \u201cpay\u201d you have to consider benefits. In most cases, diesel mechanics are gonna have better options for insurance and retirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This may not seem important when you are young, but as you age in the workforce you will realize how important those two are. I can say this because I\u2019m old now. Haha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you chose to be an auto mechanic, chances are you\u2019re gonna have to work for a dealership to have any chance at benefits to speak of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s worse, most dealers heavily<\/strong> regulate<\/strong> their benefits pretty well across the board. A shame really. I have a friend who worked for a dealer for years and never got much out of it but a paycheck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s the thing you have to keep in mind about dealers. You work for the dealer, not a car manufacture. I think that\u2019s a big misconception among younger mechanics. Just because you work at a Ford dealer doesn\u2019t mean Ford is signing your paycheck every week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s right, Mr. Ford doesn\u2019t sign your check. \u201cMr. Borrow a bunch of money to buy my cars!\u201d owns the dealership. You better make sure you read the fine print of your job contract as carefully as your car purchase contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simple question. If you don\u2019t trust a car salesman, why would you trust a dealership owner who used to be a car salesman? Just asking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now look, I don\u2019t think all these guys are bad. There are honest ones out there. However, unlike the Ford motor company, which has great pay and benefits, the car dealership is just another small business. Like \u201cUncle Bob\u2019s Car Garage\u201d down the street from your house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That means your benefits will be limited, your paycheck will be less, and you will likely be paid a flat rate. No one wants that. That means the more you work the less you make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s not to say that working at a dealership is all negative. It\u2019s just not where you should set your sites. Set your bar a bit higher. After all, you are a talented mechanic!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diesel mechanics, on the other hand, are usually in a \u201cfleet\u201d environment or work for a company that works on big equipment. These are more expensive vehicles and equipment. That means bigger customers, bigger companies, and more stable income for whatever business you\u2019re in. That means better pay and benefits for you.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention, good diesel mechanics are hard to find and harder to keep. Because of this, most \u201cfleet\u201d shops are willing to spend a little more in pay and benefits to keep you around. That will compound in your favor. The more money they spend on you, the more valuable you become to the company you work for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. More to work on than just cars and pickups<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As an auto mechanic, you are limited to just that. While you can work on vehicles in many different capacities, by in large, you will be working on just cars and pickups. In the diesel world, you have so many more other opportunities to choose from. More opportunities equal more experience.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the different applications for diesel include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n