---
title: "Diesel Mechanic Salary in Tennessee: Pay & Jobs"
canonical: https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/diesel-mechanic/tennessee/
description: "Diesel Mechanic pay in Tennessee: BLS average $60,590 (all experience levels), median $59,190, bottom 10% $40,450. 28 listed programs."
updated: 2026-11-03
wage_source: "BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15"
---

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4. Tennessee
 Tennessee

# Diesel Mechanic pay in *Tennessee*

What diesel mechanics earn in Tennessee: BLS OEWS May 2025 pay for the state and 10 metro areas, plus job counts and 28 listed training programs.

- **$60,590** Average pay (state)
- **$40,450** Entry-level / bottom 10%
- **$59,190** Median pay (state)
- **$80,580** Top 10% earn over

5,720 jobs in Tennessee · 28 listed programs. [Average pay across all experience levels (BLS OEWS May 2025)](https://highpayingtrades.com/methodology/).

Cities with listed programs

- [Crossville 4](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/diesel-mechanic/tennessee/crossville/)
- [Nashville 4](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/diesel-mechanic/tennessee/nashville/)
- [Elizabethton 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/diesel-mechanic/tennessee/elizabethton/)
- [Harriman 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/diesel-mechanic/tennessee/harriman/)
- [Knoxville 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/diesel-mechanic/tennessee/knoxville/)
- [Newbern 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/diesel-mechanic/tennessee/newbern/)
- [Dickson 2](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/diesel-mechanic/tennessee/dickson/)
- [Livingston 2](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/diesel-mechanic/tennessee/livingston/)

BLS wage data

## Diesel Mechanic pay in Tennessee

Annual wages from the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15.

| Area | 10th pct | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | 90th pct | Mean | Employed |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Tennessee | $40,450 | $48,680 | $59,190 | $71,610 | $80,580 | $60,590 | 5,720 |
| United States | $44,530 | $50,540 | $61,770 | $75,470 | $88,740 | $64,320 | 289,960 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15.

### Metro areas

| Area | 10th pct | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | 90th pct | Mean | Employed |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $46,070 | $52,040 | $61,360 | $75,500 | $96,110 | $65,740 | 1,240 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $45,710 | $52,150 | $60,760 | $75,120 | $82,300 | $63,720 | 1,780 |
| Morristown, TN | $41,600 | $48,810 | $60,700 | $67,850 | $73,860 | $59,340 | 130 |
| Knoxville, TN | $36,630 | $47,430 | $58,010 | $65,100 | $74,640 | $56,180 | 910 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $38,540 | $47,980 | $57,630 | $73,180 | $77,120 | $58,470 | 290 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $39,000 | $46,840 | $57,450 | $64,600 | $83,200 | $58,050 | 480 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $37,590 | $45,390 | $56,940 | $62,780 | $75,640 | $55,950 | 120 |
| Jackson, TN | $39,610 | $46,890 | $55,690 | $62,800 | $72,610 | $55,830 | 210 |
| Johnson City, TN | $37,620 | $44,120 | $53,290 | $62,310 | $78,990 | $55,440 | 60 |
| Cleveland, TN | $38,760 | $45,760 | $49,050 | $58,870 | $65,430 | $53,600 | 90 |
Metropolitan area estimates, BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15. Only areas BLS published are shown.

Programs

## Listed programs in Tennessee

Every diesel mechanic program we matched in Tennessee. Schools with published tuition are listed first.

| Program / provider | Location | Type | Graduates 2023-24 | Tuition | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Lincoln College of Technology-Nashville](https://www.lincolntech.edu/campus/nashville-tn) Medium/Heavy Vehicle and Truck Technology/Technician | Nashville, TN | Associate degree | 8 | $37,769 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0613 |
| [Lincoln College of Technology-Nashville](https://www.lincolntech.edu/campus/nashville-tn) Medium/Heavy Vehicle and Truck Technology/Technician | Nashville, TN | Certificate (2-4 years) | 94 | $37,769 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0613 |
| [Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville](https://www.tcatnashville.edu/) Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Nashville, TN | Certificate (2-4 years) | 19 | $6,348 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
| [Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville](https://www.tcatnashville.edu/) Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Nashville, TN | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 2 | $6,348 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
| [Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest](https://www.tcatnorthwest.edu/) Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Newbern, TN | Certificate (1-2 years) | 4 | $5,948 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
| [Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest](https://www.tcatnorthwest.edu/) Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Newbern, TN | Certificate (2-4 years) | 0 | $5,948 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
| [Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest](https://www.tcatnorthwest.edu/) Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Newbern, TN | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 4 | $5,948 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
| [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crump](https://www.tcatcrump.edu/) Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Crump, TN | Certificate (1-2 years) | 10 | $5,948 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
| [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson](https://www.tcatdickson.edu/) Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Dickson, TN | Certificate (2-4 years) | 22 | $7,435 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
| [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson](https://www.tcatdickson.edu/) Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Dickson, TN | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 1 | $7,435 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
| [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton](https://www.tcatelizabethton.edu/) Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Elizabethton, TN | Certificate (1-2 years) | 2 | $4,471 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
| [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton](https://www.tcatelizabethton.edu/) Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Elizabethton, TN | Certificate (2-4 years) | 28 | $4,471 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
| [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton](https://www.tcatelizabethton.edu/) Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Elizabethton, TN | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 4 | $4,471 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
| [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman](https://www.tcatharriman.edu/) Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Harriman, TN | Certificate (1-2 years) | 0 | $4,761 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
| [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman](https://www.tcatharriman.edu/) Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Harriman, TN | Certificate (2-4 years) | 8 | $4,761 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
| [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman](https://www.tcatharriman.edu/) Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Harriman, TN | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 3 | $4,761 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
| [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville](https://www.tcatknoxville.edu/) Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Knoxville, TN | Certificate (1-2 years) | 0 | $4,820 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
| [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville](https://www.tcatknoxville.edu/) Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Knoxville, TN | Certificate (2-4 years) | 16 | $4,820 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
| [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville](https://www.tcatknoxville.edu/) Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Knoxville, TN | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 0 | $4,820 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
| [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Livingston](https://www.tcatlivingston.edu/) Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Livingston, TN | Certificate (1-2 years) | 9 | $4,761 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
| [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Livingston](https://www.tcatlivingston.edu/) Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Livingston, TN | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 0 | $4,761 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
| [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Memphis](https://www.tcatmemphis.edu/) Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Memphis, TN | Certificate (2-4 years) | 6 | $7,336 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
| [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Memphis](https://www.tcatmemphis.edu/) Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Memphis, TN | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 1 | $7,336 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
| [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Oneida-Huntsville](https://tcatoneida.edu/) Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Huntsville, TN | Certificate (2-4 years) | 1 | $4,247 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
| [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Upper Cumberland](https://tcatuppercumberland.edu/) Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Crossville, TN | Certificate (1-2 years) | 10 | $5,948 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
| [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Upper Cumberland](https://tcatuppercumberland.edu/) Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Crossville, TN | Certificate (2-4 years) | 0 | $5,948 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
| [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Upper Cumberland](https://tcatuppercumberland.edu/) Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Crossville, TN | Certificate (under 12 weeks) | 0 | $5,948 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
| [Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Upper Cumberland](https://tcatuppercumberland.edu/) Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Crossville, TN | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 3 | $5,948 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
Schools: NCES IPEDS Completions 2023-24, matched by 6-digit CIP code; “Graduates 2023-24” is the number of first-major certificates or associate degrees the school awarded in that program from July 2023 to June 2024 (IPEDS). Tuition: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (updated 2026-10-15), matched by IPEDS unit ID; it is the published figure, not a quote. Apprenticeship sponsors: DOL Office of Apprenticeship partner file (retrieved 2026-10-29); apprenticeships are typically paid, so no tuition is listed — contact the program.

### Browse by city

- [Crossville 4](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/diesel-mechanic/tennessee/crossville/)
- [Nashville 4](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/diesel-mechanic/tennessee/nashville/)
- [Elizabethton 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/diesel-mechanic/tennessee/elizabethton/)
- [Harriman 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/diesel-mechanic/tennessee/harriman/)
- [Knoxville 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/diesel-mechanic/tennessee/knoxville/)
- [Newbern 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/diesel-mechanic/tennessee/newbern/)
- [Dickson 2](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/diesel-mechanic/tennessee/dickson/)
- [Livingston 2](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/diesel-mechanic/tennessee/livingston/)
- [Memphis 2](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/diesel-mechanic/tennessee/memphis/)
- [Crump 1](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/diesel-mechanic/tennessee/crump/)
- [Huntsville 1](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/diesel-mechanic/tennessee/huntsville/)

Related resources

## Keep researching

[**Verified CDL schools, if you also want to drive** Many fleet and diesel shop jobs prefer a CDL; compare FMCSA-registered training. · VerifiedCDLSchools.com](https://verifiedcdlschools.com/) [**GI Bill-approved diesel mechanic programs** Schools that accept VA education benefits. · VeteranTradeSchools.com](https://veterantradeschools.com/diesel-mechanic/) [**Automotive and diesel apprenticeships** The apprenticeship route and sponsors. · RegisteredTradeSchools.com](https://registeredtradeschools.com/trades/automotive/)

## Sources

- **Wages:** U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15 ([news release USDL-26-0725](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ocwage_05152026.htm); [data tables](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm)). Cross-checked against the BLS Public Data API on 2026-11-03.
- **Occupation:** O\*NET OnLine, [49-3031.00 Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists](https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/49-3031.00), retrieved 2026-11-03 (CC BY 4.0).
- **Apprenticeship sponsors:** U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship: partner sponsors file, retrieved 2026-10-29 ([Partner Finder](https://www.apprenticeship.gov/partner-finder)).
- **Schools & graduates:** U.S. Department of Education, NCES IPEDS Completions 2023-24 (C2024\_A) and Institutional Characteristics (HD2024), award year 2023-24, matched by 6-digit CIP code ([completions file](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/datacenter/data/C2024_A.zip); [CIP-SOC crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/Files/CIP2020_SOC2018_Crosswalk.xlsx)).
- **Tuition:** U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (Most Recent Cohorts: Institution + Field of Study), data updated 2026-10-15, matched by IPEDS unit ID ([source](https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/)).

Program listings are matched from public files by occupation code or organization name; they are not endorsements and we have not visited or tested any program. Confirm schedules, entry requirements and costs with the program. Compiled by the HighPayingTrades team; last refreshed 2026-11-03.

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Canonical HTML: https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/diesel-mechanic/tennessee/
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15 (https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ocwage_05152026.htm). Programs: NCES IPEDS 2023-24 completions; DOL Office of Apprenticeship. Tuition: College Scorecard.