(Photo by Thanin Viriyaki)
More About Diesel Technicians
High-End Earners (Top 10%)
$59,280 annually
Median earners (TOP 50%)
$48,265 annually
Education Required
High school diploma or equivalent
(Source: InterLink 2026 Data, Diesel Engine Specialists)
CTE Pathway
Diesel and Heavy Equipment Maintenance and Commercial Driver Statewide Program of Study
Take courses like Principles of Transportation Systems, Entrepreneurship I and Diesel Equipment Technology.
See pages 16-17 for the full breakdown of the courses you can take in Diesel and Heavy Equipment Maintenance.
(Source: tea.texas.gov/academics/college-career-and-military-prep/career-and-technical-education/cte-programs-of-study)
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
The diesel industry is incredibly specialized, and the skills required to maintain these engines aren't common knowledge. Diesel technicians are the essential experts who keep everything running smoothly – our unsung heroes!
You MIGHT be great at this job if YOU…
Enjoy working on your car, or are interested in working on cars
Like taking toys apart and putting them back together
Prefer to work by yourself rather than in groups of people
Want to work right after high school, and get paid on the job
Izaac Mireles always knew he wanted to make money, live comfortably and enjoy his hobbies without worrying about anything else outside of his work. A set future career was not always on his mind as a kid, but he knew that he was interested in following his father’s path in the oil field. His original plan was to go to work for six months out of the year and make a ton of money to buy his parents whatever they wanted and live a luxurious life! When he realized living far from home to work in the oil field would keep him from his family, missing family events, holidays and other important milestones in his loved ones’ lives, he decided to pivot.
“Knowing that I would be gone for all that made me realize that the money would be wonderful to have and make everything more fun, but being with family and friends [while] enjoying the people I have around me was worth more than the money could ever be,” Izaac said.
During high school, he took three levels of automotive technology off-campus from Birdville High School.
“What I loved about this course was all the friends, memories and connections that were made, and the opportunities that were earned and given to help myself along with other students to have more success in that career and in life,” Izaac said.
While taking these courses, his teacher introduced him to an internship with RDO Equipment Co., and he decided to apply. With no work experience before applying, this internship set him up for success and taught him a lot about working in the field. After graduation, he accepted a job with the company and has been there ever since.
“I would have to say that working in this career keeps you on your toes,” Izaac said. “There’s always a machine or truck that is going to come in and really make you think, and with that, the feeling it gives you when you finish a job, that feeling of accomplishment to me is much greater working on these pieces of equipment compared to a normal car.”
WHERE TO WORK
Texas Dept. of Transportation
WHERE TO LEARN
Tarrant County College
Dallas College Cedar Valley Campus, Lancaster
(Photo by Thanin Viriyaki)
