Hey guys I was wondering if there are any diesels mechs out there. I am considering the possibility of going to school to be a diesel mech and just wanted some info on it. About how long is the schooling, salary/hourly wage average if you don't mind, and any other info you might have. Thanks in advance guys!

 

im graduating high school in 2 weeks and im going to j sargent reynolds comm college to become a diesel tech. a got accepted and the course is 3 semesters. i start in the fall

 

When I get out of the Corps I am planning on going to UTI it is down near West Chester I think.

 

Depends where you work, I work for some spots that pay well and then there are those that cry if I try to charge $20hr for out calls.

 

Where in VA are you located?! I saw J Sarge and was like hold on!



A buddy of mine went to some school in Knoxville or Nashville TN and he got out and started working at a local shop on big rigs. Makes decent money and it wasnt that long of a school process...

 

Adam, another Marine I see? Semper Fi brother. Unfortunately I'm a POG, but good to see some other Marines aboard.

 

There are a few of us around. I asked you in another thread if you are with bulk fuel down in DE?

 

i got one year left and i like it. if i were you i would check with a dealership before you make a college choice. i know CAT sends all there techs to a certains school for training on CAT same as freightliner.Kw and pete.. just whatever way you wanna go. either Trucks or Equip. i do think theres more oppertunity to make more money on the equip side tho.

 

Definately more money in equipment than in trucks/big rigs.

 

you gotta also consider tools.... so the first couple years you wont make the money you hear everybody talk about

 

well i think one reason is that equip. can be worked on about anywhere... trucks you really gotta have the facility and the equip. like computer systems...and even dynos in some situations... not to even mention injector pop tests and flow meters.. you cant really run all that on the side of a 4 lane

 

i live in mechanicsville right out side of richmond. what about you?

 

My cousin went to the school down in Nashville and one of my son's roomates is going to school in Bozeman Montana, additionally, my best friend was a diesel mechanic for several years. My cousin did the gas thing and works for a Toyota dealership and seems to do quite well. My friend didn't do too well at it, $11.50 hr and no benefits. He worked for a charter bus company out in Spokane Washington. I would say get specialized like with Cat, and like others have said, equpment seems to pay better than big rigs, but the working conditions can be worse i.e. fixing unit on site versus in the shop. How is your mechanical aptitude? do you learn quickly? these are things you need to ask yourself before you walk in the door. I know waaay to many poeple who do more damage than good trying to work on their own equipment.

 

Yes sir I am. Since I've been on active I've been working with the I&I staff here, I've been working on some of the motor t trucks in our lot. Did some work on our LVS today. Drove it for the first time today too. Now that is some diesel power!

 

OK, dumb question, but why wouldn't a couple of Jarheads just consider extending for another year with a change in MOS to get the learning and OJT out of the way as a diesel tech?

That's got to be a lot easier on the knees than humpin a 60 Adam. No offense Chris, but I don't imagine the POG work is too hard on the body parts.

I was 0311 for the record.