Diesel Mechanic vs Construction Manager
Which trade pays more? Side-by-side salary comparison using 2025 BLS data.
Diesel Mechanic
Automotive · 3yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$58,284
Salary Range$47,316 – $73,710
5yr Growth+9%
Trade Pay ScoreC (59/100)
Total Employment143,565
Cities Tracked30
Higher Pay
Construction Manager
Management · 0yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$112,501
Salary Range$90,238 – $141,603
5yr Growth+12%
Trade Pay ScoreB (82/100)
Total Employment195,083
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | Diesel Mechanic | Construction Manager | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $73,710 | $133,724 | -$60,014 |
| New York, NY | $72,771 | $138,742 | -$65,971 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $68,978 | $124,384 | -$55,406 |
| Chicago, IL | $67,940 | $121,490 | -$53,550 |
| Seattle, WA | $67,005 | $141,603 | -$74,598 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $66,424 | $134,046 | -$67,622 |
| Boston, MA | $65,267 | $129,499 | -$64,232 |
| Denver, CO | $62,846 | $121,535 | -$58,689 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $61,255 | $124,593 | -$63,338 |
| Houston, TX | $61,184 | $110,350 | -$49,166 |
| Portland, OR | $60,373 | $129,318 | -$68,945 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $58,507 | $103,128 | -$44,621 |
| Atlanta, GA | $58,416 | $105,135 | -$46,719 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $56,933 | $119,631 | -$62,698 |
| Nashville, TN | $56,573 | $107,407 | -$50,834 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $56,188 | $103,583 | -$47,395 |
| New Orleans, LA | $55,843 | $93,203 | -$37,360 |
| Detroit, MI | $55,569 | $103,783 | -$48,214 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $55,247 | $105,962 | -$50,715 |
| Kansas City, MO | $54,335 | $110,643 | -$56,308 |
| Dallas, TX | $53,970 | $111,663 | -$57,693 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $53,610 | $109,848 | -$56,238 |
| St. Louis, MO | $52,947 | $110,487 | -$57,540 |
| Columbus, OH | $52,810 | $102,530 | -$49,720 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $52,367 | $91,823 | -$39,456 |
| Raleigh, NC | $51,277 | $102,831 | -$51,554 |
| Miami, FL | $50,711 | $94,454 | -$43,743 |
| Charlotte, NC | $49,453 | $100,828 | -$51,375 |
| Tampa, FL | $48,707 | $98,578 | -$49,871 |
| San Antonio, TX | $47,316 | $90,238 | -$42,922 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Diesel Mechanics or Construction Managers make more money?
Construction Managers earn more on average, with a national median salary of $112,501 compared to $58,284 — a difference of $54,217 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Diesel Mechanic or Construction Manager?
Construction Manager has stronger 5-year wage growth at 12% vs 9%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Diesel Mechanic requires 3 years of apprenticeship, while Construction Manager requires 0 years.
Diesel Mechanic salary by city →
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