Diesel Mechanic vs Crane Operator
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
Crane Operator
Heavy Equipment · 3yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$67,153
Salary Range$54,377 – $86,258
5yr Growth+11%
Trade Pay ScoreC (68/100)
Total Employment173,474
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | Diesel Mechanic | Crane Operator | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $73,710 | $85,250 | -$11,540 |
| New York, NY | $72,771 | $86,258 | -$13,487 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $68,978 | $74,270 | -$5,292 |
| Chicago, IL | $67,940 | $68,994 | -$1,054 |
| Seattle, WA | $67,005 | $81,306 | -$14,301 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $66,424 | $79,753 | -$13,329 |
| Boston, MA | $65,267 | $86,242 | -$20,975 |
| Denver, CO | $62,846 | $65,489 | -$2,643 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $61,255 | $69,281 | -$8,026 |
| Houston, TX | $61,184 | $62,666 | -$1,482 |
| Portland, OR | $60,373 | $71,967 | -$11,594 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $58,507 | $68,987 | -$10,480 |
| Atlanta, GA | $58,416 | $62,921 | -$4,505 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $56,933 | $69,837 | -$12,904 |
| Nashville, TN | $56,573 | $63,797 | -$7,224 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $56,188 | $66,628 | -$10,440 |
| New Orleans, LA | $55,843 | $56,054 | -$211 |
| Detroit, MI | $55,569 | $68,748 | -$13,179 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $55,247 | $59,951 | -$4,704 |
| Kansas City, MO | $54,335 | $62,988 | -$8,653 |
| Dallas, TX | $53,970 | $62,391 | -$8,421 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $53,610 | $62,718 | -$9,108 |
| St. Louis, MO | $52,947 | $59,978 | -$7,031 |
| Columbus, OH | $52,810 | $65,644 | -$12,834 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $52,367 | $56,366 | -$3,999 |
| Raleigh, NC | $51,277 | $61,834 | -$10,557 |
| Miami, FL | $50,711 | $56,795 | -$6,084 |
| Charlotte, NC | $49,453 | $64,816 | -$15,363 |
| Tampa, FL | $48,707 | $54,377 | -$5,670 |
| San Antonio, TX | $47,316 | $58,280 | -$10,964 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Diesel Mechanics or Crane Operators make more money?
Crane Operators earn more on average, with a national median salary of $67,153 compared to $58,284 — a difference of $8,869 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Diesel Mechanic or Crane Operator?
Crane Operator has stronger 5-year wage growth at 11% vs 9%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Diesel Mechanic requires 3 years of apprenticeship, while Crane Operator requires 3 years.
Diesel Mechanic salary by city →
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