Diesel Mechanic vs Ironworker
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
Ironworker
Structural · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$61,718
Salary Range$51,635 – $76,788
5yr Growth+9%
Trade Pay ScoreC (61/100)
Total Employment146,883
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | Diesel Mechanic | Ironworker | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $73,710 | $76,392 | -$2,682 |
| New York, NY | $72,771 | $76,788 | -$4,017 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $68,978 | $67,403 | +$1,575 |
| Chicago, IL | $67,940 | $61,751 | +$6,189 |
| Seattle, WA | $67,005 | $73,744 | -$6,739 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $66,424 | $73,852 | -$7,428 |
| Boston, MA | $65,267 | $70,882 | -$5,615 |
| Denver, CO | $62,846 | $60,154 | +$2,692 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $61,255 | $66,649 | -$5,394 |
| Houston, TX | $61,184 | $63,096 | -$1,912 |
| Portland, OR | $60,373 | $67,774 | -$7,401 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $58,507 | $56,542 | +$1,965 |
| Atlanta, GA | $58,416 | $57,995 | +$421 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $56,933 | $66,286 | -$9,353 |
| Nashville, TN | $56,573 | $53,348 | +$3,225 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $56,188 | $60,368 | -$4,180 |
| New Orleans, LA | $55,843 | $51,635 | +$4,208 |
| Detroit, MI | $55,569 | $64,916 | -$9,347 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $55,247 | $60,483 | -$5,236 |
| Kansas City, MO | $54,335 | $55,496 | -$1,161 |
| Dallas, TX | $53,970 | $59,362 | -$5,392 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $53,610 | $57,473 | -$3,863 |
| St. Louis, MO | $52,947 | $61,615 | -$8,668 |
| Columbus, OH | $52,810 | $59,476 | -$6,666 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $52,367 | $55,837 | -$3,470 |
| Raleigh, NC | $51,277 | $52,177 | -$900 |
| Miami, FL | $50,711 | $53,124 | -$2,413 |
| Charlotte, NC | $49,453 | $59,148 | -$9,695 |
| Tampa, FL | $48,707 | $53,383 | -$4,676 |
| San Antonio, TX | $47,316 | $54,389 | -$7,073 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Diesel Mechanics or Ironworkers make more money?
Ironworkers earn more on average, with a national median salary of $61,718 compared to $58,284 — a difference of $3,434 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Diesel Mechanic or Ironworker?
Ironworker has stronger 5-year wage growth at 9% vs 9%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Diesel Mechanic requires 3 years of apprenticeship, while Ironworker requires 4 years.
Diesel Mechanic salary by city →
Ironworker salary by city →
All trades ranked by pay →
Fastest growing trades →