Diesel Mechanic vs Sheet Metal Worker
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
Sheet Metal Worker
Metalwork · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$58,967
Salary Range$49,190 – $75,071
5yr Growth+7%
Trade Pay ScoreC (56/100)
Total Employment122,066
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | Diesel Mechanic | Sheet Metal Worker | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $73,710 | $75,071 | -$1,361 |
| New York, NY | $72,771 | $70,408 | +$2,363 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $68,978 | $67,613 | +$1,365 |
| Chicago, IL | $67,940 | $59,766 | +$8,174 |
| Seattle, WA | $67,005 | $74,409 | -$7,404 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $66,424 | $73,244 | -$6,820 |
| Boston, MA | $65,267 | $66,514 | -$1,247 |
| Denver, CO | $62,846 | $58,190 | +$4,656 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $61,255 | $62,763 | -$1,508 |
| Houston, TX | $61,184 | $64,172 | -$2,988 |
| Portland, OR | $60,373 | $60,018 | +$355 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $58,507 | $58,156 | +$351 |
| Atlanta, GA | $58,416 | $57,049 | +$1,367 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $56,933 | $60,802 | -$3,869 |
| Nashville, TN | $56,573 | $51,094 | +$5,479 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $56,188 | $55,229 | +$959 |
| New Orleans, LA | $55,843 | $52,916 | +$2,927 |
| Detroit, MI | $55,569 | $55,260 | +$309 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $55,247 | $59,888 | -$4,641 |
| Kansas City, MO | $54,335 | $57,429 | -$3,094 |
| Dallas, TX | $53,970 | $57,501 | -$3,531 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $53,610 | $53,940 | -$330 |
| St. Louis, MO | $52,947 | $55,958 | -$3,011 |
| Columbus, OH | $52,810 | $50,957 | +$1,853 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $52,367 | $49,878 | +$2,489 |
| Raleigh, NC | $51,277 | $53,885 | -$2,608 |
| Miami, FL | $50,711 | $51,200 | -$489 |
| Charlotte, NC | $49,453 | $49,190 | +$263 |
| Tampa, FL | $48,707 | $52,118 | -$3,411 |
| San Antonio, TX | $47,316 | $54,389 | -$7,073 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Diesel Mechanics or Sheet Metal Workers make more money?
Sheet Metal Workers earn more on average, with a national median salary of $58,967 compared to $58,284 — a difference of $683 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Diesel Mechanic or Sheet Metal Worker?
Diesel Mechanic has stronger 5-year wage growth at 9% vs 7%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Diesel Mechanic requires 3 years of apprenticeship, while Sheet Metal Worker requires 4 years.
Diesel Mechanic salary by city →
Sheet Metal Worker salary by city →
All trades ranked by pay →
Fastest growing trades →