Power Line Installer vs Diesel Mechanic
Which trade pays more? Side-by-side salary comparison using 2025 BLS data.
Higher Pay
Power Line Installer
Electrical · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$87,732
Salary Range$74,545 – $112,855
5yr Growth+16%
Trade Pay ScoreA (86/100)
Total Employment217,003
Cities Tracked30
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
City-by-City Comparison
| City | Power Line Installer | Diesel Mechanic | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $112,855 | $72,771 | +$40,084 |
| San Francisco, CA | $104,999 | $73,710 | +$31,289 |
| Portland, OR | $99,431 | $60,373 | +$39,058 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $99,425 | $66,424 | +$33,001 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $98,777 | $68,978 | +$29,799 |
| Boston, MA | $98,333 | $65,267 | +$33,066 |
| Seattle, WA | $97,004 | $67,005 | +$29,999 |
| Chicago, IL | $94,049 | $67,940 | +$26,109 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $91,683 | $56,188 | +$35,495 |
| Houston, TX | $88,707 | $61,184 | +$27,523 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $88,613 | $61,255 | +$27,358 |
| Dallas, TX | $87,080 | $53,970 | +$33,110 |
| Denver, CO | $86,992 | $62,846 | +$24,146 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $86,876 | $56,933 | +$29,943 |
| Detroit, MI | $85,790 | $55,569 | +$30,221 |
| Columbus, OH | $85,011 | $52,810 | +$32,201 |
| Miami, FL | $84,373 | $50,711 | +$33,662 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $84,221 | $53,610 | +$30,611 |
| St. Louis, MO | $83,941 | $52,947 | +$30,994 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $83,676 | $55,247 | +$28,429 |
| Raleigh, NC | $82,108 | $51,277 | +$30,831 |
| New Orleans, LA | $82,075 | $55,843 | +$26,232 |
| Tampa, FL | $81,266 | $48,707 | +$32,559 |
| Atlanta, GA | $80,461 | $58,416 | +$22,045 |
| Kansas City, MO | $79,542 | $54,335 | +$25,207 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $79,227 | $58,507 | +$20,720 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $78,807 | $52,367 | +$26,440 |
| San Antonio, TX | $76,343 | $47,316 | +$29,027 |
| Nashville, TN | $75,751 | $56,573 | +$19,178 |
| Charlotte, NC | $74,545 | $49,453 | +$25,092 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Power Line Installers or Diesel Mechanics make more money?
Power Line Installers earn more on average, with a national median salary of $87,732 compared to $58,284 — a difference of $29,448 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Power Line Installer or Diesel Mechanic?
Power Line Installer has stronger 5-year wage growth at 16% vs 9%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Power Line Installer requires 4 years of apprenticeship, while Diesel Mechanic requires 3 years.
Power Line Installer salary by city →
Diesel Mechanic salary by city →
All trades ranked by pay →
Fastest growing trades →