Plumber vs Diesel Mechanic
Which trade pays more? Side-by-side salary comparison using 2025 BLS data.
Higher Pay
Plumber
Plumbing · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$64,109
Salary Range$54,720 – $86,700
5yr Growth+14%
Trade Pay ScoreB (71/100)
Total Employment183,601
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 | Plumber | Diesel Mechanic | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $86,700 | $73,710 | +$12,990 |
| Seattle, WA | $79,599 | $67,005 | +$12,594 |
| New York, NY | $76,532 | $72,771 | +$3,761 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $74,555 | $68,978 | +$5,577 |
| Boston, MA | $74,304 | $65,267 | +$9,037 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $73,748 | $66,424 | +$7,324 |
| Portland, OR | $73,251 | $60,373 | +$12,878 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $66,391 | $61,255 | +$5,136 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $66,029 | $58,507 | +$7,522 |
| Chicago, IL | $65,606 | $67,940 | -$2,334 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $63,229 | $56,933 | +$6,296 |
| Kansas City, MO | $62,955 | $54,335 | +$8,620 |
| Atlanta, GA | $62,710 | $58,416 | +$4,294 |
| Denver, CO | $62,081 | $62,846 | -$765 |
| Miami, FL | $62,048 | $50,711 | +$11,337 |
| St. Louis, MO | $61,956 | $52,947 | +$9,009 |
| Detroit, MI | $61,084 | $55,569 | +$5,515 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $60,533 | $52,367 | +$8,166 |
| Houston, TX | $60,498 | $61,184 | -$686 |
| Tampa, FL | $60,056 | $48,707 | +$11,349 |
| Columbus, OH | $59,380 | $52,810 | +$6,570 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $59,307 | $56,188 | +$3,119 |
| Dallas, TX | $59,192 | $53,970 | +$5,222 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $59,172 | $55,247 | +$3,925 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $56,077 | $53,610 | +$2,467 |
| Raleigh, NC | $56,029 | $51,277 | +$4,752 |
| Nashville, TN | $55,467 | $56,573 | -$1,106 |
| San Antonio, TX | $55,107 | $47,316 | +$7,791 |
| New Orleans, LA | $54,966 | $55,843 | -$877 |
| Charlotte, NC | $54,720 | $49,453 | +$5,267 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Plumbers or Diesel Mechanics make more money?
Plumbers earn more on average, with a national median salary of $64,109 compared to $58,284 — a difference of $5,825 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Plumber or Diesel Mechanic?
Plumber has stronger 5-year wage growth at 14% vs 9%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Plumber requires 4 years of apprenticeship, while Diesel Mechanic requires 3 years.
Plumber salary by city →
Diesel Mechanic salary by city →
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