Diesel technicians, also known as diesel techs or diesel mechanics, perform maintenance and repair work for diesel vehicles and trucks. Wondering if it’s a good job for you? Here are four reasons why pursuing a career as a diesel technician could be the right choice.

If you aren’t excited by the idea of sitting at a computer or in a cubicle all day, you may prefer a job with a little more activity each day. Diesel technicians spend a lot of time on their feet, moving around, and working with their hands to perform their job duties. If you like the idea of getting your hands a little dirty at work, this could be a great job opportunity for you.

If you like taking things apart and putting them back together, you are probably perfectly suited for work as a diesel mechanic. Diesel technicians must have a good understanding of how cars and trucks work in order to keep them running well (and to repair them when they’re not). As someone who enjoys figuring out how things work and tinkering with their mechanics, you could find that becoming a diesel technician is a great choice.

Every vehicle is different—and so are most days in the life of a diesel technician. While there will be plenty of processes and tasks you will have to repeat, every vehicle can bring something a little different than the one before. And what worked for one vehicle may not be the right solution for the next. Plus, diesel techs often find themselves making repairs on the road, at worksites, or away from their regular shop—meaning your day could change rapidly.

While many of these skills and duties are very similar to other positions in the field, diesel technicians typically make a little more money for working in this specialization. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), diesel mechanics earned a median annual salary of about $47,000 in 2018—or a median hourly rate of almost $23.

Ready to find a diesel tech program? The Imagine America Foundation has a robust database of schools where you can find diesel technician programs in your area—so you can begin your journey to a diesel technology career! IAF is proud to work with partner institutions like Universal Technical Institute, who offers training programs in a variety of technical fields—including diesel technology.