Diesel by Distance is among the most flexible and innovative diesel technology programs available within the Alabama Community College System, the state, and the country. Diesel by Distance offers students: Flexibility, Employability, Sustainability, Accessibility, and more! 

Increasingly, technicians must be versatile in order to adapt to customers’ needs and new technologies. It is common for technicians to handle all kinds of repairs, from working on a vehicle’s electrical system one day to doing major engine repairs the next. In modern shops, diesel service technicians use hand-held or laptop computers to diagnose problems and adjust engine functions. Because of continual advances in automotive technology, technicians must regularly learn new techniques to repair vehicles.

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Employment prospects for diesel service technicians, mechanics, and heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians are expected to remain stable through 2034, with growth ranging from slower than average (2 percent for diesel technicians) to faster than average (6 percent for heavy vehicle and mobile equipment technicians).

Despite modest overall growth, the fields are projected to generate a combined tens of thousands of job openings each year, largely due to workers retiring or transferring to other occupations rather than from new job creation. These careers continue to attract interest because of relatively high wages and the technical challenge of skilled repair work, and job opportunities should be especially strong for individuals who complete formal diesel mechanics training at community colleges or technical schools.

The median annual wage for diesel service technicians and mechanics was $60,640 in May 2024. The median annual wage for heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians was $62,740 in May 2024. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics)