What do HVAC, auto and diesel technicians earn, and how do you start?

These are the jobs of keeping things running: heating and cooling, engines, power lines, aircraft, machinery. Many start with a certificate or a high school diploma. HVAC technicians earn a median $61,010 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025] a year. Bus and truck mechanics, including diesel engine specialists, earn $61,770 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]. Automotive service technicians earn $50,620 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025].

After the first step comes the long one: BLS lists more than a year of on-the-job training for 11 [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), counted by HighPathways, United States, retrieved 2026-09-28] of the 22 jobs here.

Pay is the median annual wage for the whole United States. Figures last pulled October 2, 2026. Each number is followed, in brackets, by its publisher and date.

A certificate first, or the job first

The same field has two different doors. For automotive service technicians, BLS describes the typical way in as: Postsecondary certificate · No work experience · Less than 1 month on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]. For bus and truck mechanics it is: High school diploma or equivalent · No work experience · More than 1 year on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28].

The first starts at a school and the second starts at an employer. The data records what BLS lists as typical. It cannot tell you which route is faster or cheaper for you.

Where the pay is higher

Pay climbs in the jobs that keep power and aircraft working. Electrical power-line installers earn $95,320 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025] a year, with a high school diploma and more than a year of on-the-job training. Aircraft mechanics earn $79,870 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025] and avionics technicians $82,280 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]; BLS lists a postsecondary certificate for both. The highest pay in the group, $103,020 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025], is for electrical and electronics repairers at powerhouses, substations and relays, a job with 1,800 [BLS Employment Projections, United States, 2025–2035] openings a year.

Growth is uneven

Industrial machinery mechanics are projected to grow +17.8% [BLS Employment Projections, United States, 2025–2035] over ten years, with 44,400 [BLS Employment Projections, United States, 2025–2035] openings a year. Wind turbine service technicians are projected to grow +29.5% [BLS Employment Projections, United States, 2025–2035], from a small base: 1,500 [BLS Employment Projections, United States, 2025–2035] openings a year. Others are projected to shrink. Telecommunications line installers are at −3.4% [BLS Employment Projections, United States, 2025–2035], and computer, ATM and office machine repairers at −3% [BLS Employment Projections, United States, 2025–2035]. A job that is shrinking can still have openings, because people leave it, but the direction is worth knowing before you train for it.

Repair and maintenance jobs, side by side

Median pay is the national median annual wage: half the people in the job earn more, half less. Openings a year is a BLS projection that counts people leaving the job as well as new jobs, so it measures turnover, not positions open today. Where we hold no verified figure it says Provisional, never an estimate.

HVAC Technician
Service heating and cooling systems, diagnose faults, and keep buildings comfortable year-round.
Median pay
$61,010 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]
Openings a year
40,600 [BLS Employment Projections, United States, 2025–2035]
Projected change in jobs, ten years
+10.9% [BLS Employment Projections, United States, 2025–2035]
Typical way in, as BLS lists it
Postsecondary certificate · No work experience · More than 1 year on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]
Automotive Service Technician
Diagnose and repair cars and light trucks, from routine maintenance to complex engine work.
Median pay
$50,620 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]
Openings a year
66,200 [BLS Employment Projections, United States, 2025–2035]
Projected change in jobs, ten years
+5% [BLS Employment Projections, United States, 2025–2035]
Typical way in, as BLS lists it
Postsecondary certificate · No work experience · Less than 1 month on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]
Bus and Truck Mechanics / Diesel Engine Specialists
You troubleshoot heavy diesel engines and transmissions, rebuild components, run diagnostics on trucks and buses, and keep fleet vehicles rolling safely.
Median pay
$61,770 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]
Openings a year
24,400 [BLS Employment Projections, United States, 2025–2035]
Projected change in jobs, ten years
+3.6% [BLS Employment Projections, United States, 2025–2035]
Typical way in, as BLS lists it
High school diploma or equivalent · No work experience · More than 1 year on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
Climb poles and ride bucket trucks to string, splice, and repair high-voltage power lines, restoring the grid after storms and outages.
Median pay
$95,320 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]
Openings a year
10,900 [BLS Employment Projections, United States, 2025–2035]
Projected change in jobs, ten years
+10.3% [BLS Employment Projections, United States, 2025–2035]
Typical way in, as BLS lists it
High school diploma or equivalent · No work experience · More than 1 year on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
You diagnose failing production equipment, read schematics, replace bearings, motors, and belts, and keep the factory's machines running with minimal downtime.
Median pay
$64,520 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]
Openings a year
44,400 [BLS Employment Projections, United States, 2025–2035]
Projected change in jobs, ten years
+17.8% [BLS Employment Projections, United States, 2025–2035]
Typical way in, as BLS lists it
High school diploma or equivalent · No work experience · More than 1 year on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
You inspect airframes and engines, follow FAA manuals, replace components, and sign off repairs so aircraft stay airworthy for the next flight.
Median pay
$79,870 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]
Openings a year
11,400 [BLS Employment Projections, United States, 2025–2035]
Projected change in jobs, ten years
+5.4% [BLS Employment Projections, United States, 2025–2035]
Typical way in, as BLS lists it
Postsecondary certificate · No work experience · No on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]

Verification required

Licences and credentials

Some of these jobs require a licence or a certification, for example work on aircraft, or on refrigerants and air conditioning, and the rules vary by state and by employer. We do not list them, and nothing on this page certifies that a program or a credential qualifies you. Verify the requirements with the agency or board that sets them before you pay for training.

CareerOneStop's License Finder lists licensing requirements by state.

What this page cannot tell you

These 22 jobs are one federal group, installation, maintenance and repair. Electricians, plumbers and the other building trades are on the construction trades page.

What it does not include: what training or tools cost, which certifications employers pay for, or pay in your state or city.

All 22 repair and maintenance jobs we cover

Ordered by median annual pay, highest first. Pay is national.
Job	Median pay	Typical way in, as BLS lists it
Electrical & Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse/Substation/Relay	$103,020 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]	Postsecondary certificate · Less than 5 years work experience · 1 to 12 months on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	$95,320 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]	High school diploma or equivalent · No work experience · More than 1 year on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]
Avionics Technicians	$82,280 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]	Postsecondary certificate · No work experience · No on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians	$79,870 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]	Postsecondary certificate · No work experience · No on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers	$74,330 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]	High school diploma or equivalent · No work experience · More than 1 year on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]
Electrical/Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment	$74,090 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]	Postsecondary certificate · No work experience · More than 1 year on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]
Millwrights	$65,700 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]	High school diploma or equivalent · No work experience · Apprenticeship [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics (except Engines)	$65,510 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]	High school diploma or equivalent · No work experience · More than 1 year on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]
Industrial Machinery Mechanics	$64,520 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]	High school diploma or equivalent · No work experience · More than 1 year on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]
Wind Turbine Service Technicians	$64,120 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]	Postsecondary certificate · No work experience · More than 1 year on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]
Telecommunications Equipment Installers/Repairers (Except Line)	$63,890 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]	Postsecondary certificate · No work experience · 1 to 12 months on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers/Repairers	$63,520 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]	Associate's degree · No work experience · 1 to 12 months on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]
Bus and Truck Mechanics / Diesel Engine Specialists	$61,770 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]	High school diploma or equivalent · No work experience · More than 1 year on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]
HVAC Technician	$61,010 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]	Postsecondary certificate · No work experience · More than 1 year on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers	$60,070 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]	High school diploma or equivalent · No work experience · 1 to 12 months on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians	$57,550 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]	High school diploma or equivalent · No work experience · More than 1 year on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians	$56,550 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]	High school diploma or equivalent · No work experience · More than 1 year on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]
Automotive Body and Related Repairers	$54,890 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]	High school diploma or equivalent · No work experience · More than 1 year on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]
Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers	$52,600 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]	Postsecondary certificate · No work experience · Less than 1 month on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]
Automotive Service Technician	$50,620 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]	Postsecondary certificate · No work experience · Less than 1 month on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]
Motorcycle Mechanics	$48,580 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]	Postsecondary certificate · No work experience · Less than 1 month on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]
Computer, ATM, and Office Machine Repairers	$47,810 [CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), United States, 2025]	Some college, no degree · No work experience · Less than 1 month on-the-job training [CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28]

Where these numbers come from

Every figure on this page was published by someone other than us and is shown as published. Figures last pulled October 2, 2026. A figure we cannot source is marked Provisional, and one the publisher does not measure says so. Both appear on the page itself, not behind a tap.

Median pay CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS), 2025. About this source
Projected change in jobs over ten years BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035. About this source
Openings a year BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035. About this source
Typical way in CareerOneStop (BLS Employment Projections), retrieved 2026-09-28. About this source

The provisional flag and every publisher's terms are explained on Where our numbers come from.

Found something wrong? Email hello@highpathways.com and name the page and the figure. It goes to a person at HighPathways.

Wages, time-to-entry, education levels, state licensing and local training programs sourced via CareerOneStop (BLS OEWS; BLS Employment Projections; License Finder; Local Training Finder: NCES IPEDS and US DOL ETP/WIOA), sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration and operated by the Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development. Shown as published.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. HighPathways has modified some of this information: we shorten O*NET’s official occupation titles so they read the way people say them; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Pay and cost figures are sourced separately and listed on the Data sources page.

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