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Diesel mechanic training in Seattle, Washington

13 diesel mechanic programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

7 schools offer these diesel mechanic programs with classes in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area, and every one is approved for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Diesel mechanics inspect and repair buses and trucks and maintain diesel engines of every kind. Community colleges and technical schools offer certificates and degrees in diesel repair, employers may require or prefer certification, and some jobs need a commercial driver's license to test-drive trucks and buses.1 In Seattle, 3 of the 13 programs take students without a high school diploma, and 4 are taught partly or fully online.

See the 13 programs

All 31 diesel mechanic programs in Washington, including online programs

How much does diesel mechanic training cost in Seattle?

$5,928 to $9,895 is what most diesel mechanic programs in Seattle cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 6 programs with a price. All of them: $4,496 to $11,700

In the typical program

Finished the program
70%
Working 6 months later
59%
Earned a year, estimated
about $39,400
Length
65 to 200 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Seattle may also offer diesel mechanic training. How these figures are made

Is there free diesel mechanic training in Seattle?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 13 diesel mechanic programs in Seattle approved for WIOA funding

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Kind of program
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13 programs

  • Diesel technician certificate or diplomaIn personPrerequisite courses

    Diesel Service Technician

    Bates Technical College

    Tacoma

    Prerequisite courses

    Bates Technical College, Tacoma · Diesel technician certificate or diploma · In person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimated$39,400
    Price if you pay yourself$4,496
    Program website, Diesel Service Technician at Bates Technical College
    More details about Diesel Service Technician at Bates Technical College
    Finished
    70%
    Working at 6 months
    59%
    Earned in a quarter
    $9,851
    Length
    28 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    49
    a year, estimated
    $39,400
    price
    $4,496

  • Diesel technology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Diesel & Heavy Equipment Technician

    Bates Technical College

    Tacoma

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Bates Technical College, Tacoma · Diesel technology (associate degree) · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$39,400
    Price if you pay yourself$5,865
    Program website, Diesel & Heavy Equipment Technician at Bates Technical College
    More details about Diesel & Heavy Equipment Technician at Bates Technical College
    Finished
    70%
    Working at 6 months
    59%
    Earned in a quarter
    $9,851
    Length
    65 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,341
    Students counted
    49
    a year, estimated
    $39,400
    price
    $5,865

  • Short course or single classIn personNo diploma needed

    Diesel Engines

    Bates Technical College

    Tacoma

    No diploma needed

    Bates Technical College, Tacoma · Short course or single class · In person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$39,400
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    Program website, Diesel Engines at Bates Technical College
    More details about Diesel Engines at Bates Technical College
    Finished
    70%
    Working at 6 months
    59%
    Earned in a quarter
    $9,851
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    49
    a year, estimated
    $39,400
    price
    Not reported

  • Short course or single classIn personNo diploma needed

    Heavy Duty Truck Drive Trains

    Bates Technical College

    Tacoma

    No diploma needed

    Bates Technical College, Tacoma · Short course or single class · In person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$39,400
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    Program website, Heavy Duty Truck Drive Trains at Bates Technical College
    More details about Heavy Duty Truck Drive Trains at Bates Technical College
    Finished
    70%
    Working at 6 months
    59%
    Earned in a quarter
    $9,851
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    49
    a year, estimated
    $39,400
    price
    Not reported

  • Short course or single classIn personNo diploma needed

    Truck and Heavy Equipment Electrical Systems

    Bates Technical College

    Tacoma

    No diploma needed

    Bates Technical College, Tacoma · Short course or single class · In person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$39,400
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    Program website, Truck and Heavy Equipment Electrical Systems at Bates Technical College
    More details about Truck and Heavy Equipment Electrical Systems at Bates Technical College
    Finished
    70%
    Working at 6 months
    59%
    Earned in a quarter
    $9,851
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    49
    a year, estimated
    $39,400
    price
    Not reported

  • Diesel mechanic apprenticeshipHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Coach Heavy Duty Mechanic

    Pierce Transit/ATU Local #758 Apprenticeship Committee

    Lakewood

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Pierce Transit/ATU Local #758 Apprenticeship Committee, Lakewood · Diesel mechanic apprenticeship · Hybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$88,400
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    Program website, Coach Heavy Duty Mechanic at Pierce Transit/ATU Local #758 Apprenticeship Committee
    More details about Coach Heavy Duty Mechanic at Pierce Transit/ATU Local #758 Apprenticeship Committee
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    $22,100
    Length
    200 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    14
    a year, estimated
    $88,400
    price
    Not reported

  • Heavy equipment mechanicIn personPrerequisite courses

    Diesel & Heavy Equipment Tech

    South Seattle College

    Seattle

    Prerequisite courses

    South Seattle College, Seattle · Heavy equipment mechanic · In person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$6,117
    Program website, Diesel & Heavy Equipment Tech at South Seattle College
    More details about Diesel & Heavy Equipment Tech at South Seattle College
    Finished
    82%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    65 weeks, 13 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    13
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $6,117

  • Diesel technology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Diesel and Heavy Equipment Tech

    South Seattle College

    Seattle

    High school diploma or equivalent

    South Seattle College, Seattle · Diesel technology (associate degree) · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$6,588
    Program website, Diesel and Heavy Equipment Tech at South Seattle College
    More details about Diesel and Heavy Equipment Tech at South Seattle College
    Finished
    82%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    70 weeks, 19 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    13
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $6,588

  • Diesel mechanic apprenticeshipHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Trailer, Container, and Van Repair Mechanic

    Northwest Machinists Apprenticeship Committee

    Seattle

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Northwest Machinists Apprenticeship Committee, Seattle · Diesel mechanic apprenticeship · Hybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    Program website, Trailer, Container, and Van Repair Mechanic at Northwest Machinists Apprenticeship Committee
    More details about Trailer, Container, and Van Repair Mechanic at Northwest Machinists Apprenticeship Committee
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    100%
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    200 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    12
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    Not reported

  • Diesel technology (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Diesel & Heavy Equipment Technician

    Lake Washington Institute of Technology

    Kirkland

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Lake Washington Institute of Technology, Kirkland · Diesel technology (associate degree) · Hybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$48,600
    Price if you pay yourself$10,997
    Program website, Diesel & Heavy Equipment Technician at Lake Washington Institute of Technology
    More details about Diesel & Heavy Equipment Technician at Lake Washington Institute of Technology
    Finished
    90%
    Working at 6 months
    100%
    Earned in a quarter
    $12,144
    Length
    60 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    11
    a year, estimated
    $48,600
    price
    $10,997

  • Diesel mechanic apprenticeshipHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic

    Northwest Machinists Apprenticeship Committee

    Seattle

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Northwest Machinists Apprenticeship Committee, Seattle · Diesel mechanic apprenticeship · Hybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$11,700
    Program website, Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic at Northwest Machinists Apprenticeship Committee
    More details about Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic at Northwest Machinists Apprenticeship Committee
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    200 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $11,700

  • Diesel mechanic apprenticeshipIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Coach Heavy Diesel Mechanic

    Community Transit/I.A.M. District 160 Apprenticeship Committee

    Everett

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Community Transit/I.A.M. District 160 Apprenticeship Committee, Everett · Diesel mechanic apprenticeship · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    More details about Coach Heavy Diesel Mechanic at Community Transit/I.A.M. District 160 Apprenticeship Committee
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    200 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    Not reported

  • Diesel mechanic apprenticeshipIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Heavy Duty Bus Mechanic

    King County Metro Transit/ATU 587 Apprenticeship Committee

    Tukwila

    High school diploma or equivalent

    King County Metro Transit/ATU 587 Apprenticeship Committee, Tukwila · Diesel mechanic apprenticeship · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    More details about Heavy Duty Bus Mechanic at King County Metro Transit/ATU 587 Apprenticeship Committee
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    200 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    Not reported

How to pay for diesel mechanic training in Seattle

WIOA funding can pay for diesel mechanic training in Seattle

Every program on this page is approved for WIOA funding: public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. It can pay for training for eligible adults, people who lost their job and young people.2People on public assistance, with a low income or lacking basic skills come first, and veterans have priority.3Your state or local area may limit how much WIOA pays and for how long. If a program costs more, a Pell Grant, a scholarship or severance pay can cover the rest.4

Ask at an American Job Center

Eligibility rules apply, and services vary from state to state. Your local American Job Center can tell you whether you qualify. The Department of Labor's page links to the center finder, or call 1-877-US-2JOBS (1-877-872-5627).5

Financial aid and grants for diesel mechanic training

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.67

GI Bill for diesel mechanic training

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.8

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Does WIOA pay for job training? Who qualifies and how to apply

Where the Seattle diesel mechanic program numbers come from

Which Seattle diesel mechanic programs are on this list?

These are the diesel mechanic programs with classes in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area that are approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).9 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Online programs are left out here; they are on the Washington page. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what the area offers.

How Seattle diesel mechanic program prices are reported

The price is tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported it. "Trained with WIOA funding" on a program counts the people whose training there WIOA paid toward through a training account in program year 2024; the file never gives counts under 3, so a program without the line may still take WIOA students. It does not say how much of the price WIOA covered. Prices under $100 are treated as not reported, because the file holds many blanks entered as $0. Check the current price with the school.

What the graduate results of these programs measure

The figures at the top of this page are the middle program among those that report results: half did better, half did worse. Results describe students who left each program in recent years: the share who finished, the share working in the second quarter after leaving, and the middle earnings of those working in that quarter. States report earnings for that one quarter because they take them from the wage reports employers file every three months. The yearly figure here is that quarter times four, rounded to the nearest $100: an estimate, and an early one, since it is measured about half a year after training. The quarter as reported is under "More details" on each program. Results are withheld for small programs, and they describe past students, so they are no guarantee.

Why do some diesel mechanic programs say "Not reported"?

Where a school or the state left a field empty, or the Department of Labor withheld it, the page says "Not reported". Nothing here is estimated to fill a gap.

Why the kind of school is left off each program

The file also records whether a school is public, private or nonprofit, but those entries are wrong too often to print next to a school's name, so this page leaves them out.

Other training in Seattle

Sources for the facts about diesel mechanic training in Seattle

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Diesel Service Technicians and Mechanics
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220 and 680.310: career services before training, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List