Is It Better To Become A Diesel Mechanic Or Trucker These Days?

Who has better pay, working conditions, benefits, etc.?

You have been a member of this site for more than 7 years.

Everyone here drives, is interested in possibly driving, or is in training.

Have you researched this latest question of yours? Since you can't get off the fence and make a decision regarding driving or not, can we expect the same results on this, too?

In my opinion, having started out in the early 80's as a diesel tech, then into automotive, trucking the last 3 years almost. Trucking by far outweighs both on both income and less to deal with working in a shop. You're independent as a solo driver, captain of your ship. Less internal issues to deal with, like other "prima donna" techs and or supervisors...Besides you can earn far more driving a truck after some experience, and safe driving under your belt. Wished I had gotten into trucking years ago, actually. Besides your limited on income as a tech, you're only going to earn what they pay. Where as in trucking, your performance gains you higher income to a certain extent. Doubt as a tech you EVER will have the chance to make up to and over $80-100k per year, within say 2 years or so, depending on performance, as trucking is based on that......

Not everyone can be mechanically inclined, and cut it as a tech either, be it cars or trucks. Same as not everyone is capable of being a truck driver either.....Over my 40 years turning wrenches on anything, I never saw over $40k a year at best, yet made that my 1st year as company (team) driver. Job I just left to retire, 4 months there, taking home from $6-7k a month solo, so I'd been on track IF weekly pay stayed up there to hit maybe $80k+ in a year (grossed $19,500, in the 1st 3 months of this year)

If you’re good get into it. There has been a sharp decline in quality of mechanics at least in Alaska.