Do diesel companies hire people with felonies?

Why diesel companies are hiring people with records

The trucking and logistics industry is booming. E-commerce boom means more delivery trucks. Infrastructure spending means more construction equipment. All of it runs on diesel. All of it breaks down. All of it needs trained mechanics.

1. The industry desperately needs you

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects over 28,000 diesel technician job openings every year through 2032. Nearly every diesel repair facility in the country is struggling to find qualified technicians. When shops have bays sitting empty because they can't find mechanics, hiring managers start looking at candidates they might have passed over five years ago.

Many current diesel technicians are aging and retiring, and fewer new trainees are entering the workforce, leading to significant gaps. A report from the American Transportation Research Institute highlights that 65.5% of shops are understaffed in 2025, with nearly 19.3% of positions unfilled. Training new technicians is expensive and time-consuming, complicating efforts to fill vacancies.

In Massachusetts, the labor shortage is even more acute. Worcester County—a major hub for manufacturing, logistics, and construction—has dozens of diesel shops, trucking fleets, and equipment dealers competing for the same small pool of trained technicians.

This shortage works in your favor if you have a record. Employers care more about whether you can diagnose a bad injector or rebuild a transmission than what happened in your past—as long as you can prove you're reliable and trained.

2. No state license required

Unlike trades that require state licensing (where your criminal record gets scrutinized by a licensing board), diesel techs don't need state licenses. The industry uses ASE certifications to verify skills, and a valid driver’s license. ASE doesn't care about your criminal history.

You take tests that prove you know diesel engines, brakes, electrical systems, etc. Pass the tests, get certified. No background check. No licensing board review.

This removes a major barrier that people with records face in other skilled trades.

3. Massachusetts pays diesel techs well

The national median salary for diesel technicians is around $57,000. In Massachusetts, it's closer to $76,000 due to higher cost of living and strong demand—especially in Worcester County, which is a major hub for logistics, manufacturing, and construction.

Real salary progression:

• Shop helper: $35,000-$42,000 (entry level, no experience)
• Certified diesel tech: $50,000-$65,000 (with ASE certs, 1-3 years experience)
• Experienced technician: $70,000-$85,000 (multiple certs, 5+ years)
• Master tech/shop foreman: $90,000+ (leadership or specialized skills)

Many shops pay "flat rate"—you get paid per job completed, not hourly. Faster, more skilled techs make significantly more money.

4. You can start earning quickly

Unlike careers that require years of school, diesel mechanics offers fast entry points:

• Shop helper roles (no experience required—you learn while earning)
• Entry-level tech positions (with basic training or certifications)
• Apprenticeships (get paid while you train)

You can be earning money within months, not years.

5. Job security is real

Trucks and equipment don't maintain themselves. As long as we have construction, agriculture, and trucking (which isn't going anywhere), we need diesel mechanics.

This work can't be outsourced overseas or easily automated. Every local economy needs diesel techs.

Get free diesel technician training in Worcester County

Emerge Career has 30 scholarship spots for diesel technician training in Worcester County, Massachusetts.

If you qualify, we'll train you for free, help you get certified, and connect you directly with diesel shops and trucking companies ready to hire.

Here's how it works:

1. Fill out this quick application (takes 10 minutes): [Application link]
2. Learn the basics online (on your own schedule)
3. Get hands-on training in person
4. We help you land a job

You must live in Worcester County to qualify. Only 30 spots available—apply now.