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Diesel Instructor Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

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Diesel Instructor information

See Portland, OR salary details

$11.7K

$61K

$84.6K

How much do diesel instructor jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for diesel instructor in Portland, OR is $60,967.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,600.00 and $71,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Are the Responsibilities of a Diesel Instructor?

A diesel instructor is involved in the training of students who want to learn the diesel mechanic trade. In this career, your duties may include offering hands-on instruction in an engine lab or auto shop or teaching the principles of diesel engine repair and maintenance in a classroom setting. In addition to working to teach students and apprentices, your responsibilities may include designing a curriculum for your course. During this process, you need to make sure your curriculum meets professional requirements for training or certification.

What is the difference between Diesel Instructor vs Heavy Equipment Instructor?

AspectDiesel InstructorHeavy Equipment Instructor
CertificationsDiesel mechanic certifications, instructor licensesHeavy equipment operation licenses, instructor certifications
Work EnvironmentClassrooms, workshops, diesel repair shopsConstruction sites, training centers, outdoor environments
Industry UsageAutomotive, transportation, diesel engine repairConstruction, mining, heavy machinery operation

Diesel Instructors primarily focus on teaching diesel engine repair and maintenance, often working in automotive or repair shop settings. Heavy Equipment Instructors specialize in training students to operate large machinery like bulldozers and cranes, typically in construction or industrial environments. While both roles require technical certifications and involve hands-on training, their work environments and industry applications differ significantly.

What are Diesel Instructors?

Diesel Instructors are professionals who teach students or trainees about diesel engines, their components, maintenance, and repair techniques. They typically work in technical schools, community colleges, or specialized training centers, delivering both classroom instruction and hands-on training. Diesel Instructors are usually experienced diesel mechanics or technicians who have transitioned into teaching roles. Their responsibilities include developing lesson plans, demonstrating repair procedures, and preparing students for certification exams. They play a crucial role in equipping the next generation of diesel technicians with the skills needed in the automotive and heavy equipment industries.

What are some common challenges Diesel Instructors face when teaching students new technologies in diesel engine systems?

Diesel Instructors often encounter the challenge of keeping up with rapidly evolving diesel engine technologies and emissions standards. Teaching students to work with both traditional mechanical systems and newer computer-controlled engines requires continuous learning and curriculum updates. Additionally, instructors must tailor their teaching methods to accommodate varying levels of student experience and learning styles, ensuring that both hands-on and theoretical concepts are effectively communicated. Collaborating with industry partners and staying connected to current trends can help instructors offer students the most relevant and up-to-date training.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Diesel Instructor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Diesel Instructor, you need in-depth knowledge of diesel engine systems, repair techniques, and industry safety standards, usually backed by relevant certifications and experience in diesel technology. Familiarity with diagnostic tools, shop equipment, and training platforms such as learning management systems is typically required. Strong communication, patience, and mentorship abilities are vital soft skills for effectively teaching and motivating students. These skills ensure instructors can deliver high-quality education, foster student engagement, and prepare future diesel technicians for real-world challenges.

Can you make 6 figures as a diesel technician?

Experienced diesel technicians with specialized skills, certifications, and years of service can potentially earn six-figure incomes, especially in high-demand areas or with overtime and management roles. Entry-level positions typically pay less, and reaching a six-figure salary often requires advanced expertise and experience in the field.

How much do diesel instructors make?

Diesel instructors typically earn between $40,000 and $70,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and certifications. Salaries may also vary based on whether they work for technical schools, training centers, or private companies, and often include benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.

How to become a diesel mechanic instructor?

To become a diesel mechanic instructor, you typically need several years of experience as a diesel mechanic, along with relevant certifications such as ASE certifications. Many employers also require a teaching credential or completion of an instructor training program, and strong communication skills are essential for effective teaching in a technical environment.

What is the highest paying diesel technician job?

The highest paying diesel technician jobs are often in supervisory or specialized roles such as diesel shop managers, fleet maintenance directors, or technicians with advanced certifications in electronics or engine diagnostics. These positions typically require extensive experience, advanced skills, and sometimes additional certifications, leading to higher salaries within the industry.
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What job categories do people searching Diesel Instructor jobs in Portland, OR look for? The top searched job categories for Diesel Instructor jobs in Portland, OR are:
Diesel Instructor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Diesel Instructor job openings in Portland, OR as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,967 per year, or $29.3 per hour.

Fleet Support and Maintenance for Sailing School and club

Island Sailing School & Club

Portland, OR

$22 - $26/hr

Full-time

Posted 18 hours ago

Job description

Fleet Support and Maintenance for Sailing School and club


Fleet Readiness, Maintenance, and Support for a Sailing Club Fleet


Welcome and thank you for your interest in Island Sailing!


This posting is for our Dock Crew - the team responsible for the daily readiness, care, and mechanical health of our fleet. We're looking for someone who already knows their way around a sailboat: someone who sails, who's comfortable on the water, and who takes pride in keeping a boat running right.


This is also a member-facing role. You'll be one of the first people our members and guests see when they walk onto the docks or into the front office, and how you greet and treat people matters as much as the work itself. We're looking for someone who genuinely likes people and wants to be of service to them - not someone who'd rather avoid the interaction.

This is not a role for learning to sail. It's a role for someone who already can - and wants to put that experience, and a genuine love of working with people, to work.


About Us

Our Mission: Promoting personal freedom through positive self empowerment for our community by providing easy affordable access to the world of sailing.


At Island Sailing our crew culture is of prime importance to us. Though we are one of the largest sailing operations in the Northwest, we are indeed a small, dynamic, and growing crew. Developing, fostering, and maintaining a positive and supportive environment for everyone involved is a core focus for us. Our values matter and we are looking for great people who are aligned so be sure to check out what we are committed to at Island Sailing!


How This Works

You'll receive a confirmation email from us letting you know we've received your application. We will review it right away and let you know the next steps quickly.


Things We Ask of You

1. Tell us about your sailing background - how long you've sailed, what kinds of boats, and what you're genuinely comfortable handling on the water.

2. Tell us about any experience you have with marine systems - diesel engines, electrical, plumbing, or rigging - even if it wasn't in a professional setting. This is the single biggest factor in where you'll start on our pay scale.

3. Tell us about your experience working with the public. This role puts you in front of members and guests all day, every day - we want to know you enjoy that part of the job, not just tolerate it.


What You'll Do

Your responsibilities will center on the daily care, readiness, and mechanical health of our fleet, along with hands-on, face-to-face support for our members and instructors. This position carries real ownership over the condition of the boats - not just their cleanliness - and real responsibility for how members experience their time at the club.

  • Greet members and guests warmly as they arrive at the docks or the front office - every interaction is part of the job, not an interruption to it.
  • Open the fleet each morning: review the day's boat reservations, prioritize check-ins (class boats first), and get boats ready for members and instructors.
  • Monitor and manage the boat reservation system throughout the day, coordinating check-ins, check-outs, and boat availability with Member Services.
  • Perform routine diesel engine checks - oil, coolant, belts, fuel filters - and flag or address issues before they become haul-out problems.
  • Handle basic electrical and plumbing troubleshooting on the fleet, and inspect and adjust standing and running rigging as needed.
  • Keep the fleet clean below and above decks - and well-maintained: cockpit and deck cleaning, waterline and bottom scrubbing, pressure washing, and detailing on a regular rotation.
  • Assist members with departures and landings, and help them refine their stowage and boat-handling technique.
  • Care for the docks and facility daily, and button up the fleet and facility properly at close.
  • Track engine hours and maintenance needs, and help build out our preventive maintenance tracking as the fleet grows.


What You'll Need to Get the Job Done

To Be Considered

  • You already sail - comfortably and confidently - on small to mid-range keelboats. You're not looking to learn; you're looking to use what you know.
  • You genuinely enjoy working with the public and take the initiative to greet and engage members and guests. This is a service-oriented, member-facing role - not a behind-the-scenes-only maintenance job.
  • Reliable and punctual. Able to work weekends, arrive ready to work by 0900, and stay through close at 1800, including the walk to the far end of the fleet.
  • Task and goal oriented, able to work unsupervised, and professional while working in a busy, dynamic social environment.
  • Physically able to lift up to 60 lbs, climb on and off boats, and work outdoors in varying conditions.
  • Strong attention to detail, well organized, and a problem-solver who takes ownership rather than waiting to be told.
  • You want to be part of a crew of "learn it alls" not - "know it alls"...


What Moves You to the Front of the Line

  • Hands-on experience with marine diesel engines - maintenance, troubleshooting, or repair.
  • Experience with boat systems: electrical, plumbing, or standing and running rigging.
  • ASA certification, a USCG license, or equivalent formal sailing credentials.
  • Prior experience working in a marina, boatyard, or fleet operation.

Compensation

Pay for this position is commensurate with experience. Because we're looking for someone who already sails and understands boat systems, we're prepared to pay accordingly for the right background - particularly hands-on experience with marine diesel engines, electrical, plumbing, and rigging.

Candidates who bring proven systems experience will start at the top of our range. Candidates with strong sailing experience but limited systems background will start lower on the scale, with room to grow into it as that experience develops.

Starting range: $[XX.XX]-$[XX.XX]/hour, depending on experience.


What You'll Love About Us

  • We believe that culture matters! We focus on and work diligently to ensure a continuing process of creating, fostering, improving, and maintaining the best possible company culture - and what you bring to the table will be part of helping us make that happen!
  • At Island Sailing we promote and share a passion for community, sailing, adventure, travel, and simply just being on the water. We are always looking for individuals who value self-responsibility, a healthy work-life balance, and share the desire to excel at what they do.
  • We always seek to set people up for success. You will be immersed in the world of sailing, and based upon your contribution to Island Sailing you can create tremendous future opportunities for yourself.


We Are An Equal Opportunity Employer

Because our crewmembers are trusted to handle sensitive information, we require that all candidates who receive and accept employment offers complete a background check as part of the hiring process.

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