Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists: Career Overview
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines. Includes mechanics working primarily with automobile or marine diesel engines.
Featured schools near , edit
What Do Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists Take On?
The core tasks performed by bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists cover:
- Use handtools, such as screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, pressure gauges, or precision instruments, as well as power tools, such as pneumatic wrenches, lathes, welding equipment, or jacks and hoists.
- Inspect brake systems, steering mechanisms, wheel bearings, and other important parts to ensure that they are in proper operating condition.
- Raise trucks, buses, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks or hoists.
- Adjust and reline brakes, align wheels, tighten bolts and screws, and reassemble equipment.
- Attach test instruments to equipment, and read dials and gauges to diagnose malfunctions.
- Perform routine maintenance such as changing oil, checking batteries, and lubricating equipment and machinery.
- Examine and adjust protective guards, loose bolts, and specified safety devices.
- Inspect, test, and listen to defective equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using test instruments such as handheld computers, motor analyzers, chassis charts, or pressure gauges.
What Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists Need to Know
Effective bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists draw on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Key Skills
The abilities most important for this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Core Knowledge
Types of Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists Jobs
Common job titles for this role include:
- Biodiesel Engine Specialist
- Boat Diesel Motor Mechanic
- Boat Engine Installer
- Boat Engine Mechanic
- Boat Mechanic
- Bus Engine Mechanic
- Bus Garage Mechanic
- Bus Mechanic
Job Outlook
The U.S. employs around 181,745 bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists working in the United States today. Demand is forecast to decline by -1.8% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $55,957 |
| Hourly median | $26.90 |
| 10th percentile | $31,675 |
| 25th percentile | $43,816 |
| 75th percentile | $68,097 |
| 90th percentile | $80,238 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists Salary by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $79,010 |
| Washington | $76,940 |
| Alaska | $73,180 |
| Maryland | $71,620 |
| California | $70,650 |
| Connecticut | $70,160 |
| New Jersey | $68,620 |
| Massachusetts | $67,590 |
| New York | $66,840 |
| Colorado | $66,330 |
| New Hampshire | $65,580 |
| District of Columbia | $65,570 |
| Nevada | $65,180 |
| Rhode Island | $64,690 |
| Minnesota | $64,340 |
| North Dakota | $63,430 |
| Utah | $62,970 |
| Illinois | $62,750 |
| Oregon | $62,670 |
| Delaware | $61,660 |
| South Dakota | $61,190 |
| Indiana | $61,050 |
| Vermont | $60,700 |
| Florida | $60,420 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,350 |
| Georgia | $60,260 |
| Wisconsin | $60,190 |
| Missouri | $60,150 |
| Wyoming | $59,970 |
| Maine | $59,850 |
| Ohio | $59,670 |
| Michigan | $59,270 |
| Arizona | $59,270 |
| Tennessee | $59,120 |
| Iowa | $58,800 |
| Idaho | $58,660 |
| Kansas | $58,650 |
| Virginia | $58,530 |
| Nebraska | $58,050 |
| Texas | $57,870 |
| Montana | $57,060 |
| Louisiana | $54,750 |
| North Carolina | $53,190 |
| Kentucky | $53,030 |
| South Carolina | $52,430 |
| New Mexico | $51,720 |
| Arkansas | $51,300 |
| Oklahoma | $50,950 |
| Mississippi | $50,480 |
| West Virginia | $49,230 |
| Alabama | $49,060 |
| Puerto Rico | $29,750 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Pay for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists differ across the country. Top regions by median wage:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $70,884 | 12.5% | 0.79 |
| New England | $66,342 | 3.6% | 0.81 |
| Middle Atlantic | $65,316 | 13.9% | 0.98 |
| Rocky Mountains | $62,844 | 4.0% | 1.04 |
| Plains States | $60,744 | 9.5% | 1.40 |
| Great Lakes | $60,559 | 16.8% | 1.22 |
| Southwest | $57,221 | 13.9% | 1.11 |
| Southeast | $56,056 | 25.5% | 1.11 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu, HI | HI | $83,980 | 520 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | WA | $82,500 | 150 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | CA | $82,450 | 700 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | WA | $80,850 | 3,540 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $80,820 | 1,780 |
| Napa, CA | CA | $79,580 | 70 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | GA | $78,800 | |
| Savannah, GA | GA | $77,870 | 1,440 |
Top Industries Employing Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
Most bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists are concentrated in the following sectors:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Warehousing | 88,350 | $59,440 |
| Wholesale Trade | 43,110 | $62,370 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 34,190 | $60,080 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 17,010 | $60,110 |
| Manufacturing | 15,780 | $63,230 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 14,990 | $58,600 |
| Retail Trade | 12,300 | $57,100 |
| Educational Services | 10,510 | $51,850 |
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists work in the following industries:
Software Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists Use
- Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD (hot technology)
- Computer aided design CAD software: Dassault Systemes SolidWorks (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP software (hot technology)
Work Environment
Daily working conditions for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists reflects the following characteristics:
- Exposed to Contaminants
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
How to Become Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
Typical bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists positions require some college, no degree as the typical entry-level education. This occupation sits in Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers (Primary-Long)
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (Primary-Long)
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics (Primary-Short)
- Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians (Primary-Long)
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines (Primary-Short)
- Rail Car Repairers (Primary-Short)
- Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians (Primary-Short)
- Motorcycle Mechanics (Primary-Long)
Top Programs to Study For This Career
Future bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists often complete programs in:
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians
2 programs across 1 majors
Sources
Data on this page comes from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 49-3031.00 (Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.