What Does it Take to Be a Bus or Truck Mechanic?
Bus or Truck Mechanic Definition 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.
List of Bus or Truck Mechanic Job Duties
- Disassemble and overhaul internal combustion engines, pumps, generators, transmissions, clutches, and differential units.
- Align front ends and suspension systems.
- Maintain or repair vehicles with alternative fuel systems, including biodiesel, hybrid, or compressed natural gas vehicles.
- Operate valve-grinding machines to grind and reset valves.
- Repair or adjust seats, doors, or windows.
- Specialize in repairing and maintaining parts of the engine, such as fuel injection systems.
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What a Bus or Truck Mechanic Should Know
These are the skills Bus and Truck Mechanics say are the most useful in their careers:
Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Other Bus or Truck Mechanic Job Titles
- Truck, Railroad, and Bus Tune Up Mechanic
- Diesel Mechanic
- Diesel Tractor Engine Mechanic
- Diesel Engine Erector
- Deep Submergence Vehicle Crewmember
Job Demand for Bus and Truck Mechanics
In the United States, there were 278,800 jobs for Bus or Truck Mechanic in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 9.3% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 25,800 new jobs for Bus or Truck Mechanic by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 28,200 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Bus or Truck Mechanic are Utah, North Dakota, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Maine, or Maryland. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Bus or Truck Mechanic Make?
The typical yearly salary for Bus and Truck Mechanics is somewhere between $31,200 and $72,180.

Bus and Truck Mechanics who work in Alaska, District of Columbia, or Hawaii, make the highest salaries.
How much do Bus and Truck Mechanics make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $43,830 |
Alaska | $66,280 |
Arizona | $46,640 |
Arkansas | $40,440 |
California | $56,830 |
Colorado | $52,350 |
Connecticut | $58,060 |
Delaware | $49,450 |
District of Columbia | $60,730 |
Florida | $46,610 |
Georgia | $46,120 |
Hawaii | $57,490 |
Idaho | $42,770 |
Illinois | $53,290 |
Indiana | $44,660 |
Iowa | $43,000 |
Kansas | $44,170 |
Kentucky | $43,340 |
Louisiana | $47,680 |
Maine | $44,530 |
Maryland | $51,890 |
Massachusetts | $59,310 |
Michigan | $45,930 |
Minnesota | $51,480 |
Mississippi | $38,700 |
Missouri | $45,320 |
Montana | $51,160 |
Nebraska | $43,460 |
Nevada | $57,250 |
New Hampshire | $52,240 |
New Jersey | $55,500 |
New Mexico | $43,520 |
New York | $55,340 |
North Carolina | $45,310 |
North Dakota | $54,080 |
Ohio | $46,900 |
Oklahoma | $44,340 |
Oregon | $51,000 |
Pennsylvania | $46,960 |
Rhode Island | $49,620 |
South Carolina | $44,910 |
South Dakota | $43,500 |
Tennessee | $44,890 |
Texas | $48,450 |
Utah | $48,360 |
Vermont | $46,700 |
Virginia | $48,470 |
Washington | $55,830 |
West Virginia | $39,440 |
Wisconsin | $48,070 |
Wyoming | $53,380 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Bus and Truck Mechanics
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Bus and Truck Mechanics:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Word processing software
- SAP
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Database software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Scheduling software
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS
- Inventory tracking software
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
- Computerized maintenance management system software CMMS
How to Become a Bus or Truck Mechanic
Individuals working as a Bus or Truck Mechanic have obtained the following education levels:

How Long Does it Take to Become a Bus or Truck Mechanic?

Bus and Truck Mechanics Sector

Below are examples of industries where Bus and Truck Mechanics work:

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Are you already one of the many Bus or Truck Mechanic in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Nigel Sandridge via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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