Find Trade Colleges
Life As a Bus or Truck Mechanic
Career Description 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.
Life As a Bus or Truck Mechanic: What Do They Do?
- Recondition and replace parts, pistons, bearings, gears, and valves.
- Perform routine maintenance such as changing oil, checking batteries, and lubricating equipment and machinery.
- Adjust and reline brakes, align wheels, tighten bolts and screws, and reassemble equipment.
- Align front ends and suspension systems.
- Follow green operational practices involving conservation of water or energy or reduction of solid waste.
- Rebuild gas or diesel engines.
Featured schools near , edit
Qualities of a Bus or Truck Mechanic
Bus and Truck Mechanics state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Diesel Technician
- Farm Implement Engine Mechanic
- Marine Engine Machinist Apprentice
- Trailer Mechanic
- Ordnance Truck Installation Mechanic
Are There Job Opportunities for Bus and Truck Mechanics?
There were about 278,800 jobs for Bus or Truck Mechanic in 2016 (in the United States). 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.
Bus or Truck Mechanic Salary
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 |
What Tools do Bus and Truck Mechanics Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Bus and Truck Mechanics may use on a daily basis:
- 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 do I Become a Bus or Truck Mechanic?
Learn what Bus or Truck Mechanic education requirements there are.
What work experience do I need to become a Bus or Truck Mechanic?
Where Bus and Truck Mechanics Work
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Career changers with experience as a Bus or Truck Mechanic sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Nigel Sandridge via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
TradeCollege.org 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. TradeCollege.org is a for-profit site, and the displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© TradeCollege.org – All Rights Reserved.