What You Need to Know About Bus or Truck Mechanic
Bus or Truck Mechanic Job 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?
- Repair or adjust seats, doors, or windows.
- Adjust and reline brakes, align wheels, tighten bolts and screws, and reassemble equipment.
- Adjust or repair computer controlled exhaust emissions devices.
- Install or repair accessories.
- Disassemble and overhaul internal combustion engines, pumps, generators, transmissions, clutches, and differential units.
- Perform routine maintenance such as changing oil, checking batteries, and lubricating equipment and machinery.
Featured schools near , edit
Bus or Truck Mechanic Needed Skills
When polled, Bus and Truck Mechanics say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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.
Types of Bus or Truck Mechanic
- Truck Bench Mechanic
- Marine Diesel Mechanic
- Ordnance Truck Installation Mechanic
- Engine Maintenance Mechanic
- Truck, Railroad, and Bus Transmission Mechanic
Job Opportunities for Bus and Truck Mechanics
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 278,800 jobs in the United States for Bus or Truck Mechanic. 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. There will be an estimated 28,200 positions for Bus or Truck Mechanic per 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.
What is the Average Salary of a Bus or Truck Mechanic
Bus and Truck Mechanics make between $31,200 and $72,180 a year.

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?
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
Becoming a Bus or Truck Mechanic
What education is needed to be a Bus or Truck Mechanic?

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

Where Bus and Truck Mechanics Work

The table below shows the approximate number of Bus and Truck Mechanics employed by various industries.

Similar Careers
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.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |