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Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists: 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.
The Daily Work of 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.
Skills and Knowledge
Top bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
The competencies most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Top Knowledge Areas
Related Job Titles
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
There are about 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.
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists Pay
| 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
Compensation for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists shift depending on where you work. The following regions pay the most:
| 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 |
Top Metro Areas
| 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 |
Which Industries Hire Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
The bulk of 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 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Tools and Technology
- 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)
What the Workplace Is Like
The on-the-job environment of 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
Education and Training
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)
Where to Study
Students preparing for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists often complete programs in:
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians
2 programs across 1 majors
Sources
Statistics shown above are sourced 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).
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