Life As a 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.
Daily Life Of a Bus or Truck Mechanic
- Maintain or repair vehicles with alternative fuel systems, including biodiesel, hybrid, or compressed natural gas vehicles.
- Specialize in repairing and maintaining parts of the engine, such as fuel injection systems.
- Follow green operational practices involving conservation of water or energy or reduction of solid waste.
- Raise trucks, buses, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks or hoists.
- Repair or adjust seats, doors, or windows.
- Install or repair accessories.
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Qualities of a Bus or Truck Mechanic
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 Jobs
- Deep Submergence Vehicle Crewmember
- Maintenance Technician
- Boat Engine Mechanic
- Truck Bench Mechanic
- Farm Equipment Engine Mechanic
Job Opportunities 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. 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.
Do Bus and Truck Mechanics Make A Lot Of Money?
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.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Bus and Truck Mechanics in different U.S. states.
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
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 to Become a Bus or Truck Mechanic
What education or degrees do I need to become a Bus or Truck Mechanic?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Who Employs Bus and Truck Mechanics?

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Related 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.
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