All About Bus and Truck Mechanics
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
- Diagnose and repair vehicle heating and cooling systems.
- Repair or adjust seats, doors, or windows.
- Disassemble and overhaul internal combustion engines, pumps, generators, transmissions, clutches, and differential units.
- Test drive trucks and buses to diagnose malfunctions or to ensure that they are working properly.
- Adjust and reline brakes, align wheels, tighten bolts and screws, and reassemble equipment.
- Inspect brake systems, steering mechanisms, wheel bearings, and other important parts to ensure that they are in proper operating condition.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Bus or Truck Mechanic?
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.
Types of Bus or Truck Mechanic
- Truck, Railroad, and Bus Transmission Mechanic
- Marine Diesel Technician
- Diesel Engine Fitter
- Maintenance Technician
- Truck, Railroad, and Bus Engine Mechanic
Are There 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. 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.
Do Bus and Truck Mechanics Make A Lot Of Money?
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.
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 |
What Tools & Technology 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
How to Become a Bus or Truck Mechanic
Are there Bus and Truck Mechanics education requirements?
What work experience do I need to become a Bus or Truck Mechanic?
Where Bus and Truck Mechanics Are Employed
The table below shows the approximate number of Bus and Truck Mechanics employed by various industries.
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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