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Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in California
Want to work as a Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in California? Below are the key facts. 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.
What do Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists Make in California?
For a bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists working in California, wages run about $70,650 per year (or roughly $33.97/hour).Earnings range from $45,540 at the 10th percentile to $94,450 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $45,540 | $21.89 |
| 25th percentile | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| Median (50th) | $70,650 | $33.97 |
| 75th percentile | $82,500 | $39.67 |
| 90th percentile | $94,450 | $45.41 |
The job concentration index in California nationwide is 0.65, suggesting fewer bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists earn a median of $55,957 per year ($26.90/hour), above the California median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 181,745 bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists across the United States. In California alone, about 21,730 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 3,920 bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists.
Top California Metros for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
The largest metro-area employers of bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 6,030 | $74,490 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 4,170 | $64,390 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 1,780 | $80,820 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 1,550 | $73,180 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 1,430 | $69,170 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 920 | $64,150 |
| Fresno, CA | 730 | $60,350 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 700 | $82,450 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 650 | $66,090 |
| Modesto, CA | 420 | $73,790 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 340 | $71,690 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 260 | $73,790 |
| Visalia, CA | 260 | $63,540 |
| Salinas, CA | 220 | $67,850 |
| Vallejo, CA | 220 | $67,250 |
| Merced, CA | 170 | $61,770 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 170 | $68,110 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 150 | $66,720 |
| El Centro, CA | 120 | $66,820 |
| Redding, CA | 100 | $71,010 |
| Yuba City, CA | 90 | $59,320 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 80 | $62,710 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 80 | $71,150 |
| Chico, CA | 70 | $63,820 |
| Napa, CA | 70 | $79,580 |
Top States for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists Employment
The table below shows the states where the most bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 29,730 |
| California | 21,730 |
| New York | 14,320 |
| Ohio | 14,170 |
| Pennsylvania | 13,560 |
| Florida | 12,570 |
| Georgia | 11,470 |
| North Carolina | 10,290 |
| Illinois | 9,920 |
| Indiana | 8,730 |
| New Jersey | 8,360 |
| Michigan | 8,330 |
| Virginia | 7,870 |
| Wisconsin | 7,170 |
| Washington | 6,880 |
| Minnesota | 6,790 |
| Tennessee | 6,640 |
| Missouri | 6,520 |
| Alabama | 5,650 |
| Arizona | 5,430 |
Highest-Paying States for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
The highest-paying states for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists.
| 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 |
Skills
Key bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- 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.
- Rewire ignition systems, lights, and instrument panels.
- Test drive trucks and buses to diagnose malfunctions or to ensure that they are working properly.
- Diagnose and repair vehicle heating and cooling systems.
- Inspect, repair, and maintain automotive and mechanical equipment and machinery, such as pumps and compressors.
Work Activities
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Getting Information
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
Related Careers
Other careers like bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists include:
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
- Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
- Rail Car Repairers
Also Known As
Biodiesel Engine Specialist, Boat Diesel Motor Mechanic, Boat Engine Installer, Boat Engine Mechanic, Boat Mechanic, Bus Engine Mechanic, Bus Garage Mechanic, Bus Mechanic, Bus Motor Mechanic, Bus Overhauler, Bus Transmission Mechanic, Bus Tune-Up Mechanic, Diesel Engine Erector, Diesel Engine Fitter, Diesel Engine Mechanic.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 49-3031.00