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Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in Iowa
Considering working as a Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in Iowa? Here’s what you need to know. 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 Iowa?
For a bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists working in Iowa, the typical annual salary is $58,800 per year (or roughly $28.27/hour).Earnings range from $40,260 at the 10th percentile to $81,990 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $40,260 | $19.36 |
| 25th percentile | $48,480 | $23.31 |
| Median (50th) | $58,800 | $28.27 |
| 75th percentile | $68,930 | $33.14 |
| 90th percentile | $81,990 | $39.42 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Iowa nationwide is 1.47, meaning that bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists are more concentrated here 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), higher than the Iowa median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 181,745 bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists in the U.S.. In Iowa alone, approximately 4,270 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 Iowa Metros for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
The metro areas below employ the most bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists in Iowa.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 1,050 | $60,380 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 570 | $61,040 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 480 | $60,830 |
| Dubuque, IA | 220 | $56,120 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 190 | $59,130 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 180 | $56,790 |
| Iowa City, IA | 110 | $57,110 |
| Ames, IA | 80 | $60,380 |
Top States for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists Employment
View the states that employ 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
Where bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists earn the most: 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
The most important bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists typically:
- 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
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: 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