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Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in Iowa

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
Salary ranges for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in Iowa

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.

Forecasted number of jobs for 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:

Repairing  4.0 / 5
0
5
Troubleshooting  4.0 / 5
0
5
Operations Monitoring  3.5 / 5
0
5
Equipment Maintenance  3.4 / 5
0
5
Critical Thinking  3.2 / 5
0
5
Quality Control Analysis  3.2 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Mechanical  4.7 / 5
0
5
Transportation  3.9 / 5
0
5
Education and Training  3.5 / 5
0
5
English Language  3.5 / 5
0
5
Public Safety and Security  3.4 / 5
0
5
Mathematics  3.3 / 5
0
5

Abilities

Key abilities for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Near Vision  4.0 / 5
0
5
Manual Dexterity  3.9 / 5
0
5
Finger Dexterity  3.9 / 5
0
5
Arm-Hand Steadiness  3.9 / 5
0
5
Control Precision  3.8 / 5
0
5
Hearing Sensitivity  3.8 / 5
0
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:

  • Vehicle Maintenance & Repair

Other careers like bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists include:

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

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