Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $44,530 | $21.41 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $61,770 | $29.70 |
| Mean (average) | $64,320 | $30.92 |
| 90th percentile | $88,740 | $42.66 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 53 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $50,470 | $37,470 | $75,660 | 6,130 | 1.55 |
| Alaska | $75,580 | $52,000 | $98,610 | 860 | 1.41 |
| Arizona | $61,680 | $45,460 | $84,350 | 5,140 | 0.85 |
| Arkansas | $52,330 | $38,620 | $69,260 | 4,090 | 1.68 |
| California | $73,950 | $47,180 | $96,730 | 20,940 | 0.62 |
| Colorado | $70,480 | $47,450 | $96,450 | 4,600 | 0.86 |
| Connecticut | $67,300 | $45,260 | $97,220 | 2,860 | 0.9 |
| Delaware | $63,590 | $49,250 | $82,650 | 670 | 0.74 |
| District of Columbia | $65,200 | $49,930 | $93,040 | 110 | 0.08 |
| Florida | $60,490 | $44,300 | $79,210 | 14,900 | 0.8 |
| Georgia | $61,370 | $45,890 | $85,260 | 10,910 | 1.2 |
| Guam | $51,720 | $31,920 | $59,880 | 30 | 0.27 |
| Hawaii | $80,080 | $54,330 | $100,540 | 690 | 0.59 |
| Idaho | $59,230 | $45,960 | $77,800 | 1,930 | 1.21 |
| Illinois | $64,340 | $44,760 | $97,670 | 11,320 | 1 |
| Indiana | $60,610 | $44,160 | $79,730 | 8,840 | 1.48 |
| Iowa | $59,680 | $43,710 | $80,080 | 4,140 | 1.42 |
| Kansas | $59,460 | $43,610 | $81,000 | 3,300 | 1.23 |
| Kentucky | $55,480 | $38,250 | $80,500 | 3,890 | 1.04 |
| Louisiana | $58,680 | $38,900 | $79,160 | 3,270 | 0.91 |
| Maine | $60,850 | $45,760 | $79,450 | 1,380 | 1.15 |
| Maryland | $74,790 | $50,010 | $97,800 | 3,030 | 0.59 |
| Massachusetts | $73,270 | $49,400 | $99,460 | 4,870 | 0.72 |
| Michigan | $61,420 | $45,240 | $81,010 | 9,020 | 1.1 |
| Minnesota | $66,840 | $49,810 | $90,520 | 7,300 | 1.33 |
| Mississippi | $54,360 | $37,390 | $82,020 | 3,140 | 1.45 |
| Missouri | $59,360 | $41,170 | $82,480 | 6,780 | 1.24 |
| Montana | $59,990 | $44,880 | $77,700 | 1,230 | 1.29 |
| Nebraska | $59,140 | $44,010 | $79,400 | 2,720 | 1.43 |
| Nevada | $68,410 | $48,770 | $97,720 | 1,990 | 0.69 |
| New Hampshire | $71,390 | $52,730 | $99,590 | 1,040 | 0.82 |
| New Jersey | $72,340 | $49,140 | $94,150 | 8,160 | 1.02 |
| New Mexico | $55,910 | $37,860 | $83,260 | 1,740 | 1.07 |
| New York | $70,100 | $48,360 | $90,090 | 13,230 | 0.73 |
| North Carolina | $57,490 | $39,890 | $76,240 | 11,070 | 1.2 |
| North Dakota | $66,110 | $46,790 | $91,520 | 1,790 | 2.23 |
| Ohio | $60,470 | $44,860 | $78,120 | 14,240 | 1.38 |
| Oklahoma | $55,340 | $37,250 | $76,130 | 3,970 | 1.25 |
| Oregon | $63,970 | $47,690 | $90,700 | 3,770 | 1.03 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,740 | $45,910 | $80,440 | 12,630 | 1.12 |
| Puerto Rico | $40,110 | $24,010 | $73,710 | 930 | 0.53 |
| Rhode Island | $67,270 | $51,020 | $85,420 | 350 | 0.38 |
| South Carolina | $59,330 | $41,440 | $76,670 | 3,360 | 0.78 |
| South Dakota | $58,120 | $45,500 | $78,810 | 1,340 | 1.57 |
| Tennessee | $59,190 | $40,450 | $80,580 | 5,720 | 0.94 |
| Texas | $58,810 | $40,930 | $81,660 | 29,870 | 1.14 |
| Utah | $64,350 | $46,970 | $83,140 | 2,690 | 0.83 |
| Vermont | $59,390 | $46,380 | $84,060 | 550 | 0.98 |
| Virginia | $61,090 | $45,250 | $79,150 | 8,070 | 1.05 |
| Washington | $77,900 | $54,720 | $102,800 | 7,410 | 1.12 |
| West Virginia | $46,610 | $35,350 | $78,460 | 1,040 | 0.8 |
| Wisconsin | $62,450 | $45,250 | $82,210 | 6,750 | 1.23 |
| Wyoming | $61,580 | $45,140 | $80,400 | 1,100 | 2.1 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 24,400. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 5.9%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician CIP 47.0605
- Medium/Heavy Vehicle and Truck Technology/Technician CIP 47.0613
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- 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.
Technology skills
- Autodesk AutoCAD (hot technology)
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- SAP software (hot technology)
- Computerized maintenance management system software CMMS
- Cummins INSITE
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- Database software
- Engine diagnostic software
- Fleet management software
- Inventory tracking software
- Scheduling software
- Shop management software
Transferable skills for career changers: Troubleshooting, Repairing, Operations Monitoring, Equipment Maintenance, Quality Control Analysis, Equipment Selection.
Common job titles: Bus Mechanic, Diesel Mechanic, Diesel Technician (Diesel Tech), Fleet Mechanic, General Repair Mechanic, Heavy Truck Mechanic, Service Technician, Trailer Mechanic, Transit Mechanic, Truck Mechanic.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists make?
The national median annual wage for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists was $61,770 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $44,530 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $88,740. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and long-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists a growing career?
BLS projects employment of bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists to change +3.6% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 24,400 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Hawaii ($80,080), Washington ($77,900), Alaska ($75,580). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.