Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
SOC 49-3031BLS OEWS May 2025
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.
National median · BLS
$61,770
▲ +1.86%YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$64,320
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
289,960
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Percentile
All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay
$44,530
25th
$50,540
Median (50th)
$61,770
75th
$75,470
90th — top pay
$88,740
Hourly ⇄ annual pay
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Monthly—
Every 2 weeks—
Weekly—
Daily—
Based on
hrs/week ×
weeks/year
= 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035
Job outlook for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
BLS projects employment of bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists to grow 3.6% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations.
About 24,400 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.
Jobs 2025 → 2035
316,000 → 327,400
+11,400 jobs
Projected change
+3.6%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
24,400
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Long-term on-the-job training
Self-employed
5.9% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 3)
Medium Preparation Needed. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
About the job
What bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists do
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.
Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.
Similar jobs and how they pay
Occupations O*NET lists as closely related to Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists, with BLS national medians compared with this occupation's $61,770.
