Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists Career, Salary and Skills

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $61,770 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 289,960. Wage data is published for 441 locations.

Occupation description

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.

O*NET code

49-3031.00

Job zone

3

Typical education

Post-Secondary Certificate

Experience

Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

National salary and employment

Median annual

$61,770

Hourly median

$29.70

Employment

289,960

Data year

2025

National salary distribution

$44,530
10th
$50,540
25th
$61,770
Median
$75,470
75th
$88,740
90th

Top skills

All skill ratings →

Typical tasks

  • 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.
  • 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.
All task statements →

Technology

  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Computerized maintenance management system software CMMS
  • Cummins INSITE
  • Dassault Systemes CATIA
  • Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
  • Database software
  • Engine diagnostic software
  • Fleet management software
  • Inventory tracking software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Word
  • SAP software
  • Scheduling software
All technology →

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists salary by location

Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.

All 441 locations →

Related careers

Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.