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Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

Transportation, Distribution and LogisticsO*NET 49-3031.00United States

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.

COMING SOON See related ASU learning
Median annual earnings
$60,717

50th percentile, United States

Projected change
+5.5%

2025 to 2035

Typical education
Certificate

39.5% of the workforce

Employment
317.58K jobs

Growing to 334.92K by 2035

Explore this career by location

Compare nationwide estimates with state or county job-market data.

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Build the skills

ASU learning related to this career

These courses and certificates are connected through catalog career relationships and Lightcast skill tags.

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The work

What bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists do

Tasks reported for this occupation, ordered by how often they come up in the role.

  • 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.
  • Perform routine maintenance such as changing oil, checking batteries, and lubricating equipment and machinery.
  • Attach test instruments to equipment, and read dials and gauges to diagnose malfunctions.
  • 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.
  • Diagnose and repair vehicle heating and cooling systems.
  • Test drive trucks and buses to diagnose malfunctions or to ensure that they are working properly.
  • Rewire ignition systems, lights, and instrument panels.
  • Inspect, repair, and maintain automotive and mechanical equipment and machinery, such as pumps and compressors.
  • Inspect and verify dimensions and clearances of parts to ensure conformance to factory specifications.
  • Disassemble and overhaul internal combustion engines, pumps, generators, transmissions, clutches, and differential units.
  • Adjust or repair computer controlled exhaust emissions devices.
  • Rebuild gas or diesel engines.
  • Specialize in repairing and maintaining parts of the engine, such as fuel injection systems.
  • Recondition and replace parts, pistons, bearings, gears, and valves.
  • Install or repair accessories.
  • Repair or adjust seats, doors, or windows.
  • Dismount, mount, and repair or replace tires.
  • Align front ends and suspension systems.
  • Maintain or repair vehicles with alternative fuel systems, including biodiesel, hybrid, or compressed natural gas vehicles.

Pay and outlook

What the job pays and where it is heading

Annual earnings range

Reported earnings by percentile, United States

10th percentile
$42,872
25th percentile
$49,145
50th percentile
$60,717
75th percentile
$75,039
90th percentile
$89,962

The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $60,717 and half earn less.

Employment outlook

2025 to 2035 projection

+5.5%average or slower
2025317,578 jobs
2035 projected334,923 jobs

17,345 more positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.

Preparation

Education levels

What people currently working in the career hold. These are not entry requirements.

Certificate
39.5%
High school diploma or less
37.9%
Some college
21.9%
Associate degree
0.7%

Skills

Skills employers ask for

Technical skills appearing most often in job postings for this occupation.

  • Diesel Engines
  • Electrical Systems
  • Preventive Maintenance
  • Brakes
  • Suspension (Vehicle)
  • Hydraulics
  • Mechanics
  • Hand Tools
  • Lifting Ability
  • HVAC
  • Heavy Equipment
  • Good Driving Record
  • Vehicle Maintenance
  • Changing Oil
  • Mechanical Aptitude
  • Planned Maintenance
  • Welding
  • Diagnostic Tools
  • Machinery
  • Tires

How the work gets done

Core competencies

Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.

Repairing
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Troubleshooting
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Equipment Maintenance
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Equipment Selection
Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Systems Analysis
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

In the market

Job titles and employers

Recent job postings in United States

Common job titles

  1. 01Diesel Mechanics13,078 postings
  2. 02Diesel Technicians9,199 postings
  3. 03Diesel Mechanic Technicians3,274 postings
  4. 04Diesel Technicians/Mechanics3,019 postings
  5. 05Mobile Diesel Mechanics1,992 postings
  6. 06Lead Diesel Mechanics1,448 postings
  7. 07Heavy Duty Diesel Mechanics1,112 postings
  8. 08Diesel Fleet Mechanic Technicians1,103 postings
  9. 09Heavy Equipment Diesel Mechanics1,069 postings
  10. 10Mobile Diesel Technicians1,039 postings
  11. 11Apprentice Technicians1,012 postings
  12. 12Lead Diesel Technicians565 postings
  13. 13Diesel Truck Mechanics556 postings
  14. 14Fleet Diesel Mechanics504 postings
  15. 15Automotive Diesel Technicians419 postings
  16. 16Heavy Diesel Mechanics414 postings
  17. 17Diesel Truck Technicians372 postings
  18. 18Diesel Mechanics/Service Technicians335 postings
  19. 19Mechanics333 postings
  20. 20Heavy Equipment Diesel Technicians332 postings

Top employers

  1. 01Ryder1,934 postings
  2. 02Love's1,859 postings
  3. 03Penske1,273 postings
  4. 04Waste Management1,061 postings
  5. 05Rush Enterprises1,039 postings
  6. 06United Rentals956 postings
  7. 07TravelCenters of America900 postings
  8. 08GPAC795 postings
  9. 09US Foods724 postings
  10. 10Dollar General705 postings
  11. 11Aerotek617 postings
  12. 12Republic Services586 postings
  13. 13Waste Connections565 postings
  14. 14Cox Fleet Services556 postings
  15. 15Sysco489 postings
  16. 16Penske Truck Leasing455 postings
  17. 17Gfl Environmental402 postings
  18. 18Cox Automotive371 postings
  19. 19FleetPride354 postings
  20. 20Amerit Fleet Solutions321 postings

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