Home / Career Explorer / Installation, Maintenance, and Repair

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)	Projected Growth (2023-2033)
National Statistics	$60,640	25600	2.8%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$60,640

Median Wage (USD, 2023)

25600

Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)

2.8%

Projected Growth (2023-2033)

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.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)

Related Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

Detailed Work Activities

Troubleshoot equipment or systems operation problems.
Repair non-engine automotive or vehicle components.
Adjust vehicle components according to specifications.
Service green vehicles to make repairs or maintain good working order.
Monitor resources.
Service green vehicles to make repairs or maintain good working order.
Measure equipment outputs.
Install vehicle parts or accessories.
Repair non-engine automotive or vehicle components.
Adjust vehicle components according to specifications.
Repair non-engine automotive or vehicle components.
Install vehicle parts or accessories.
Repair tires.
Select tools, equipment, or technologies for use in operations or projects.
Inspect mechanical components of vehicles to identify problems.
Lubricate equipment to allow proper functioning.
Service vehicles to maintain functionality.
Adjust vehicle components according to specifications.
Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
Operate transportation equipment to demonstrate function or malfunction.
Observe equipment in operation to detect potential problems.
Inspect mechanical components of vehicles to identify problems.
Test mechanical equipment to ensure proper functioning.
Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
Inspect mechanical components of vehicles to identify problems.
Measure distances or dimensions.
Repair defective engines or engine components.
Test mechanical equipment to ensure proper functioning.
Rewire electrical or electronic systems.
Replace worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
Rebuild parts or components.
Inspect mechanical components of vehicles to identify problems.
Repair non-engine automotive or vehicle components.
Dismantle heavy equipment or machinery.
Repair defective engines or engine components.
Repair defective engines or engine components.
Align equipment or machinery.
Grind parts to required dimensions.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

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.
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.
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.
Measure vehicle emissions to determine whether they are within acceptable limits.
Follow green operational practices involving conservation of water or energy or reduction of solid waste.
Operate valve-grinding machines to grind and reset valves.

Work Styles

Achievement/Effort

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self-Control

Stress Tolerance

Adaptability/Flexibility

Dependability

Attention to Detail

Integrity

Independence

Innovation

Analytical Thinking

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 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. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Session has been expired