Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Job description

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists 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.

• Inspect brake systems, steering mechanisms, wheel bearings, and other important parts to ensure that they are in proper operating condition.
• 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.
• Adjust and reline brakes, align wheels, tighten bolts and screws, and reassemble equipment.
• Examine and adjust protective guards, loose bolts, and specified safety devices.

Salary

Bus and Truck Mechanics with little to no experience tend to make between $31200 and $37710 while the more experienced ones can earn over $59210 per year.

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist is to move to a higher paying state like AK. Right now, the highest paying states for Bus and Truck Mechanics are AK, DC, MA, CT and HI.

However, a higher pay at AK doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at AK might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.

Requirements

We asked other Bus and Truck Mechanics what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a High School Diploma followed by less than a High School Diploma.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist.

What is the job like

68% of Bus and Truck Mechanics said they were satisfied with their job and 51% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.

Is this right for me

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

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