Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist Salary in Washington, DC
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $72,580 a year — 18% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $56,619 take-home, or $4,718 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bus and truck mechanic and diesel engine specialist salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,138
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,500
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,052
- District of Columbia income tax$3,271
- Take-home pay$56,619
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 6.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,200 | $24.62 | $41,413 | $3,451 |
| 25th percentile | $61,280 | $29.46 | $48,882 | $4,073 |
| Median (50th) | $72,580 | $34.89 | $56,619 | $4,718 |
| 75th percentile | $80,590 | $38.75 | $61,643 | $5,137 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,060 | $46.66 | $71,830 | $5,986 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $72,580 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bus and truck mechanic and diesel engine specialist's $56,619 take-home pay has the buying power of $51,999 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist jobs are less concentrated in Washington, DC than nationally (location quotient 0.50), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #12 of 21 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $82,330 | $66,749 | $60,062 |
| 2 | Minneapolis, MN | $73,730 | $57,209 | $54,577 |
| 3 | Kansas City, MO | $62,570 | $50,452 | $54,517 |
| 4 | Denver, CO | $72,800 | $57,550 | $54,404 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $75,770 | $58,566 | $54,094 |
| 6 | Columbus, OH | $62,190 | $51,222 | $53,653 |
| 7 | St. Louis, MO | $62,280 | $50,232 | $52,827 |
| 8 | Indianapolis, IN | $61,710 | $49,973 | $52,221 |
| 12 | Washington, DC | $72,580 | $56,619 | $51,999 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 21 metros →
About the job: 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.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.6% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bus and truck mechanic and diesel engine specialist make in Washington, DC?
The median bus and truck mechanic and diesel engine specialist salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $72,580 a year, or about $34.89 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $61,280 and $80,590.
What is a bus and truck mechanic and diesel engine specialist’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $72,580 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $56,619 a year ($4,718 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,271 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a bus and truck mechanic and diesel engine specialist?
Pay here is 18% above the national median of $61,770. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $51,999 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #12 of 21 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bus and truck mechanic and diesel engine specialist afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 42% of a median bus and truck mechanic and diesel engine specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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