Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist Salary
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists earn a median $61,770 a year nationally. Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
U.S. median
$61,770
$29.70 per hour
Range
$44,530 – $88,740
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
289,960
across the U.S.
▲1.9%
Pay trend: The median for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists in the U.S. rose from $60,640 (May 2024) to $61,770 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 0.5%.
What bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists do
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)
- Openings per year
- 24,400
- Self-employed
- 6%
Employment of bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists is projected to grow 3.6% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 24,400 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$51,812
per year · effective tax rate 16.1%
$4,318Monthly
$2,159Twice a month
$1,993Every 2 weeks
$24.91Hourly
- Federal income tax$5,232
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,830
- Medicare (1.45%)$896
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$51,812
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,530 | $21.41 | $37,960 |
| 25th percentile | $50,540 | $24.30 | $42,789 |
| Median (50th) | $61,770 | $29.70 | $51,812 |
| 75th percentile | $75,470 | $36.28 | $61,923 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,740 | $42.66 | $71,259 |
Best cities for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $82,330 | $66,749 | $60,062 | 3,740 |
| 2 | Minneapolis, MN | $73,730 | $57,209 | $54,577 | 4,290 |
| 3 | Kansas City, MO | $62,570 | $50,452 | $54,517 | 2,890 |
| 4 | Denver, CO | $72,800 | $57,550 | $54,404 | 2,770 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $75,770 | $58,566 | $54,094 | 3,110 |
| 6 | Columbus, OH | $62,190 | $51,222 | $53,653 | 2,690 |
| 7 | St. Louis, MO | $62,280 | $50,232 | $52,827 | 2,610 |
| 8 | Indianapolis, IN | $61,710 | $49,973 | $52,221 | 2,850 |
| 9 | Riverside, CA | $71,300 | $55,571 | $52,208 | 3,400 |
| 10 | Los Angeles, CA | $77,380 | $59,283 | $52,201 | 6,520 |
| 11 | New York, NY | $75,780 | $58,646 | $52,101 | 12,430 |
| 12 | Washington, DC | $72,580 | $56,619 | $51,999 | 2,910 |
| 13 | Houston, TX | $60,770 | $51,009 | $51,718 | 7,410 |
| 14 | Philadelphia, PA | $64,550 | $52,064 | $50,768 | 4,490 |
| 15 | Detroit, MI | $63,360 | $50,648 | $50,497 | 3,820 |
| 16 | Charlotte, NC | $60,300 | $48,734 | $50,061 | 3,350 |
| 17 | Chicago, IL | $65,680 | $51,848 | $50,048 | 8,660 |
| 18 | Phoenix, AZ | $63,330 | $51,691 | $50,032 | 3,550 |
| 19 | Atlanta, GA | $62,270 | $49,605 | $49,576 | 5,940 |
| 20 | Dallas, TX | $60,390 | $50,703 | $49,184 | 7,940 |
| 21 | Miami, FL | $61,340 | $51,467 | $45,085 | 4,240 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Seattle, WA — $82,330
- Los Angeles, CA — $77,380
- New York, NY — $75,780
- Boston, MA — $75,770
- Minneapolis, MN — $73,730
- Denver, CO — $72,800
- Washington, DC — $72,580
- Riverside, CA — $71,300
- Chicago, IL — $65,680
- Philadelphia, PA — $64,550
- Detroit, MI — $63,360
- Phoenix, AZ — $63,330
- Kansas City, MO — $62,570
- St. Louis, MO — $62,280
- Atlanta, GA — $62,270
Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $80,080 | +1.4% | $60,610 | $54,330 – $100,540 | 690 |
| Washington | $77,900 | +1.2% | $63,633 | $54,720 – $102,800 | 7,410 |
| Alaska | $75,580 | +3.3% | $62,001 | $52,000 – $98,610 | 860 |
| Maryland | $74,790 | +4.4% | $58,256 | $50,010 – $97,800 | 3,030 |
| California | $73,950 | +4.7% | $57,189 | $47,180 – $96,730 | 20,940 |
| Massachusetts | $73,270 | +8.4% | $56,932 | $49,400 – $99,460 | 4,870 |
| New Jersey | $72,340 | +5.4% | $57,272 | $49,140 – $94,150 | 8,160 |
| New Hampshire | $71,390 | +8.9% | $59,053 | $52,730 – $99,590 | 1,040 |
| Colorado | $70,480 | +6.3% | $56,020 | $47,450 – $96,450 | 4,600 |
| New York | $70,100 | +4.9% | $54,957 | $48,360 – $90,090 | 13,230 |
| Nevada | $68,410 | +5.0% | $56,956 | $48,770 – $97,720 | 1,990 |
| Connecticut | $67,300 | −4.1% | $54,049 | $45,260 – $97,220 | 2,860 |
| Rhode Island | $67,270 | +4.0% | $54,249 | $51,020 – $85,420 | 350 |
| Minnesota | $66,840 | +3.9% | $52,830 | $49,810 – $90,520 | 7,300 |
| North Dakota | $66,110 | +4.2% | $55,269 | $46,790 – $91,520 | 1,790 |
| District of Columbia | $65,200 | −0.6% | $51,777 | $49,930 – $93,040 | 110 |
| Utah | $64,350 | +2.2% | $51,955 | $46,970 – $83,140 | 2,690 |
| Illinois | $64,340 | +2.5% | $50,837 | $44,760 – $97,670 | 11,320 |
| Oregon | $63,970 | +2.1% | $48,812 | $47,690 – $90,700 | 3,770 |
| Delaware | $63,590 | +3.1% | $50,419 | $49,250 – $82,650 | 670 |
| Wisconsin | $62,450 | +3.8% | $50,392 | $45,250 – $82,210 | 6,750 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,740 | +2.3% | $49,893 | $45,910 – $80,440 | 12,630 |
| Arizona | $61,680 | +4.1% | $50,407 | $45,460 – $84,350 | 5,140 |
| Wyoming | $61,580 | +2.7% | $51,660 | $45,140 – $80,400 | 1,100 |
| Michigan | $61,420 | +3.6% | $49,171 | $45,240 – $81,010 | 9,020 |
| Georgia | $61,370 | +1.8% | $48,928 | $45,890 – $85,260 | 10,910 |
| Virginia | $61,090 | +4.4% | $48,567 | $45,250 – $79,150 | 8,070 |
| Maine | $60,850 | +1.7% | $48,147 | $45,760 – $79,450 | 1,380 |
| Indiana | $60,610 | −0.7% | $49,122 | $44,160 – $79,730 | 8,840 |
| Florida | $60,490 | +0.1% | $50,784 | $44,300 – $79,210 | 14,900 |
| Ohio | $60,470 | +1.3% | $49,887 | $44,860 – $78,120 | 14,240 |
| Montana | $59,990 | +5.1% | $48,319 | $44,880 – $77,700 | 1,230 |
| Iowa | $59,680 | +1.5% | $48,517 | $43,710 – $80,080 | 4,140 |
| Kansas | $59,460 | +1.4% | $47,438 | $43,610 – $81,000 | 3,300 |
| Vermont | $59,390 | −2.2% | $48,344 | $46,380 – $84,060 | 550 |
| Missouri | $59,360 | −1.3% | $48,023 | $41,170 – $82,480 | 6,780 |
| South Carolina | $59,330 | +13.2% | $47,449 | $41,440 – $76,670 | 3,360 |
| Idaho | $59,230 | +1.0% | $47,740 | $45,960 – $77,800 | 1,930 |
| Tennessee | $59,190 | +0.1% | $49,739 | $40,450 – $80,580 | 5,720 |
| Nebraska | $59,140 | +1.9% | $47,888 | $44,010 – $79,400 | 2,720 |
| Texas | $58,810 | +1.6% | $49,434 | $40,930 – $81,660 | 29,870 |
| Louisiana | $58,680 | +7.2% | $47,955 | $38,900 – $79,160 | 3,270 |
| South Dakota | $58,120 | −5.0% | $48,879 | $45,500 – $78,810 | 1,340 |
| North Carolina | $57,490 | +8.1% | $46,588 | $39,890 – $76,240 | 11,070 |
| New Mexico | $55,910 | +8.1% | $45,642 | $37,860 – $83,260 | 1,740 |
| Kentucky | $55,480 | +4.6% | $44,934 | $38,250 – $80,500 | 3,890 |
| Oklahoma | $55,340 | +8.6% | $44,701 | $37,250 – $76,130 | 3,970 |
| Mississippi | $54,360 | +7.7% | $44,416 | $37,390 – $82,020 | 3,140 |
| Arkansas | $52,330 | +2.0% | $42,399 | $38,620 – $69,260 | 4,090 |
| Alabama | $50,470 | +2.9% | $40,474 | $37,470 – $75,660 | 6,130 |
| West Virginia | $46,610 | −5.3% | $38,261 | $35,350 – $78,460 | 1,040 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | $65,510 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.7% |
| Motorboat Mechanic and Service Technician | $57,550 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.9% |
| Farm Equipment Mechanic and Service Technician | $56,550 | High school diploma or equivalent | +10.7% |
| Rail Car Repairer | $67,530 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.6% |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairer | $54,890 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.7% |
| Recreational Vehicle Service Technician | $52,000 | High school diploma or equivalent | +9.7% |
| Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic | $50,620 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.0% |
| Motorcycle Mechanic | $48,580 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +2.1% |
| Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanic | $47,880 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.3% |
| Automotive Glass Installer and Repairer | $47,630 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bus and truck mechanic and diesel engine specialist make?
The national median salary for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists is $61,770 a year ($29.70 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $44,530 and the top 10% earn over $88,740. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists the most?
Hawaii has the highest median pay at $80,080. After taxes and local prices, Seattle, WA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists are there in the U.S.?
About 289,960 people work as bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists nationwide.