Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist Salary in Denver, CO
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median $72,800 a year — 18% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $57,550 take-home, or $4,796 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bus and truck mechanic and diesel engine specialist salary in Denver, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,186
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,514
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,056
- Colorado income tax$2,495
- Take-home pay$57,550
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.40% state
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 Denver, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,450 | $24.25 | $41,205 | $3,434 |
| 25th percentile | $61,990 | $29.80 | $49,970 | $4,164 |
| Median (50th) | $72,800 | $35.00 | $57,550 | $4,796 |
| 75th percentile | $82,320 | $39.58 | $63,828 | $5,319 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,130 | $47.18 | $74,255 | $6,188 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $72,800 buys in Denver, CO
Prices in Denver, CO are 5.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.47× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bus and truck mechanic and diesel engine specialist's $57,550 take-home pay has the buying power of $54,404 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 about as common in Denver, CO as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.92).
Best-paying cities for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Denver, CO ranks #4 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 |
*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 Denver, CO?
The median bus and truck mechanic and diesel engine specialist salary in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $72,800 a year, or about $35.00 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $61,990 and $82,320.
What is a bus and truck mechanic and diesel engine specialist’s take-home pay in Denver, CO?
On the median $72,800 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $57,550 a year ($4,796 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,495 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Denver, CO 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 5.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $54,404 would in a typical U.S. city. Denver, CO ranks #4 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 Denver, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Denver, CO is $1,754 a month ($2,089 for two bedrooms) — 37% 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%.