Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist Salary in Houston, TX
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn a median $60,770 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $51,009 take-home, or $4,251 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bus and truck mechanic and diesel engine specialist salary in Houston, TX. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,112
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,768
- Medicare (1.45%)$881
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$51,009
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% 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 Houston, TX
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,960 | $21.62 | $38,305 | $3,192 |
| 25th percentile | $49,810 | $23.95 | $42,202 | $3,517 |
| Median (50th) | $60,770 | $29.22 | $51,009 | $4,251 |
| 75th percentile | $74,500 | $35.82 | $61,241 | $5,103 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,650 | $46.47 | $76,823 | $6,402 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Texas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $60,770 buys in Houston, TX
Prices in Houston, TX are 1.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.05× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bus and truck mechanic and diesel engine specialist's $51,009 take-home pay has the buying power of $51,718 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Houston, TX has 1.2× the national concentration of bus and truck mechanic and diesel engine specialist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Houston, TX ranks #13 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 |
| 13 | Houston, TX | $60,770 | $51,009 | $51,718 |
*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.
Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist salaries elsewhere in Texas
- Dallas, TX — $60,390
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bus and truck mechanic and diesel engine specialist make in Houston, TX?
The median bus and truck mechanic and diesel engine specialist salary in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area is $60,770 a year, or about $29.22 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $49,810 and $74,500.
What is a bus and truck mechanic and diesel engine specialist’s take-home pay in Houston, TX?
On the median $60,770 salary, a single filer living in Texas takes home about $51,009 a year ($4,251 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Houston, TX a good place to work as a bus and truck mechanic and diesel engine specialist?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $61,770. Local prices are 1.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $51,718 would in a typical U.S. city. Houston, TX ranks #13 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 Houston, TX?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Houston, TX is $1,316 a month ($1,558 for two bedrooms) — 31% 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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