Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist Salary in Seattle, WA
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median $82,330 a year — 33% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $66,749 take-home, or $5,562 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bus and truck mechanic and diesel engine specialist salary in Seattle, WA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,283
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,104
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,194
- Washington income tax$0
- Take-home pay$66,749
Marginal rate: 22% 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 Seattle, WA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,410 | $29.52 | $51,523 | $4,294 |
| 25th percentile | $71,810 | $34.52 | $59,348 | $4,946 |
| Median (50th) | $82,330 | $39.58 | $66,749 | $5,562 |
| 75th percentile | $97,190 | $46.73 | $77,203 | $6,434 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,550 | $55.55 | $90,119 | $7,510 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Washington resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $82,330 buys in Seattle, WA
Prices in Seattle, WA are 11.1% 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 $66,749 take-home pay has the buying power of $60,062 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 Seattle, WA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.96).
Best-paying cities for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Seattle, WA ranks #1 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 Seattle, WA?
The median bus and truck mechanic and diesel engine specialist salary in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $82,330 a year, or about $39.58 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $71,810 and $97,190.
What is a bus and truck mechanic and diesel engine specialist’s take-home pay in Seattle, WA?
On the median $82,330 salary, a single filer living in Washington takes home about $66,749 a year ($5,562 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Seattle, WA a good place to work as a bus and truck mechanic and diesel engine specialist?
Pay here is 33% above the national median of $61,770. Local prices are 11.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $60,062 would in a typical U.S. city. Seattle, WA ranks #1 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 Seattle, WA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Seattle, WA is $2,022 a month ($2,379 for two bedrooms) — 36% 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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