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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. Includes mechanics working primarily with automobile or marine diesel engines.
Other titles employers use
Bus Mechanic · Diesel Mechanic · Diesel Technician (Diesel Tech) · Fleet Mechanic · General Repair Mechanic · Heavy Truck Mechanic · Service Technician · Trailer Mechanic
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Use handtools, such as screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, pressure gauges, or precision instruments, as well as power tools, such as pneumatic wrenches, lathes, welding equipment, or jacks and hoists.
- Inspect brake systems, steering mechanisms, wheel bearings, and other important parts to ensure that they are in proper operating condition.
- Raise trucks, buses, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks or hoists.
- Adjust and reline brakes, align wheels, tighten bolts and screws, and reassemble equipment.
- Attach test instruments to equipment, and read dials and gauges to diagnose malfunctions.
- Perform routine maintenance such as changing oil, checking batteries, and lubricating equipment and machinery.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, organizing and analytical work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Troubleshooting
- Repairing
- Operations Monitoring
- Equipment Maintenance
- Critical Thinking
- Quality Control Analysis
Subjects to know
- Mechanical
- Transportation
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
Useful strengths
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Finger Dexterity
- Control Precision
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.1 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 4.4 | Standing or moving for most of it |
| Talking face to face | 4.7 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.8 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A certificate or some college 61%
- High school or less 38%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Word processing software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Facilities management software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Data base user interface and query software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 29,420
- Job openings each year
- 2,620
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 12.7%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 29,420 | 2,620 | 12.7% |
| California | 28,700 | 2,440 | 5.1% |
| New York | 18,030 | 120 | 7.2% |
| Florida | 14,680 | 1,290 | 10.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 14,000 | 1,160 | 1.4% |
| Ohio | 13,320 | 1,100 | 1.1% |
| North Carolina | 11,440 | 990 | 7.4% |
| New Jersey | 10,630 | 880 | 1.1% |
| Indiana | 10,620 | 880 | 1.3% |
| Georgia | 10,550 | 940 | 12.8% |
| Illinois | 9,120 | 760 | 1.7% |
| Washington | 8,600 | 840 | 10.7% |
| Michigan | 8,380 | 680 | −1.8% |
| Missouri | 7,730 | 640 | 1.3% |
| Tennessee | 7,440 | 650 | 10.5% |
| Virginia | 7,100 | 590 | 1.6% |
| Minnesota | 6,850 | 580 | 3.6% |
| Wisconsin | 6,230 | 530 | 5.6% |
| Alabama | 5,950 | 510 | 5.1% |
| Arizona | 5,830 | 520 | 14.3% |
| Iowa | 5,520 | 480 | 8.0% |
| Colorado | 5,460 | 480 | 9.6% |
| Oregon | 4,970 | 430 | 7.3% |
| Arkansas | 4,960 | 420 | 2.9% |
| Kentucky | 4,450 | 370 | 2.1% |
| Maryland | 4,150 | 360 | 6.7% |
| Oklahoma | 4,100 | 350 | 3.5% |
| South Carolina | 4,000 | 340 | 3.4% |
| Utah | 3,820 | 340 | 15.1% |
| Connecticut | 3,490 | 300 | 8.0% |
| Kansas | 3,460 | 290 | 2.7% |
| Nebraska | 3,440 | 290 | 6.2% |
| Mississippi | 2,750 | 230 | 3.8% |
| Louisiana | 2,350 | 200 | 2.2% |
| Idaho | 2,180 | 190 | 10.7% |
| Maine | 1,900 | 150 | −4.5% |
| West Virginia | 1,760 | 150 | 5.4% |
| Montana | 1,700 | 150 | 9.0% |
| New Mexico | 1,680 | 150 | 9.8% |
| Nevada | 1,660 | 160 | 27.7% |
| Massachusetts | 1,570 | 130 | 4.0% |
| North Dakota | 1,420 | 130 | 10.9% |
| South Dakota | 1,300 | 110 | 9.2% |
| New Hampshire | 1,120 | 90 | 3.7% |
| Wyoming | 1,090 | 100 | 13.5% |
| Puerto Rico | 1,060 | 90 | 7.1% |
| Alaska | 740 | 70 | 10.4% |
| Vermont | 590 | 50 | 3.5% |
| Delaware | 500 | 40 | 4.2% |
| Rhode Island | 430 | 40 | 7.5% |
| Guam | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Virgin Islands | 50 | 0 | — |
Career to college
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Where to study
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