Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist
Impact: Direct
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines. Includes mechanics working on heavy equipment, such as bulldozers or cranes, and farm equipment.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Moderate
- Team vs solo
- Balanced
- Client facing
- Always
- Impact visibility
- Moderate
- Travel
- Low
- Schedule flexibility
- Rigid
- Remote work
- On-site Only
- Typical work hours
- 40-50
- Stress level
- Moderate
At a glance
- Median salary
- $55,000
- Entry-level
- $40,000
- Senior
- $75,000
- Growth by 2033
- 4%
- Demand
- Stable
- Freelance potential
- Moderate
- Salary growth potential
- 30%
- Typical student debt
- $15,000
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- Diagnostic Software
- Engine Repair
- Welding
Soft skills
- Problem-Solving
- Attention to Detail
- Mechanical Aptitude
Technical complexity: High
How to get there
- Minimum education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Licensing
- Yes
- Years to mid-career
- 5
- Years to senior
- 10
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
Where you can go from here
Typical progression
- Entry-level mechanic to lead mechanic, shop foreman, or service manager.
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- 25%
- AI disruption risk
- Low
- Demand trend
- Stable
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 6.5/10
- Meaning
- 6/10
- Work-life balance
- 5.5/10
- Prestige
- 5.5/10
- Social perception
- Moderate