California Median
$73,950
per year
Hourly Rate
$35.55
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+20% vs US median
US median $61,770
State Rank
#5 of 51
20,940 employed here
How much do Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists make in California?
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists working in California earn a median salary of $73,950 per year, or about $35.55 per hour. That is 20% above the national median of $61,770 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $47,180 while the top 10% make $96,730 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $60,110 and $84,740 a year.
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,180 | $22.68 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $60,110 | $28.90 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $73,950 | $35.55 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $84,740 | $40.74 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,730 | $46.50 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 5th out of 51 states and territories for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists salary in other states
Hawaii $80,080Washington $77,900Alaska $75,580Maryland $74,790Massachusetts $73,270New Jersey $72,340New Hampshire $71,390Colorado $70,480New York $70,100Nevada $68,410Connecticut $67,300Rhode Island $67,270Minnesota $66,840North Dakota $66,110District of Columbia $65,200Utah $64,350Illinois $64,340Oregon $63,970Delaware $63,590Wisconsin $62,450Pennsylvania $61,740Arizona $61,680Wyoming $61,580Michigan $61,420Georgia $61,370Virginia $61,090Maine $60,850Indiana $60,610Florida $60,490Ohio $60,470Montana $59,990Iowa $59,680Kansas $59,460Vermont $59,390Missouri $59,360South Carolina $59,330Idaho $59,230Tennessee $59,190Nebraska $59,140Texas $58,810Louisiana $58,680South Dakota $58,120North Carolina $57,490New Mexico $55,910Kentucky $55,480Oklahoma $55,340Mississippi $54,360Arkansas $52,330Alabama $50,470West Virginia $46,610
Working as Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in California
Nationally, about 290,000 people work as Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($73,950) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists make in California?
The median Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists salary in California is $73,950 per year, or about $35.55 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,180 at the entry level to $96,730 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists about 20% more than the national median of $61,770. California ranks 5th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $73,950 a year. About 20,940 Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists salary report
Related salaries
$84,890
median pay · 7,000 employed
$64,120
median pay · 10,000 employed
$46,860
median pay · 14,000 employed
$82,280
median pay · 19,000 employed
$54,890
median pay · 149,000 employed
$52,000
median pay · 17,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.