Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists Salary: How Much Do They Make? (2026)

Median pay, hourly rates, salary ranges, and best-paying states for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists — from official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Official BLS wage data · Unknown vintage
Median Salary
$61,770
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$29.70
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$88,740
entry level starts ~$44,530
Pay Grade
B
solid pay · 290,000 employed

How much do Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists make?

The median pay for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in the United States is $61,770 per year — about $29.70 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $44,530, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $88,740.

That is $380 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists salary range by percentile

Half of all Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists earn between $50,540 and $75,470 a year.

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$44,530$21.41
25th percentile (early career)$50,540$24.30
50th percentile (median)$61,770$29.70
75th percentile (experienced)$75,470$36.28
90th percentile (top earners)$88,740$42.66

Highest-paying states for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Hawaii leads the country for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists pay at $80,080 a year, followed by Washington ($77,900) and Alaska ($75,580). At the other end, West Virginia posts the lowest median at $46,610 — a gap of $33,470 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.

#StateMedian salaryHourlyvs national
1Hawaii$80,080$38.50+30%
2Washington$77,900$37.45+26%
3Alaska$75,580$36.34+22%
4Maryland$74,790$35.96+21%
5California$73,950$35.55+20%

Workforce and education

About 290,000 people work as Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $64,320 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists make in the United States?
The median Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists salary in the United States is $61,770 per year, or about $29.70 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $44,530, while the top 10% of earners make $88,740 or more.
How does Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of B (solid pay), the Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists median of $61,770 is above the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists the most?
Hawaii is the highest-paying state for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists, with a median salary of $80,080 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
What education do Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists need?
For most positions, a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, according to O*NET occupation data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
How many Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists work in the United States?
About 290,000 people were employed as Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.