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.

Median Annual Wage: $43,630

Education: High school diploma or equivalent (40%); Less than high school diploma (30%); Post-secondary certificate (18%)

Projected Growth: Average (8% to 14%)

Related Job Titles: Service Technician; Mechanic; Diesel Mechanic; Bus Mechanic; General Repair Mechanic; Diesel Technician; Trailer Mechanic; Transit Mechanic; Truck Mechanic; Fleet Mechanic

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists.

More Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Careers

  • Inspect brake systems, steering mechanisms, wheel bearings, and other important parts to ensure that they are in proper operating condition.
  • Adjust and reline brakes, align wheels, tighten bolts and screws, and reassemble equipment.
  • Use handtools such as screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, pressure gauges, and precision instruments, as well as power tools such as pneumatic wrenches, lathes, welding equipment, and jacks and hoists.
  • Examine and adjust protective guards, loose bolts, and specified safety devices.
  • Test drive trucks and buses to diagnose malfunctions or to ensure that they are working properly.
  • Perform routine maintenance such as changing oil, checking batteries, and lubricating equipment and machinery.
  • Raise trucks, buses, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks or hoists.
  • Attach test instruments to equipment, and read dials and gauges to diagnose malfunctions.
  • Inspect, test, and listen to defective equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using test instruments such as handheld computers, motor analyzers, chassis charts, and pressure gauges.
  • Inspect and verify dimensions and clearances of parts to ensure conformance to factory specifications.
  • Rebuild gas or diesel engines.
  • Recondition and replace parts, pistons, bearings, gears, and valves.
  • Rewire ignition systems, lights, and instrument panels.
  • Align front ends and suspension systems.
  • Specialize in repairing and maintaining parts of the engine, such as fuel injection systems.
  • Install or repair accessories.
  • Inspect, repair, and maintain automotive and mechanical equipment and machinery such as pumps and compressors.
  • Diagnose and repair vehicle heating and cooling systems.
  • Disassemble and overhaul internal combustion engines, pumps, generators, transmissions, clutches, and differential units.
  • Repair or adjust seats, doors, or windows.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists.

  • Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
  • Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
  • Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Equipment Selection - Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists.

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