Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
Transportation, Distribution & Logistics · Facility and Mobile Equipment Maintenance
Pay and outlook shown for
New workers start near $43,360; experienced workers reach $80,430. About 2,160 people do this job in San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX.
Job outlook
Alamo region (San Antonio and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034; U.S. figures from the BLS.
- Employment change
- +12.9%
- Openings a year
- 240
- Employed in 2024
- 2,464
Typical entry education: High school diploma or equivalent · Training: Long-term on-the-job training
Alamo Colleges programs that lead here
1 program, with the college that teaches each.
Skills this career uses
The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.
- Repairing3.9
- Troubleshooting3.8
- Operations Monitoring3.3
- Equipment Maintenance3.4
- Critical Thinking3.4
- Quality Control Analysis3.3
- Speaking3.0
- Equipment Selection3.0
What the work is
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.
- 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.
- Perform routine maintenance such as changing oil, checking batteries, and lubricating equipment and machinery.
- Adjust and reline brakes, align wheels, tighten bolts and screws, and reassemble equipment.
- Raise trucks, buses, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks or hoists.
- Test drive trucks and buses to diagnose malfunctions or to ensure that they are working properly.
Education people in this job have
Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.
- High school or less38%
- Certificate39%
- Some college22%
- Associate degree1%
Job zone 3, medium preparation: Training, an associate degree, or a few years of related experience.
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