Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
SOC 49-3031 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists is $58,970, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $59,920, and an estimated 285,030 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +17.5% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -0.2% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will grow 2.4% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $58,970 | $58,970 | 285,030 |
| 2022 | $54,360 | $56,598 | 271,720 |
| 2021 | $48,690 | $54,751 | 261,420 |
| 2020 | $50,200 | $59,101 | 253,010 |
Nominal change
+17.5%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-0.2%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+2.4%
About average
Employment 2024
319,900
Projected 2034
327,700
Annual Openings
26,500
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $58,970. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $72,080 | +22.2% | 17,920 |
| West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $69,420 | +17.7% | 470 |
| California | $68,970 | +17% | 26,370 |
| Washington | $66,560 | +12.9% | 6,590 |
| Hawaii | $66,520 | +12.8% | 770 |
| Massachusetts | $65,220 | +10.6% | 3,750 |
| Alaska | $65,180 | +10.5% | 600 |
| Connecticut | $64,460 | +9.3% | 2,800 |
| Maryland | $64,440 | +9.3% | 3,720 |
| Western Washington nonmetropolitan area | $64,310 | +9.1% | 320 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$39,020
25th Pct
$47,730
Median
$58,970
75th Pct
$70,470
90th Pct
$82,430
Related Occupations in Installation, Maintenance & Repair
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.