Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

Wages
In 2021, the average annual wage in a Alabama was $46,220 with most people making between $30,280 and $60,800.
Wages by Industry
  • General Freight Trucking $38,860.00
  • Automotive Repair and Maintenance $39,860.00
  • Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Parts and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers $41,850.00
  • Specialized Freight Trucking $38,040.00
  • Automotive Equipment Rental and Leasing $41,900.00
  • Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers $45,180.00
Education Required
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Common Majors
  • Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician
  • Medium/Heavy Vehicle and Truck Technology/Technician
About the job

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.

What you'll do
    • Adjust or repair computer controlled exhaust emissions devices.
    • Diagnose and repair vehicle heating and cooling systems.
    • Disassemble and overhaul internal combustion engines, pumps, generators, transmissions, clutches, and differential units.
    • Follow green operational practices involving conservation of water or energy or reduction of solid waste.
    • Inspect, repair, and maintain automotive and mechanical equipment and machinery such as pumps and compressors.
    • Install or repair accessories.
    • Maintain or repair vehicles with alternative fuel systems, including biodiesel, hybrid, or compressed natural gas vehicles.
    • Measure vehicle emissions to determine whether they are within acceptable limits.
    • Operate valve-grinding machines to grind and reset valves.
    • Repair or adjust seats, doors, or windows.
Things you need to know
    • Mechanical – Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
    • Transportation – Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
    • Customer and Personal Service – Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
    • Public Safety and Security – Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
    • English Language – Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Abilities you'll need to have
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • Equipment Maintenance – Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.