What they do
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.
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Also called: |
Bus Mechanic, Diesel Mechanic, Diesel Technician (Diesel Tech), Fleet Mechanic, General Repair Mechanic, Heavy Truck Mechanic, Service Technician, Trailer Mechanic, Transit Mechanic, Truck Mechanic
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Wages
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Vermont - 2023 |
Percentile1 | Hourly | Yearly |
10% |
$ 21.90 |
$45,540 |
25% |
$ 23.26 |
$48,380 |
Median |
$ 27.20 |
$56,580 |
75% |
$ 33.15 |
$68,960 |
90% |
$ 42.60 |
$88,600 |
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Average |
$ 29.02 |
$60,360 |
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More at CareerOneStop |
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Industries of Employment
United States - 2020 |
Industry | Percent of total |
| 20% |
- Merchant wholesalers, durable goods
| 11% |
| 11% |
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals
| 9% |
| 7% |
More at BLS |
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Knowledge
People in this career often know a lot about: |
- Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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- Transportation
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
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- Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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- English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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- 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.
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More at O*NET |
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Skills
People in this career often have these skills: |
- Repairing
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
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- Troubleshooting
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
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- Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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- Equipment Maintenance
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
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- Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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More at O*NET |
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Interests
People in this career often prefer these work environments: |
- Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
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- Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
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What are your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler |
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Work Styles
People in this career will do well at jobs that need: |
- Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
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- Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
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- Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
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- Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
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- Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
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More at O*NET |
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Tasks
On the job, you would: |
- 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.
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- Inspect brake systems, steering mechanisms, wheel bearings, and other important parts to ensure that they are in proper operating condition.
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- Raise trucks, buses, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks or hoists.
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- Adjust and reline brakes, align wheels, tighten bolts and screws, and reassemble equipment.
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- Attach test instruments to equipment, and read dials and gauges to diagnose malfunctions.
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More at O*NET |
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Related Occupations
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Career Video
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Projected Employment
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Vermont |
2020 employment |
595 |
2030 employment |
634 |
Annual percent change (compounded) |
0.6% |
Annual projected job openings (due to change and separations) |
59 |
More at Occupational Projections |
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Education and Experience:
- Typical education needed for entry
High school diploma or equivalent
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- Work experience in a related occupation
None
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- Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
Long-term on-the-job training
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Based on BLS Education and Training Classifications |
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Physical Work Activity
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. |
- Physical activity is Very Important
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- Level of activity is High
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Low | | High |
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Compare Occupations at O*NET |
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Job Zone
Medium Preparation Needed |
- Specific Vocational Preparation Range
(6.0 to < 7.0) - A typical worker will require
over 1 year up to and including 2 years
of training to achieve average performance in this occupation.
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Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP |
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Education Level
How much education do most people in this career have? |
Education level | | Percent of U.S. Workers |
Doctoral or professional degree or post-MA certificate | | 0% |
Master's degree or post-BA certificate | | 0% |
Bachelor's degree | | 0% |
Associate's degree | | 1% |
Certificate or some college, no degree | | 61% |
High school diploma or equivalent | | 37% |
Less than high school diploma | | 1% |
More at O*NET |
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Abilities
People in this career often have talent in: |
- Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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- Arm-Hand Steadiness
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
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- Finger Dexterity
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
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- Manual Dexterity
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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- Control Precision
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
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More at O*NET |
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Work Activities
In general, what you might do: |
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
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- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
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- Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
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- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
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More at O*NET |
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Detailed Work Activities
What you might do in a day: |
- Select tools, equipment, or technologies for use in operations or projects.
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- Inspect mechanical components of vehicles to identify problems.
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- Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
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- Adjust vehicle components according to specifications.
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- Test mechanical equipment to ensure proper functioning.
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More at O*NET |
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Other Resources
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- CareerOneStop
resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
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- O*NET Online
nation's primary source of occupational information
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