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Bus mechanic vs shop technician

The differences between bus mechanics and shop technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a bus mechanic and a shop technician. Additionally, a bus mechanic has an average salary of $47,198, which is higher than the $36,798 average annual salary of a shop technician.

The top three skills for a bus mechanic include CDL, preventative maintenance and diesel engines. The most important skills for a shop technician are preventative maintenance, routine maintenance, and diagnosis.

Bus mechanic vs shop technician overview

Bus MechanicShop Technician
Yearly salary$47,198$36,798
Hourly rate$22.69$17.69
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs91,549150,349
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 37%High School Diploma, 30%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Bus mechanic vs shop technician salary

Bus mechanics and shop technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Bus MechanicShop Technician
Average salary$47,198$36,798
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $63,000Between $25,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CityLos Angeles, CASan Leandro, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaAlaska
Best paying companySDST SpartansLos Alamos National Laboratory
Best paying industryTransportationEnergy

Differences between bus mechanic and shop technician education

There are a few differences between a bus mechanic and a shop technician in terms of educational background:

Bus MechanicShop Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 37%High School Diploma, 30%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Bus mechanic vs shop technician demographics

Here are the differences between bus mechanics' and shop technicians' demographics:

Bus MechanicShop Technician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 97.1% Female, 2.9%Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 2.4% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 2.4% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between bus mechanic and shop technician duties and responsibilities

Bus mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Accomplish several other kenworth basic training modules.Skills UsedProblem solving, mechanical aptitude, and efficient workmanship.
  • Perform all electrical and HVAC repairs.
  • Obtain ASE for school bus body and specialty equipment.
  • Raise buses, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks and hoists.
  • Perform p.m. services, brake jobs, a/c work, electrical and computer diagnostics.
  • Repair of buses with hydraulics and maintain facilities lifts, HVAC, air systems and grounds.
  • Show more

Shop technician example responsibilities.

  • Work with a recording POS sheets to be transfer to companies expenses.
  • Maintain cleanliness of shop to promote organization which contribute to safety for other employees.
  • Contribute to the overall cleanliness of the fabrication lab by sweeping, cleaning machinery and arranging scrap materials.
  • Assist management with inventory, receiving, POS, window and screen repairs and to assemble power equipment.
  • Shop technician and foreman responsible for timely repair and diagnosis of medium to large heavy duty diesel trucks and equipment.
  • Diagnose, adjust, repair, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, and conveyors used in shop.
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Bus mechanic vs shop technician skills

Common bus mechanic skills
  • CDL, 28%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 12%
  • Diesel Engines, 6%
  • ASE, 5%
  • Hand Tools, 5%
  • DOT, 5%
Common shop technician skills
  • Preventative Maintenance, 12%
  • Routine Maintenance, 9%
  • Diagnosis, 7%
  • Cranes, 7%
  • Electrical Systems, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%

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