Bus mechanic vs vehicle mechanic

The differences between bus mechanics and vehicle mechanics 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 vehicle mechanic. Additionally, a bus mechanic has an average salary of $47,198, which is higher than the $42,628 average annual salary of a vehicle mechanic.

The top three skills for a bus mechanic include CDL, preventative maintenance and diesel engines. The most important skills for a vehicle mechanic are hand tools, electrical systems, and diesel engines.

Bus mechanic vs vehicle mechanic overview

	Bus Mechanic	Vehicle Mechanic
Yearly salary	$47,198	$42,628
Hourly rate	$22.69	$20.49
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	91,549	37,592
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 37%	High School Diploma, 42%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	2	2

Bus mechanic vs vehicle mechanic salary

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

	Bus Mechanic	Vehicle Mechanic
Average salary	$47,198	$42,628
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $63,000	Between $29,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	Los Angeles, CA	Adelanto, CA
Highest paying state	California	Alaska
Best paying company	SDST Spartans	Google
Best paying industry	Transportation	Manufacturing

Differences between bus mechanic and vehicle mechanic education

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

	Bus Mechanic	Vehicle Mechanic
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 37%	High School Diploma, 42%
Most common major	Automotive Technology	Automotive Technology
Most common college	-	-

Bus mechanic vs vehicle mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between bus mechanics' and vehicle mechanics' demographics:

	Bus Mechanic	Vehicle Mechanic
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 97.1% Female, 2.9%	Male, 91.8% Female, 8.2%
Race ratio	Black 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, 8.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 2.4% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between bus mechanic and vehicle mechanic 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.

Vehicle mechanic example responsibilities.

Experience in the repairs of HMMWV, MTV/LMTV, PLS, and HEMMT classes.
Maintain HEMTT, heat, PLS, LHS, FMTV, MTV, and HMMWV.
Analyze blueprints and FAA technical publications for FAA audits and create innovative ways to manufacture products and save man hours.
Inspect, repair and adjust traders, trenching machines, diesel tractors, pan, scrapers and earth moving bulldozers.
Perform services, troubleshoot, inspect and repair mechanical/electrical and hydraulic systems and subsystems.
Perform automotive diagnosis, routine maintenance, exhaust fabrication and service repairs daily/as need.

Bus mechanic vs vehicle mechanic skills

Common bus mechanic skills

CDL, 28%
Preventative Maintenance, 12%
Diesel Engines, 6%
ASE, 5%
Hand Tools, 5%
DOT, 5%

Common vehicle mechanic skills

Hand Tools, 9%
Electrical Systems, 7%
Diesel Engines, 6%
Troubleshoot, 6%
Shop Safety, 5%
Combat, 5%

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Installation, Maintenance and Repair Industry
Bus Mechanic
Bus Mechanic vs Vehicle Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

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