Bus mechanic vs wheel alignment mechanic

The differences between bus mechanics and wheel alignment 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 wheel alignment mechanic. Additionally, a bus mechanic has an average salary of $47,198, which is higher than the $41,985 average annual salary of a wheel alignment mechanic.

The top three skills for a bus mechanic include CDL, preventative maintenance and diesel engines. The most important skills for a wheel alignment mechanic are electrical systems, troubleshoot, and preventive maintenance checks.

Bus mechanic vs wheel alignment mechanic overview

	Bus Mechanic	Wheel Alignment Mechanic
Yearly salary	$47,198	$41,985
Hourly rate	$22.69	$20.19
Growth rate	4%	1%
Number of jobs	91,549	34,558
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 37%	High School Diploma, 40%
Average age	42	40
Years of experience	2	2

Bus mechanic vs wheel alignment mechanic salary

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

	Bus Mechanic	Wheel Alignment Mechanic
Average salary	$47,198	$41,985
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $63,000	Between $26,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City	Los Angeles, CA	-
Highest paying state	California	-
Best paying company	SDST Spartans	-
Best paying industry	Transportation	-

Differences between bus mechanic and wheel alignment mechanic education

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

	Bus Mechanic	Wheel Alignment Mechanic
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 37%	High School Diploma, 40%
Most common major	Automotive Technology	Automotive Technology
Most common college	-	-

Bus mechanic vs wheel alignment mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between bus mechanics' and wheel alignment mechanics' demographics:

	Bus Mechanic	Wheel Alignment Mechanic
Average age	42	40
Gender ratio	Male, 97.1% Female, 2.9%	Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7%
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, 10.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 21.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between bus mechanic and wheel alignment 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.

Wheel alignment mechanic example responsibilities.

Service and repair for Porsche, Audi, and Volkswagen automobiles.
Raise trucks, vehicles, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks or hoists.
Work in there fleet department repairing and diagnosis on all emergency apparatuses and ambulances and police vehicles also include maintenance schedules.
Perform maintenance on M113, M88, M1A1, and M578 track vehicles.
Diagnose and repair M113 family of vehicles.
Diagnose electrical, air, hydraulics, and fuel problems on a variety of vehicles such as AVLB and M88 tanks.

Bus mechanic vs wheel alignment mechanic skills

Common bus mechanic skills

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

Common wheel alignment mechanic skills

Electrical Systems, 10%
Troubleshoot, 7%
Preventive Maintenance Checks, 5%
Hydraulic Systems, 5%
Equipment Systems, 5%
Routine Maintenance, 5%

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Bus Mechanic vs Wheel Alignment Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

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