Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists

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.

AI Resistance Index 93 of 99

Among the most resilient careers: more resilient than 93% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is low (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it low), and US jobs are projected to change by +3.6% by 2035, faster than average. The work leans on physical dexterity and ethical judgement.

AI struggles with much of this work, and US employers are expected to hire more people into it than average.

Median pay (2025): $61,770
Job growth to 2035: +3.6%
Openings a year: 24,400
People doing it (2025): 316,000
Usual route in: High school diploma, then long on-the-job training

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Where people already use AI for this work

Adjust equipment to ensure adequate performance
Test performance of equipment or systems
Select materials or equipment for operations or projects

From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).

Work AI rarely helps with

Repair vehicle components
Inspect vehicles
Maintain vehicles in working condition

What the work looks like

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.
Inspect brake systems, steering mechanisms, wheel bearings, and other important parts to ensure that they are in proper operating condition.
Raise trucks, buses, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks or hoists.
Adjust and reline brakes, align wheels, tighten bolts and screws, and reassemble equipment.
Attach test instruments to equipment, and read dials and gauges to diagnose malfunctions.

From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.

What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects

Fewer of these jobs, as courier and delivery service providers upgrade their delivery truck fleets to electric trucks, which require less maintenance and repair services.

Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook

Farm equipment mechanics and service techniciansHuman edge, growing, Index 98, +10.7%
Wind turbine service techniciansHuman edge, growing, Index 99, +29.5%
Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except enginesHuman edge, growing, Index 99, +6.7%
Maintenance and repair workers, generalHuman edge, growing, Index 94, +4.2%

Also known as: Bus Mechanic, Diesel Mechanic, Diesel Technician (Diesel Tech), Truck Mechanic, Fleet Mechanic, General Repair Mechanic, Heavy Truck Mechanic, Service Technician.

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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.