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Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists vs Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics: what changes?

Consider Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists if you want to diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines. Consider Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics if you would rather diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul small engines used to power lawn mowers, chain saws, recreational sporting equipment, and related equipment. Both list high school diploma or equivalent; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists and Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences
What this means in practice

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Start with earnings, the route into the job, training, available openings, and a day-to-day reality.

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

National median pay (2025)
$61,770
Route into the job
High school diploma or equivalent; More than 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing
Prior related experience
No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing
More than 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing.
Work to investigate
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.
Annual openings (2025–2035)
24,400
Know before you choose

The work can involve real occupational hazards. Training, protective equipment, and routine safety discipline matter every day.

See the full Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists brief

Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

National median pay (2025)
$47,880
Route into the job
High school diploma or equivalent; More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing
Prior related experience
No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing
More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing.
Work to investigate
Record repairs made, time spent, and parts used.
Annual openings (2025–2035)
3,800
Know before you choose

The work can involve real occupational hazards. Training, protective equipment, and routine safety discipline matter every day.

See the full Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics brief
See scores, detailed data, and how the comparison works

How the national numbers differ

1

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists has the edge on annual openings

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists is at 24,400 annual openings, compared with 3,800 annual openings for Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics.

2

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists has the edge on median pay

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists is at $61,770, compared with $47,880 for Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics.

3

Typical preparation differs.

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists: High school diploma or equivalent; More than 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics: High school diploma or equivalent; More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing Preparation categories do not establish admission difficulty, calendar time, tuition, time without earnings, or licensing difficulty.

4

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists has the edge on projected growth

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists is at 3.6% projected growth, compared with 2.3% projected growth for Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics.

61.2/ 100

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

vs
44.6/ 100

Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists vs Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

DimensionBus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine SpecialistsOutdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics
Median pay (2025)$61,770$47,880
Pay percentile50.8 percentile26 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)3.6%2.3%
Annual openings (2025–2035)24,4003,800
2025 employment316,00038,300
How you qualifyHigh school diploma or equivalent; More than 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensingHigh school diploma or equivalent; More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing
O*NET preparation groupJob Zone 3Job Zone 2
Related work experienceNo prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job trainingMore than 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing.More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.