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 Impact Summary
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists faces low AI displacement risk with a score of 20/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 6% of all analyzed occupations. Of 26 analyzed tasks, 2 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Google UX Design Professional Certificate
by Google
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
26 tasks analyzed
Inspect brake systems, steering mechanisms, wheel bearings, and other important parts to ensure that they are in proper operating condition.
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.
Adjust and reline brakes, align wheels, tighten bolts and screws, and reassemble equipment.
Examine and adjust protective guards, loose bolts, and specified safety devices.
Perform routine maintenance such as changing oil, checking batteries, and lubricating equipment and machinery.
Test drive trucks and buses to diagnose malfunctions or to ensure that they are working properly.
Raise trucks, buses, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks or hoists.
Attach test instruments to equipment, and read dials and gauges to diagnose malfunctions.
Rebuild gas or diesel engines.
Inspect and verify dimensions and clearances of parts to ensure conformance to factory specifications.
Inspect, test, and listen to defective equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using test instruments such as handheld computers, motor analyzers, chassis charts, or pressure gauges.
Recondition and replace parts, pistons, bearings, gears, and valves.
Rewire ignition systems, lights, and instrument panels.
Follow green operational practices involving conservation of water or energy or reduction of solid waste.
Align front ends and suspension systems.
Specialize in repairing and maintaining parts of the engine, such as fuel injection systems.
Adjust or repair computer controlled exhaust emissions devices.
Inspect, repair, and maintain automotive and mechanical equipment and machinery, such as pumps and compressors.
Install or repair accessories.
Disassemble and overhaul internal combustion engines, pumps, generators, transmissions, clutches, and differential units.
Diagnose and repair vehicle heating and cooling systems.
Repair or adjust seats, doors, or windows.
Measure vehicle emissions to determine whether they are within acceptable limits.
Maintain or repair vehicles with alternative fuel systems, including biodiesel, hybrid, or compressed natural gas vehicles.
Operate valve-grinding machines to grind and reset valves.
Dismount, mount, and repair or replace tires.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inspect brake systems, steering mechanisms, wheel bearings, and other important parts to ensure that they are in proper operating condition. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 5% | |
| 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. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 7% | |
| Adjust and reline brakes, align wheels, tighten bolts and screws, and reassemble equipment. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 6% | |
| Examine and adjust protective guards, loose bolts, and specified safety devices. | 15Estimated | 39.0% | 3% | |
| Perform routine maintenance such as changing oil, checking batteries, and lubricating equipment and machinery. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 6% | |
| Test drive trucks and buses to diagnose malfunctions or to ensure that they are working properly. | 20Estimated | 35.0% | 4% | |
| Raise trucks, buses, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks or hoists. | 10Estimated | 37.0% | 3% | |
| Attach test instruments to equipment, and read dials and gauges to diagnose malfunctions. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 5% | |
| Rebuild gas or diesel engines. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 5% | |
| Inspect and verify dimensions and clearances of parts to ensure conformance to factory specifications. | 33.07Observed | 62.4% | 3% | |
| Inspect, test, and listen to defective equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using test instruments such as handheld computers, motor analyzers, chassis charts, or pressure gauges. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 6% | |
| Recondition and replace parts, pistons, bearings, gears, and valves. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 5% | |
| Rewire ignition systems, lights, and instrument panels. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 4% | |
| Follow green operational practices involving conservation of water or energy or reduction of solid waste. | 72Estimated | 78.0% | 2% | |
| Align front ends and suspension systems. | 20Estimated | 17.0% | 3% | |
| Specialize in repairing and maintaining parts of the engine, such as fuel injection systems. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 4% | |
| Adjust or repair computer controlled exhaust emissions devices. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 3% | |
| Inspect, repair, and maintain automotive and mechanical equipment and machinery, such as pumps and compressors. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 5% | |
| Install or repair accessories. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 3% | |
| Disassemble and overhaul internal combustion engines, pumps, generators, transmissions, clutches, and differential units. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 4% | |
| Diagnose and repair vehicle heating and cooling systems. | 45Estimated | 45.0% | 3% | |
| Repair or adjust seats, doors, or windows. | 15Estimated | 39.0% | 2% | |
| Measure vehicle emissions to determine whether they are within acceptable limits. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 2% | |
| Maintain or repair vehicles with alternative fuel systems, including biodiesel, hybrid, or compressed natural gas vehicles. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 3% | |
| Operate valve-grinding machines to grind and reset valves. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 2% | |
| Dismount, mount, and repair or replace tires. | 15Estimated | 39.0% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 28.7%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$60,640
per year
Mean Wage
$62,480
per year
Employment
287K
workers
Wage Range
$41,670 - $85,980
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
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Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Equipment Maintenance
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change