Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $60,380 -0.4% vs national
Median hourly $29.03
10th percentile $46,800
90th percentile $88,120
Employed locally 80
National median $60,640

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Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
in
Ames, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $46,800
    25th
    $51,670
    50th (median)
    $60,380
    75th
    $80,670
    90th
    $88,120

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists salary vs area income 85% Median Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists salary is 15% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Urban Honolulu, HI $83,980
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $82,500
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $82,450
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $80,850
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $80,820
    Napa, CA $79,580

    Nearby metros — Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $77,100
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $71,080
    California $70,650
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $70,340
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $68,110
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $67,380

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Maintenance and Repair Workers, General $52,370
    Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics $52,460
    Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers $60,980
    First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers $76,340
    Industrial Machinery Mechanics $74,510
    Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines $63,880

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in Ames, IA is $29.03, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $39.73 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists salaries?

    The median Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists salary in Ames, IA is 0.4% below the national median of $60,640. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in Ames?

    Entry-level Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists (10th percentile) earn around $46,800 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $51,670.