Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists Salary
In Alaska, bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists earn $75,580 at the median, or about $36.34 an hour. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $99K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 104.31), that's roughly $72,457 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,643/month, about 31.3% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Alaska. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $76K get you in Alaska?
About bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
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What this looks like in Alaska
Alaska sits well above the national pay line for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists, local pay runs about 22% higher than the U.S. median of $62K. Rent runs $1,643/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 32% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 104.31) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Alaska
Entry-level bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $76K. Top earners bring in $99K or more, a $47K spread from bottom to top.
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists salary by metro in Alaska
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $74K | -1% | 410 |
| Fairbanks-College | $73K | -3% | 130 |
Compare to other states
Track bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Alaska numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Alaska?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $76K, rent takes 32% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,643/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,500/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists in Alaska?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists typically earn — is $52K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,120/month. At HUD’s $1,643/month FMR, rent would take 53% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialist a high-paying job in Alaska?
Local pay is 22% above the national median — $76K here vs. $62K nationally.
How does Alaska compare to the national average for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists?
Alaska pays $76K median vs. the U.S. average of $62K — that’s +22%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 104.31), the purchasing-power equivalent is $72K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists make in Alaska?
The median is $75,580 a year, that works out to about $36 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,000, and experienced bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists can clear $98,610. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $76K enough to live in Alaska?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,130/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,643/month, which eats 32% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists salary go in Alaska?
Alaska has a Regional Price Parity of 104.31 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists salary is worth about $72,457 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.