Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists Salary
In Arkansas, bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists earn $52,330 at the median, or about $25.16 an hour. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $69K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 87.64), which stretches that salary to about $59,710 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,021/month, or 29.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Arkansas. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $52K get you in Arkansas?
About bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
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What this looks like in Arkansas
Pay for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists in Arkansas runs about 15% below the U.S. median of $62K. Rent runs $1,021/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 87.64 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 12% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Arkansas
Entry-level bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $52K. Top earners bring in $69K or more, a $31K spread from bottom to top.
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists salary by metro in Arkansas
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonesboro | $60K | +15% | 230 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | $58K | +11% | 840 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | $57K | +9% | 950 |
| Fort Smith | $52K | +0% | 380 |
| Hot Springs | $52K | +0% | 50 |
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 Arkansas 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 Arkansas?
Yes — at the median salary of $52K, rent takes 29% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,021/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists in Arkansas?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists typically earn — is $39K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,317/month. At HUD’s $1,021/month FMR, rent would take 44% 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 Arkansas?
Local pay runs 15% below the national median — $52K here vs. $62K nationally. Cost of living is 12% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Arkansas compare to the national average for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists?
Arkansas pays $52K median vs. the U.S. average of $62K — that’s -15%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 87.64), the purchasing-power equivalent is $60K — below the national median.
How much do bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists make in Arkansas?
The median is $52,330 a year, that works out to about $25 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,620, and experienced bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists can clear $69,260. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $52K enough to live in Arkansas?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,518/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,021/month, which eats 29% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists salary go in Arkansas?
Arkansas has a Regional Price Parity of 87.64 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists salary is worth about $59,710 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.