Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists Salary in Modesto, CA
In Modesto, CA, bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists earn $73,790 at the median, or about $35.48 an hour. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $96K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 104.11), that's roughly $70,877 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,758/month — about 36.5% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $74K get you in Modesto?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Modesto’s Regional Price Parity (104.11). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Modesto, CA
Entry-level bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $74K. Top earners bring in $96K or more, a $48K spread from bottom to top.
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $79K | +30% | 670 |
| Washington | $77K | +27% | 6,880 |
| Alaska | $73K | +21% | 740 |
| Maryland | $72K | +18% | 3,210 |
| California | $71K | +17% | 21,730 |
| Connecticut | $70K | +16% | 2,370 |
| New Jersey | $69K | +13% | 8,360 |
| Massachusetts | $68K | +11% | 4,660 |
| New York | $67K | +10% | 14,320 |
| New Hampshire | $66K | +8% | 860 |
| District of Columbia | $66K | +8% | 90 |
| Nevada | $65K | +7% | 1,860 |
| Rhode Island | $65K | +7% | 400 |
| Minnesota | $64K | +6% | 6,790 |
| North Dakota | $63K | +5% | 1,540 |
| Utah | $63K | +4% | 2,930 |
| Illinois | $63K | +3% | 9,920 |
| Oregon | $63K | +3% | 4,030 |
| Delaware | $62K | +2% | 640 |
| South Dakota | $61K | +1% | 1,130 |
| Indiana | $61K | +1% | 8,730 |
| Vermont | $61K | +0% | 570 |
| Florida | $60K | -0% | 12,570 |
| Pennsylvania | $60K | -0% | 13,560 |
| Georgia | $60K | -1% | 11,470 |
| Wisconsin | $60K | -1% | 7,170 |
| Missouri | $60K | -1% | 6,520 |
| Wyoming | $60K | -1% | 1,030 |
| Maine | $60K | -1% | 1,590 |
| Ohio | $60K | -2% | 14,170 |
| Michigan | $59K | -2% | 8,330 |
| Arizona | $59K | -2% | 5,430 |
| Tennessee | $59K | -3% | 6,640 |
| Iowa | $59K | -3% | 4,270 |
| Idaho | $59K | -3% | 1,720 |
| Kansas | $59K | -3% | 3,770 |
| Virginia | $59K | -3% | 7,870 |
| Nebraska | $58K | -4% | 3,330 |
| Texas | $58K | -5% | 29,730 |
| Montana | $57K | -6% | 1,110 |
| Louisiana | $55K | -10% | 3,050 |
| North Carolina | $53K | -12% | 10,290 |
| Kentucky | $53K | -13% | 3,920 |
| South Carolina | $52K | -14% | 3,260 |
| New Mexico | $52K | -15% | 1,630 |
| Arkansas | $51K | -15% | 4,580 |
| Oklahoma | $51K | -16% | 3,420 |
| Mississippi | $50K | -17% | 3,010 |
| West Virginia | $49K | -19% | 1,110 |
| Alabama | $49K | -19% | 5,650 |
Showing 1–10 of 50 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Modesto numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists make in Modesto, CA?
The median is $73,790 a year, that works out to about $35 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,610, and experienced bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists can clear $95,610. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $74K enough to live in Modesto?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,775/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,758/month, which eats 36.8% 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 Modesto?
Modesto has a Regional Price Parity of 104.11 (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 $70,877 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.