SOC 49-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists — San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in San Luis Obispo, CA is $74,620 per year, 20.8% above the national median of $61,770.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in San Luis Obispo, CA is $74,620 per year, 20.8% above the national median of $61,770. Half of workers earn between $59,680 and $82,480. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $47,090 and the ninetieth at $91,320.
Employment stands at 120, or 1.0 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, San Jose records the highest median at $88,980. Of the 361 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 156th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47,090 | −23.8% |
| 25th | $59,680 | −3.4% |
| Median (50th) | $74,620 | +20.8% |
| 75th | $82,480 | +33.5% |
| 90th | $91,320 | +47.8% |
| Mean | $72,260 | +17.0% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $88,980 | 720 | |
| 2 | San Francisco | $82,100 | 1,730 | |
| 3 | Napa | $78,070 | 60 | |
| 4 | Los Angeles | $77,380 | 6,520 | |
| 5 | Modesto | $76,640 | 420 | |
| 6 | Santa Cruz | $75,670 | 90 | |
| 7 | Vallejo | $75,500 | 200 | |
| 8 | San Diego | $75,070 | 1,430 | |
| 9 | Oxnard | $74,730 | 350 | |
| 10 | Sacramento | $72,660 | 1,190 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in San Luis Obispo run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $74,620 buys what $67,407 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 9.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$74,620as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$67,407US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $74,620 a year, 20.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $47,090 to $91,320 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 120 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Jose, at $88,980.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in San Luis Obispo, CA?
The median annual wage is $74,620, or $35.88 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $61,770, so pay in San Luis Obispo, CA is 20.8% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in San Luis Obispo, CA earns more than $91,320 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $47,090 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in San Jose, at $88,980 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 120 jobs in this occupation in San Luis Obispo, CA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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