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Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipModerate pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, and conveyors, used in construction, logging, and mining.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $65,510 Median per year · $31.50/hr Most earn $46,820–$94,460

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Direct workers who are assembling or disassembling equipment or cleaning parts.
  • Repair and replace damaged or worn parts.
  • Diagnose faults or malfunctions to determine required repairs, using engine diagnostic equipment such as computerized test equipment and calibration devices.
  • Fit bearings to adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment.
  • Adjust, maintain, and repair or replace subassemblies, such as transmissions and crawler heads, using hand tools, jacks, and cranes.
  • Repair, rewire, and troubleshoot electrical systems.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
7% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 15,000 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Rental and leasing services11.6%
  • Other specialty trade contractors8.1%
  • Highway, street, and bridge construction5.2%
  • Commercial and industrial machinery and equipment (except automotive and electronic) repair and maintenance4.9%
  • Local government, excluding education and hospitals4.2%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipExperience before this job: 1 to 2 years

This career usually takes some training after high school, typically a certificate or apprenticeship, plus about 1 to 2 years of hands-on work before you're fully on your own. Many people start as apprentices and grow into the role.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Build a solid base in math, physics, and shop or auto classes so you're ready for technical training.

  2. Heavy equipment or diesel technology certificate

    1-2 years

    A community college, technical school, or equipment dealer program teaches engines, hydraulics, electrical systems, and safety, which prepares you for hands-on repair work.

  3. Apprentice Heavy Equipment Technician

    1-2 years

    You work under experienced mechanics, learning to diagnose and repair real cranes, bulldozers, and graders while building the skills employers look for.

  4. Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanic

    Entry-level once trained

    You now diagnose, adjust, repair, and overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment used in construction, logging, and mining.

Where it can lead

  1. Lead Heavy Equipment Mechanic

    3-5 years of experience first

    You take on more complex repairs, guide newer technicians, and become the go-to person for tough diagnostic problems.

  2. Shop Supervisor

    5+ years of experience first

    You manage a repair shop or service crew, plan work schedules, order parts, and make sure equipment is maintained safely and on time.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take shop, auto, or diesel classesHands-on mechanical courses teach you tools, engines, and hydraulics, which are the foundation of this work.
  • Take math and physicsUnderstanding force, pressure, and measurement helps you troubleshoot hydraulic and mechanical systems.
  • Join a skills or trade clubMany schools have technical or trade student clubs where you can practice skills and sometimes compete, which looks good to future employers.
  • Get a starter job at a garage, farm, or repair shopEven part-time work helping with basic maintenance gives you real experience and a reference for later applications.
  • Visit a career center or talk to a local equipment dealerLearning about training programs and job requirements directly from people in the field helps you plan your next steps.

In college

  • Enroll in a heavy equipment or diesel technology certificate programThis is the most direct training route into the career and teaches the engines, hydraulics, and electrical systems you'll use daily.
  • Take welding and basic electrical coursesWelding and electrical skills are often needed for equipment repair and make you a more flexible hire.
  • Apply for a paid apprenticeshipContractors, mines, and equipment dealers often hire apprentices, so you can earn while you learn on real machines.
  • Get a summer job at a construction site, quarry, or equipment yardWorking around heavy equipment helps you understand how machines are used in the field and what problems they face.
  • Earn safety certifications such as first aid or forklift trainingSafety credentials are valued in heavy equipment work and show employers you take job-site safety seriously.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask your school counselor or a local career center about trade or technical programs, and find out whether any local dealers or contractors offer apprenticeships.
  • Get comfortable with tools and mechanical work now, even at home or on a family vehicle, since hands-on experience is what employers notice first.
  • Keep your driving record clean and be ready for safety training; many employers require it before they let you work on large equipment.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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