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Heavy equipment mechanic: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$65,510median pay per year, or $31.50 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $46,820lowest 10% earn less
  2. $56,97025th percentile
  3. $65,510median
  4. $79,27075th percentile
  5. $94,460top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

A heavy equipment mechanic, which BLS files under mobile heavy equipment mechanics except engines, had a median pay of $65,510 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 6.7% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+6.7%[2]
Openings per year
15,000[5]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[6]

How much do heavy equipment mechanics make?

The median pay for mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines, was $65,510 a year, or $31.50 an hour[1]. Half earned more and half earned less. The average was $69,240 a year, or $33.29 an hour[7]. The median for all occupations in the US was $50,980 a year[4].

Here are the annual percentiles[3]:

Percentile Annual wage Source
10th[3] $46,820
25th[3] $56,970
Median[1] $65,510
75th[3] $79,270
90th[3] $94,460

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $46,820, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $94,460[3]. Hourly, those two points were $22.51 and $45.41[8]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS does not publish a starting salary[9].

The figures cover about 176,600 wage and salary jobs[10]. They leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits[11].

Pay by state and city

Alaska had the highest state median at $82,670, followed by Nevada at $79,860 and Minnesota at $79,370[12]. West Virginia had the lowest median among the 50 states and DC at $56,810[12].

California and Texas each had 20,080 jobs[13], the most of any state[13]. Florida followed with 9,240[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs[14], Fairbanks-College, AK had the highest median at $104,000. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA followed at $95,980, then San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $95,410[14]. The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area had the most jobs at 6,610, with a median of $81,000[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Alaska[12]$82,6701,430
Nevada$79,8602,870
Minnesota$79,3702,890
Hawaii$79,170530
Washington$78,6203,900
California$78,55020,080
Connecticut$78,1901,080
New Jersey$78,1803,520
Massachusetts$76,0701,620
North Dakota$76,0301,720
Oregon$74,7402,650
Wyoming$73,2001,420
Montana$72,5601,330
Colorado$71,8304,060
Illinois$71,3703,470
District of Columbia$70,780130
New Hampshire$68,570660
Maryland$68,2501,800
Rhode Island$68,130260
Delaware$67,010540
South Dakota$66,730830
Michigan$66,6803,860
New York$66,3104,700
Wisconsin$65,4502,090
Nebraska$65,1501,490
Arizona$64,9807,040
Idaho$64,8301,220
Iowa$64,2902,820
Indiana$64,2003,130
North Carolina$64,0805,100
Vermont$64,020350
Virginia$63,9504,340
Pennsylvania$63,8706,870
Alabama$63,8504,640
New Mexico$63,6301,470
Utah$63,5802,230
Florida$63,5509,240
Missouri$63,3903,370
Ohio$63,2006,270
Louisiana$62,2604,270
Texas$61,94020,080
Tennessee$61,8802,600
Maine$61,2801,490
Kansas$60,8901,690
Georgia$60,5606,270
Arkansas$60,5301,190
Kentucky$59,2202,540
South Carolina$59,1802,830
Mississippi$58,1801,690
Oklahoma$58,1302,800
West Virginia$56,8102,110

How to become a heavy equipment mechanic

The training details in this section come from an OOH profile that covers a wider group of occupations than this one[16].

Many employers send new technicians to sessions run by equipment makers[21]. Some manufacturers offer certification in specific repair methods or equipment. It is not required, but it can show competence and usually commands higher pay[22].

In an O*NET survey of 51 workers, 55% said a post-secondary certificate was the education required, and 30% said a high school diploma or equivalent[23].

What heavy equipment mechanics do

Heavy equipment mechanics find faults in and fix or rebuild mobile machines with mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic parts, including cranes, bulldozers and graders, used in construction, logging and mining[24]. Typical tasks include[25]:

OOH names dexterity, mechanical, organizational, troubleshooting and physical strength skills as important[26][27][28][29][30].

Where they work

Many service technicians work indoors in repair shops. Some travel to worksites, because moving heavy equipment to a shop can cost too much. Experienced technicians often specialize in field service, driving equipped trucks, spending time outdoors and often driving long distances[31]. The work involves frequent lifting of heavy parts, greasy equipment and awkward positions[32].

OOH says most of these technicians work full time, many work evenings or weekends, and overtime is common[33]. The largest employer group in 2025 was farm and garden machinery and equipment merchant wholesalers, at 11%[34].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 6.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 180,300 to 192,500 jobs, a gain of 12,100[2]. All occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[35]. These counts include the self-employed, so they differ from the OEWS job count[2].

About 15,000 openings are projected each year on average[5]. Openings include jobs that come open when people retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 2.9% of workers leave the labor force and 4.5% move to another occupation[36].

Is it a good fit?

Pay is above the all-occupations median, and growth is faster than the all-occupations rate[1][4][2][35]. A high school diploma is the typical entry education[6], but training is long. BLS lists long-term on-the-job training, and OOH describes 3 to 4 years of work to become fully qualified[6][19]. The work is physical and often dirty, and overtime is common[32][33].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a heavy equipment mechanic make an hour?
The median was $31.50 an hour and the average was $33.29 in May 2025[1][7].
How long does it take to become a heavy equipment mechanic?
OOH says it usually takes 3 to 4 years of work to become fully qualified[19]. Postsecondary programs may last 1 to 2 years[18].
What education do you need to be a heavy equipment mechanic?
A high school diploma or equivalent is typical[6]. Some employers prefer a postsecondary training program[38].
Is heavy equipment mechanic work in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 6.7% from 2025 to 2035, with about 15,000 openings a year[2][5].
What is the highest paying state for heavy equipment mechanics?
Alaska, with a median of $82,670[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines in the US was $65,510 per year and $31.50 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines is projected to grow 6.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 180,300 to 192,500 jobs (a change of +12,100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines: 10th percentile $46,820, 25th percentile $56,970, 75th percentile $79,270, 90th percentile $94,460. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 15,000 openings for Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines was $69,240 per year and $33.29 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines: 10th percentile $22.51, 25th percentile $27.39, 75th percentile $38.11, 90th percentile $45.41. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 176,600 people were employed as Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines jobs: California 20,080; Texas 20,080; Florida 9,240; Arizona 7,040; Pennsylvania 6,870. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines (areas with at least 100 jobs): Fairbanks-College, AK $104,000; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $95,980; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $95,410; Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $85,300; Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $82,510; Longview-Kelso, WA $82,340; Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $81,290; Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $81,120. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines jobs: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 6,610 (median $81,000); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 5,330 (median $62,410); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 4,620 (median $62,860); Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 4,460 (median $63,440); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 4,380 (median $78,060); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 3,480 (median $60,730). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Heavy Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Service Technicians" covers Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET 49-3042.00 survey of workers (51 respondents), education level they say is required: Post-Secondary Certificate 55%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 30%, Some College Courses 8%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 5% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET description of Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET task list for Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines. O*NET OnLine
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians in 2025: Farm and garden machinery and equipment merchant wholesalers 11%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines: 2.9% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.5% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
  38. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.