Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, and conveyors, used in construction, logging, and mining.
Also called: Construction Equipment Mechanic · Equipment Mechanic · Equipment Technician · Field Mechanic · Field Service Technician · Field Technician
Median pay (national)
$63,980
$45,450–$92,360 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
180,270
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+5.8%
~16,500 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $92,360 versus $45,450 at the bottom 10% — 2.0x. The median of $63,980 leaves roughly 44% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +5.8% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 16,500 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 53 states with released data, Rhode Island pays the most for this role (median $80,770, +26% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $30,050 — a 169% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Mathematics
- Learning Strategies
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Repair and replace damaged or worn parts.
- Test mechanical products and equipment after repair or assembly to ensure proper performance and compliance with manufacturers' specifications.
- Operate and inspect machines or heavy equipment to diagnose defects.
- Assemble gear systems, and align frames and gears.
- Fabricate needed parts or items from sheet metal.
- Direct workers who are assembling or disassembling equipment or cleaning parts.
- Read and understand operating manuals, blueprints, and technical drawings.
- 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.
- Examine parts for damage or excessive wear, using micrometers and gauges.
Tools & technology
- Database software
- Fleet management software
- Maintenance management software
- Recordkeeping software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics
- Public Safety and Security
- Building and Construction
- English Language
- Transportation