Career Overview
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 Known As
- Equipment Mechanic
- Heavy Equipment Mechanic
- Heavy Equipment Technician
- Mechanic
Alternate Job Titles
- Brake Mechanic
- Bulldozer Mechanic
- Caterpillar Mechanic
- Clutch Mechanic
- Construction Equipment Mechanic
- Construction Equipment Overhauler
- Crane Mechanic
- Crane Technician
- Dinkey Engine Mechanic
- Dinkey Mechanic
- Dragline Mechanic
- Dredge Mechanic
- Drop Hammer Mechanic
- Endless Track Vehicle Mechanic
- Equipment Mechanic
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
- Read and understand operating manuals, blueprints, and technical drawings.
- Dismantle and reassemble heavy equipment using hoists and hand tools.
- Overhaul and test machines or equipment to ensure operating efficiency.
- Adjust, maintain, and repair or replace subassemblies, such as transmissions and crawler heads, using hand tools, jacks, and cranes.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Mechanical
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Troubleshooting
- Repairing
- Equipment Maintenance
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Control Precision
- Manual Dexterity
- Extent Flexibility
- Finger Dexterity
- Near Vision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Multilimb Coordination
- Visualization
- Deductive Reasoning
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
- Perseverance
- Integrity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Relationships
- Independence
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Adjustable monkey wrenches
- Adjustable widemouth pliers
- Adjustable wrenches
- Air compressors
- Allen wrenches
- Ammeters
- Awls
- Ball peen hammers
- Battery chargers
- Bolt cutters
- Boring bars
- Brake bleeder wrenches
- Brass drifts
- Brazing equipment
- Breaker bars
Work Environment
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Exposed to Contaminants
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $45,450 |
| Median | $63,980 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $92,360 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 180,270
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $63,760
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $60,640
Maintenance Workers, Machinery
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $60,500
Rail Car Repairers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $65,680
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $53,990
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.