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Skilled Trades

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.

Median salary (BLS)

$65,510

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$47k – $94k

Job outlook

+6% (faster than average)

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $70,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: No degree (trade/license)

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines

    Entry / Junior

    $46,820

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines

    Established

    $65,510

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines

    Senior

    $79,985

Key skills

A typical day

  • •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.

Fields of study

Any field

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.