Occupation salary profile

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines

SOC 49-3042 BLS OEWS May 2025

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, and conveyors, used in construction, logging, and mining. Excludes “Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists” (49-3031) and “Rail Car Repairers” (49-3043).

National median · BLS
$65,510
▲ +2.39% YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$69,240
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
176,600
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines

Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.

Percentile All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay$46,820
25th$56,970
Median (50th)$65,510
75th$79,270
90th — top pay$94,460

Hourly ⇄ annual pay

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Based on hrs/week × weeks/year = 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035

Job outlook for Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines

BLS projects employment of mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines to grow 6.7% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 15,000 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.

Jobs 2025 → 2035
180,300 → 192,500
+12,100 jobs
Projected change
+6.7%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
15,000
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Long-term on-the-job training
Self-employed
1.8% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 3)
Medium Preparation Needed. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Fastest-growing jobs → Best-paying jobs that need a high school diploma →

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035 · BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook →

Skills & tools

Skills needed for Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines

How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.

Top skills
  • Repairing4.1
  • Troubleshooting4.1
  • Equipment Maintenance4.0
  • Operations Monitoring3.8
  • Operation and Control3.6
  • Equipment Selection3.4
  • Quality Control Analysis3.4
  • Critical Thinking3.3
  • Complex Problem Solving3.1
  • Judgment and Decision Making3.1
Top knowledge areas
  • Mechanical4.8
  • Customer and Personal Service3.3
  • Mathematics3.3
  • Computers and Electronics3.1
  • Public Safety and Security3.0
  • Building and Construction3.0
  • English Language3.0
  • Transportation2.6
Software and technology used
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordDatabase softwareFleet management softwareMaintenance management softwareRecordkeeping software

Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).

Source: 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.

About the job

What mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines do

  • 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.
  • Repair, rewire, and troubleshoot electrical systems.
Also called
Equipment MechanicHeavy Equipment MechanicHeavy Equipment TechnicianMechanicConstruction Equipment MechanicEquipment TechnicianField MechanicField Service TechnicianField TechnicianMobile Heavy Equipment Mechanic
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Brake MechanicBulldozer MechanicCaterpillar MechanicClutch MechanicConstruction Equipment OverhaulerCrane MechanicCrane TechnicianDinkey Engine MechanicDinkey MechanicDragline MechanicDredge MechanicDrop Hammer MechanicEndless Track Vehicle MechanicEquipment Mechanic SpecialistFork Lift MechanicForklift MechanicForklift TechnicianGarage Construction Equipment MechanicGround Support Equipment MechanicHeavy Duty Diesel MechanicHeavy Duty MechanicHeavy Duty Truck MechanicHeavy Equipment Diesel MechanicHeavy Equipment Field MechanicHeavy Equipment Field Service Tech (Heavy Equipment Field Service Technician)Heavy Equipment Field Tech (Heavy Equipment Field Technician)Heavy Equipment Service Technician (Heavy Equipment Service Tech)Heavy Equipment Shop Tech (Heavy Equipment Shop Technician)Heavy Mobile Equipment RepairerHoist MechanicHydraulic Auto Jack MechanicHydraulic Jack MechanicHydraulic MechanicHydraulic Technician (Hydraulic Tech)Hydro MechanicLift Truck MechanicLink Trainer MechanicLogging Equipment MechanicMachine OverhaulerMachinery MechanicMaintenance MechanicMaster MechanicMobile Equipment MechanicMobile Equipment RepairerMobile MechanicOverhead Crane Service Tech (Overhead Crane Service Technician)Power Shovel MechanicRigging Loft MechanicShop Technician (Shop Tech)Shovel MechanicSki Lift MechanicTrack Vehicle RepairerTruck MechanicTrucksmith

Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.