Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
Also called: Brake Mechanic, Bulldozer Mechanic, Caterpillar Mechanic, Clutch Mechanic, Construction Equipment Mechanic, Construction Equipment Overhauler, Crane Mechanic, Crane Technician
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, and conveyors, used in construction, logging, and mining.
What mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines do
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Diagnose faults or malfunctions to determine required repairs, using engine diagnostic equipment such as computerized test equipment and calibration devices.
- Examine parts for damage or excessive wear, using micrometers and gauges.
- Weld or solder broken parts and structural members, using electric or gas welders and soldering tools.
- Research, order, and maintain parts inventory for services and repairs.
Typical path into the job (BLS)
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines salary
The median annual wage for mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines is $65,510 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $46,820 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $94,460. The mean annual wage is $69,240.
The mean hourly wage of $33.00 is 4.6× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →
How does your pay compare with people your age?
Your numbers are not sent or stored. The comparison uses this occupation's BLS wage percentiles, adjusted for age with BLS median weekly earnings by age group (Q3 2026).
Pay by percentile
Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.
Projected pay for Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $65,510 → in 3 years $72,300 → in 5 years $77,300 → in 10 years $91,100 (10-year range $78,300–$105,800). The model assumes pay growth of +3.4% per year.
What drives the annual growth rate
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Will AI replace Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines? AI replacement risk
How AI is changing this job
A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.
AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →
Labor demand for Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
Skills, education and requirements for Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
Key skills
O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).
Key knowledge areas
What the work involves
Important abilities
Education of workers
Training before entry
Related work experience
Job Zone 3 — medium preparation needed (O*NET)
Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)
How to become mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.
Career path and how to earn more as mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.