Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair · SOC 49-3042 · O*NET 49-3042.00
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, and conveyors, used in construction, logging, and mining.
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines fall under the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair category in the U.S. occupational classification. Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines earn a median salary of $63,980 per year, ranking in the top 40% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +5.8% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.
What do mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines earn?
The median annual wage for mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines is $63,980. That puts mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines at #328 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $45,450 |
| 25th percentile | $53,500 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $63,980 |
| 75th percentile | $78,090 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,360 |
| Median hourly wage | $30.76/hr |
Is mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines a growing career?
The 10-year outlook for mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines is +5.8%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 188K positions in 2024 to 199K in 2034, a net change of 11K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.
What do mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines do every day?
According to O*NET task surveys of working mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.
- 1.Repair and replace damaged or worn parts.
- 2.Test mechanical products and equipment after repair or assembly to ensure proper performance and compliance with manufacturers' specifications.
- 3.Diagnose faults or malfunctions to determine required repairs, using engine diagnostic equipment such as computerized test equipment and calibration devices.
- 4.Examine parts for damage or excessive wear, using micrometers and gauges.
- 5.Clean, lubricate, and perform other routine maintenance work on equipment and vehicles.
- 6.Fabricate needed parts or items from sheet metal.
- 7.Operate and inspect machines or heavy equipment to diagnose defects.
- 8.Overhaul and test machines or equipment to ensure operating efficiency.
Top skills for mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.
What education does my child need to become mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engine?
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.
Based on O*NET surveys of incumbents — what people in this job actually have, not what employers list as required.
Related careers your child might also consider
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay$100,940 median
- Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$92,560 median
- Signal and Track Switch Repairers$83,600 median
- Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment$82,730 median
- Avionics Technicians$81,390 median
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians$78,680 median
How parents help teens explore careers like this
Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.
Common questions parents ask about mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
What is the median salary for mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines?
The median annual salary for mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines is $63,980 according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Is mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines a growing career?
BLS projects +5.8% growth for mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines from 2024 through 2034, which is average growth projected to grow at roughly the US average.
What education does my child need to become mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engine?
The typical entry path requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.
What careers are similar to mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines?
Related occupations within the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 release.