How To Become A Heavy Equipment Engine Mechanic: What It Is and Career Path

What is a heavy equipment engine mechanic and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a heavy equipment engine mechanic. For example, did you know that they make an average of $23.19 an hour? That's $48,244 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 8% and produce 17,700 job opportunities across the U.S.

ScoreHeavy Equipment Engine MechanicUS Average

Salary

3.8

Avg. Salary $48,244

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.2

Growth rate 8%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.71%

Asian 1.65%

Black or African American 4.47%

Hispanic or Latino 17.30%

Unknown 3.73%

White 72.13%

Gender

female 10.34%

male 89.66%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress level

8.2

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.5

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.4

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a heavy equipment engine mechanic

Explore heavy equipment engine mechanic education requirements

Most common heavy equipment engine mechanic degrees

High School Diploma

40.0 %

Bachelor's

25.7 %

Associate

25.7 %

Start to develop specific heavy equipment engine mechanic skills

Skills	Percentages
Cranes	30.13%
Electrical Systems	19.93%
Diesel Engines	16.04%
End Loaders	9.18%
Bulldozers	5.75%

Complete relevant heavy equipment engine mechanic training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New heavy equipment engine mechanics learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a heavy equipment engine mechanic based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real heavy equipment engine mechanic resumes.

Research heavy equipment engine mechanic duties and responsibilities

Dismantle and reassemble equipment, using hoists and hand tools.
Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
License to operate a forklift and respirator.
Operate and maintain forklifts, generators MRAP, numerous military vehicles and tractor-trailer combinations.

Prepare your heavy equipment engine mechanic resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your heavy equipment engine mechanic resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a heavy equipment engine mechanic resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable heavy equipment engine mechanic resume templates

Build a professional heavy equipment engine mechanic resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your heavy equipment engine mechanic resume.