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Heavy Equipment Technology

80 schools compared · Average earnings $51,528/yr

What Heavy Equipment Technology Graduates Do

Your career will be built on keeping the world moving. One day you might be on a factory floor, diagnosing a malfunctioning robotic arm with a laptop and precision tools; the next, you could be in the field, troubleshooting the hydraulics on a massive excavator. As an industrial machinery or mobile heavy equipment mechanic, you'll be the expert who gets critical, multi-ton machines back online.

Your path typically begins as an apprentice, learning the trade alongside experienced mechanics and earning a solid wage that grows as you achieve journeyman status. This is complex, physical problem-solving that can't be outsourced or automated. As you gain experience, you can specialize in high-demand, high-earning fields. Think of becoming a wind turbine technician, a role with explosive growth, or an elevator and escalator repairer, where top professionals command six-figure salaries. With strong overall demand, your skills will remain critical, opening doors to becoming a senior specialist, a crew supervisor, or even owning your own repair service.

Schools Offering

Avg Grad Earnings

$51,528/yr

Avg TradeSchoolOutlook Score

56/100

AI-Proof Rating

AI-Proof

86% of tasks AI-shielded

Apprenticeship Paths

View pathways ↓

Registered Apprenticeship Pathways

The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 67 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Heavy Equipment Technology. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.

Apprenticeship	Training Hours	Type	Salary RangeSalary	Growth
Accessibility And Private Residence Lift Technician RAPIDS 2020	4200 hrs ~2.1 yrs	Time	$77K – $106,580 – $132K	5.0%
Auto Maintenance-Equipment Servicer RAPIDS 27	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Automated Equipment Engineer-Tech RAPIDS 821	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$55K – $65,170 – $81K	0.0%
Aviation Support Equipment Repairer RAPIDS 599	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Bakery-Machine Mechanic RAPIDS 29	6000 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Canal Equipment Mechanic RAPIDS 790	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Car Repairer (Railroad Equipment) RAPIDS 642	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$52K – $65,680 – $80K	2.8%
Construction Equipment Mechanic RAPIDS 336	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$54K – $63,980 – $78K	5.8%
Conveyor Maintenance Mechanic RAPIDS 66	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Crane Mechanic (Existing Title: Mechanic, Industrial Truck) (Military Only) RAPIDS 0153R	5920 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$54K – $63,980 – $78K	5.8%
Elect-Prod-Line-Maint-Mechanic RAPIDS 171	2000 hrs ~1.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Electric Meter Installer I RAPIDS 330	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $74,690 – $97K	1.3%
Electric Meter Repairer RAPIDS 151	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $74,690 – $97K	1.3%
Elevator Constructor (Alternate Title: Elevator Constructor Mechanic) RAPIDS 173	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$77K – $106,580 – $132K	5.0%
Elevator Repairer RAPIDS 174	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$77K – $106,580 – $132K	5.0%
Forge-Shop-Machine Repairer RAPIDS 203	6000 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Fuel System Maint Worker RAPIDS 610	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Gas Utility Worker RAPIDS 594	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $74,690 – $97K	1.3%
Gas-Meter Mechanic I RAPIDS 331	6000 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $74,690 – $97K	1.3%
Gas-Regulator Repairer RAPIDS 232	6000 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $74,690 – $97K	1.3%
Hydraulic Press Service (Ordn) RAPIDS 783	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Hydraulic Repairer RAPIDS 651	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Hydroelectric-Machinery Mechanic RAPIDS 237	6000 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Industrial Machinist System Technician RAPIDS 1037	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Industrial Maintenance Mechanic (Existing Title: Maintenance Mechanic) RAPIDS 0308HY	5200-8000 hrs	Hybrid	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Industrial Maintenance Mechanic (Existing Title: Maintenance Mechanic) RAPIDS 0308CB	Competency	Competency	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Laundry-Machine Mechanic RAPIDS 691	6000 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Logging-Equipment Mechanic RAPIDS 299	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$54K – $63,980 – $78K	5.8%
Machine Erector RAPIDS 293	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$55K – $65,170 – $81K	0.0%
Machine Fixer (Carpet & Rug) RAPIDS 302	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Machine Repairer RAPIDS **0292R	7328 hrs ~3.7 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Machine Repairer, Maintenance RAPIDS 292	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Machinist, Linotype RAPIDS 297	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Maint Mechanic (Any Ind) (Alternate Title: Industrial Maintenance Mechanic) RAPIDS 308	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Maint Mechanic (Grain & Feed) RAPIDS 307	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Maintenance Mech, Compgas RAPIDS 20	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Marine Machinery Mechanic (Existing Title: Machine Repairer, Maintenance) (Military Only) RAPIDS 0292R	5920 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Mechanic, Endless Track Veh RAPIDS 319	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$54K – $63,980 – $78K	5.8%
Mechanical-Unit Repairer RAPIDS 337	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$52K – $65,680 – $80K	2.8%
Meter Repairer (Any Ind) RAPIDS 332	6000 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $74,690 – $97K	1.3%
Millwright RAPIDS 335	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$55K – $65,170 – $81K	0.0%
Millwright RAPIDS **0335R	7328 hrs ~3.7 yrs	Time	$55K – $65,170 – $81K	0.0%
Millwright RAPIDS 0335HY	5200-8000 hrs	Hybrid	$55K – $65,170 – $81K	0.0%
Mine-Car Repairer RAPIDS 350	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$52K – $65,680 – $80K	2.8%
Overhauler (Textile) RAPIDS 384	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Pinsetter Adjuster, Automatic RAPIDS 387	6000 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Pinsetter Mech, Automatic RAPIDS 985	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$49K – $60,500 – $72K	-2.8%
Pneumatic Tool Repairer RAPIDS 434	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Pneumatic Tube Repairer RAPIDS 435	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Powerhouse Mechanic RAPIDS 443	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Production Machinery Mechanic (Existing Title: Machine Repairer) (Military Only) RAPIDS 0292R	5920 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Pump Erector (Const) RAPIDS 419	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Pump Servicer RAPIDS 933	6000 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Repairer I (Chem) RAPIDS 674	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Repairer, Welding Equipment RAPIDS 422	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Repairer, Welding Sys & Eq RAPIDS 1005	6000 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Rubberizing Mechanic RAPIDS 485	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Scale Mechanic RAPIDS 497	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Sewing Machine Repairer RAPIDS 508	6000 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Sewing Machine Repairer RAPIDS **0508R	7328 hrs ~3.7 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Stoker Erector & Servicer RAPIDS 467	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Transit Elevator-Escalator Maintenance Tech RAPIDS 0174HY	2000-2400 hrs	Hybrid	$77K – $106,580 – $132K	5.0%
Transit Elevator-Escalator Maintenance Tech RAPIDS 0174R	6399 hrs ~3.2 yrs	Time	$77K – $106,580 – $132K	5.0%
Transit Rail Vehicle Maintenance Technician RAPIDS 0642R-HY	5400-7000 hrs	Hybrid	$52K – $65,680 – $80K	2.8%
Treatment Plant Mechanic RAPIDS 847	6000 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$53K – $63,760 – $78K	16.1%
Wind Turbine Technician RAPIDS 2000CB	CB hrs	Competency	$59K – $62,580 – $76K	49.9%
Wind Turbine Technician RAPIDS 2000HY	4000-6000 hrs	Hybrid	$59K – $62,580 – $76K	49.9%

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.

Best Schools for Heavy Equipment Technology

Top 20 of 80 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and AI-proof analysis.

#	School	Score	EarningsEarn	ROI
1	Gateway Community and Technical College Florence, KY	76 75–76	$69,378/yr	148.0x
2	Montcalm Community College Sidney, MI	75 74–75	$66,358/yr	135.5x
3	Bluegrass Community and Technical College Lexington, KY	75 74–75	$65,743/yr	138.7x
4	Laramie County Community College Cheyenne, WY	74 73–75	$64,226/yr	138.2x
5	Rend Lake College Ina, IL	74 73–74	$61,677/yr	136.1x
6	Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College Bowling Green, KY	74 73–74	$61,026/yr	130.1x
7	Georgia Northwestern Technical College Rome, GA	73 71–73	$62,982/yr	115.2x
8	Elizabethtown Community and Technical College Elizabethtown, KY	73 72–73	$59,458/yr	126.7x
9	Jefferson Community and Technical College Louisville, KY	73 72–73	$59,047/yr	124.5x
10	Chattanooga State Community College Chattanooga, TN	73 71–73	$54,588/yr	146.8x
11	Itawamba Community College Fulton, MS	72 71–72	$64,343/yr	93.1x
12	Owensboro Community and Technical College Owensboro, KY	72 71–72	$56,300/yr	119.9x
13	Somerset Community College Somerset, KY	72 71–72	$55,793/yr	118.8x
14	Northwood Technical College Rice Lake, WI	72 71–72	$55,793/yr	122.3x
15	Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire, WI	72 69–72	$49,667/yr	138.4x
16	College of Western Idaho Nampa, ID	72 70–73	$48,524/yr	184.5x
17	Elizabethtown Community and Technical College Elizabethtown, KY	71 69–72	$65,535/yr	87.9x
18	South Georgia Technical College Americus, GA	71 66–71	$53,379/yr	107.8x
19	Athens Technical College Athens, GA	71 70–71	$47,206/yr	151.0x
20	Bluegrass Community and Technical College Lexington, KY	70 68–70	$64,355/yr	78.5x
21	Minnesota North College Hibbing, MN	70 66–71	$47,380/yr	124.9x
22	Western Technical College La Crosse, WI	70 68–71	$46,591/yr	133.9x
23	Gateway Community and Technical College Florence, KY	69 69–69	$66,827/yr	70.8x
24	Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire, WI	68 67–68	$62,438/yr	65.1x
25	Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College Bowling Green, KY	68 66–68	$58,717/yr	72.7x
26	Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology Okmulgee, OK	67 67–67	$68,422/yr	58.3x
27	Dakota County Technical College Rosemount, MN	67 66–67	$67,618/yr	58.7x
28	Jefferson Community and Technical College Louisville, KY	67 67–67	$60,878/yr	63.7x
29	Somerset Community College Somerset, KY	67 66–67	$57,318/yr	68.5x
30	Maysville Community and Technical College Maysville, KY	67 66–67	$44,198/yr	93.9x
31	Southeastern Technical College Vidalia, GA	66 65–66	$38,527/yr	120.5x
32	Maysville Community and Technical College Maysville, KY	64 64–64	$53,655/yr	56.6x
33	Owensboro Community and Technical College Owensboro, KY	64 63–64	$52,193/yr	55.0x
34	York Technical College Rock Hill, SC	64 62–64	$51,920/yr	56.7x
35	Ranken Technical College Saint Louis, MO	63 63–63	$70,010/yr	38.8x
36	State Technical College of Missouri Linn, MO	61 59–61	$55,282/yr	42.4x
37	Gadsden State Community College Gadsden, AL	61 56–62	$37,595/yr	87.8x
38	Warren County Career Center Lebanon, OH	60 59–60	$70,305/yr	—
39	Northeast Mississippi Community College Booneville, MS	59 60–59	$45,147/yr	48.5x
40	Lincoln College of Technology-Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN	58 57–59	$60,052/yr	—
41	Lincoln College of Technology-Nashville Nashville, TN	58 57–59	$60,052/yr	—
42	Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro Murfreesboro, TN	58 56–58	$57,632/yr	—
43	San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia Visalia, CA	58 56–58	$55,314/yr	—
44	San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield Bakersfield, CA	58 56–58	$55,314/yr	—
45	San Joaquin Valley College-Fresno Fresno, CA	58 56–58	$55,314/yr	—
46	San Joaquin Valley College-Trades Education Center Fresno, CA	58 56–58	$55,314/yr	—
47	San Joaquin Valley College-Ontario Ontario, CA	58 56–58	$55,314/yr	—
48	San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto Salida, CA	58 56–58	$55,314/yr	—
49	Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI	57 54–57	$55,532/yr	27.2x
50	Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson Dickson, TN	57 56–58	$54,320/yr	—
51	Tennessee College of Applied Technology-McMinnville McMinnville, TN	57 56–57	$53,760/yr	—
52	Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest Newbern, TN	57 55–57	$53,226/yr	—
53	Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville Shelbyville, TN	57 55–57	$52,115/yr	—
54	Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville Knoxville, TN	56 55–57	$50,524/yr	—
55	Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hartsville Hartsville, TN	56 54–56	$49,247/yr	—
56	Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PA	55 52–55	$56,365/yr	19.0x
57	University of Arkansas at Monticello Monticello, AR	55 55–55	$49,589/yr	27.0x
58	Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crossville Crossville, TN	55 53–55	$45,617/yr	—
59	MIAT College of Technology Canton, MI	55 53–56	$44,800/yr	33.0x
60	Tri-Rivers Career Center Marion, OH	55 53–55	$44,597/yr	—
61	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred Alfred, NY	54 53–54	$45,160/yr	27.7x
62	Tennessee College of Applied Technology-McKenzie McKenzie, TN	54 52–54	$42,316/yr	—
63	Minnesota North College Hibbing, MN	54 49–54	$34,396/yr	52.1x
64	Ranken Technical College Saint Louis, MO	53 51–53	$52,300/yr	16.2x
65	Lincoln College of Technology-Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN	53 52–54	$42,213/yr	—
66	Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield South Plainfield, NJ	53 52–54	$42,213/yr	—
67	Lincoln College of Technology-Nashville Nashville, TN	53 52–54	$42,213/yr	—
68	Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Morristown Morristown, TN	53 51–53	$40,356/yr	—
69	Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Pulaski Pulaski, TN	52 51–53	$40,146/yr	—
70	Career and Technology Education Centers of Licking County Newark, OH	52 51–52	$39,690/yr	—
71	MIAT College of Technology Canton, MI	51 49–51	$45,563/yr	16.5x
72	New Castle School of Trades New Castle, PA	51 50–52	$38,321/yr	—
73	Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens Athens, TN	51 50–52	$38,093/yr	—
74	Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN	50 48–50	$35,968/yr	—
75	Miller-Motte College-McCann-Allentown Allentown, PA	50 48–50	$35,968/yr	—
76	Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton Elizabethton, TN	49 47–49	$34,205/yr	—
77	North American Trade Schools Baltimore, MD	49 47–49	$34,004/yr	—
78	Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology Pleasant Gap, PA	49 47–49	$33,506/yr	—
79	Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hohenwald Hohenwald, TN	43 41–43	$26,135/yr	—
80	Philadelphia Technician Training Philadelphia, PA	39 37–39	$19,794/yr	—

Highest Earning Heavy Equipment Technology Programs

Schools where Heavy Equipment Technology graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.

School	1-Year Earnings	Score
Warren County Career Center	$70,305/yr	60
Ranken Technical College	$70,010/yr	63
Gateway Community and Technical College	$69,378/yr	76
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology	$68,422/yr	67
Dakota County Technical College	$67,618/yr	67
Gateway Community and Technical College	$66,827/yr	69
Montcalm Community College	$66,358/yr	75
Bluegrass Community and Technical College	$65,743/yr	75
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College	$65,535/yr	71
Bluegrass Community and Technical College	$64,355/yr	70

Best ROI for Heavy Equipment Technology

Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Heavy Equipment Technology.

School	ROI Multiple	Earnings	Score
College of Western Idaho	184.5x	$48,524/yr	72
Athens Technical College	151.0x	$47,206/yr	71
Gateway Community and Technical College	148.0x	$69,378/yr	76
Chattanooga State Community College	146.8x	$54,588/yr	73
Bluegrass Community and Technical College	138.7x	$65,743/yr	75
Chippewa Valley Technical College	138.4x	$49,667/yr	72
Laramie County Community College	138.2x	$64,226/yr	74
Rend Lake College	136.1x	$61,677/yr	74
Montcalm Community College	135.5x	$66,358/yr	75
Western Technical College	133.9x	$46,591/yr	70

Related Majors

Explore similar fields of study.

Considering a 4-Year Degree?

Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Heavy Equipment Technology degree programs stack up on earnings, AI disruption risk, and ROI.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Heavy Equipment Technology graduates earn?

First-year earnings for Heavy Equipment Technology graduates average $51,528 annually, based on data from 80 programs. The range spans $19,794 at the low end to $70,305 at the top.

How AI-proof is a career in Heavy Equipment Technology?

Our analysis rates Heavy Equipment Technology as "AI-Proof" for automation risk. With 86% of tasks requiring physical presence or manual skill, the vast majority of the work in this trade remains beyond AI's reach.

Where should I study Heavy Equipment Technology?

Based on the TradeSchoolOutlook Score (combining earnings, AI resilience, job market size, and ROI), Gateway Community and Technical College ranks #1 for Heavy Equipment Technology with a score of 76/100 and graduate earnings of $69,378/yr.

What's the ROI on a Heavy Equipment Technology program?

On average, Heavy Equipment Technology graduates earn 88.6x their in-state tuition over 10 years. This is a strong return on investment.

Data from College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034, DOL RAPIDS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →