How Much Do Heavy Equipment Mechanics Make?
Heavy Equipment Mechanics diagnose and repair the machinery used in construction, logging, and surface mining. Official pay data from the BLS May 2025 wage survey.
The median heavy equipment mechanic salary is $65,510 per year — 29% above the $50,980 median for all U.S. occupations. About 176,600 people work in this trade nationwide.
Pay by percentile
| Percentile | Annual wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,820 | Entry level / lowest-paid areas |
| 25th | $56,970 | Early career |
| 50th — median | $65,510 | The typical worker |
| 75th | $79,270 | Experienced |
| 90th | $94,460 | Top earners / highest-paid areas |
Lifetime earnings potential
At today's median wage, here is what a career as a heavy equipment mechanic adds up to (in constant 2025 dollars, before raises or promotions — a conservative floor, not a projection):
| Career length | At the median ($65,510/yr) | In the top 10% ($94,460/yr) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 years | $655,100 | $944,600 |
| 20 years | $1,310,200 | $1,889,200 |
| 30 years | $1,965,300 | $2,833,800 |
Reaching the top 10% instead of the median is worth $868,500 over a 30-year career — usually the gap between entry-level work and specialization, licenses, or high-paying states. Compare this trade against any other with the trade comparison tool.
Frequently asked questions
- How much do heavy equipment mechanics make?
- The median annual wage for mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines is $65,510 (BLS OES, May 2025). The middle 50% earn between $56,970 and $79,270.
- What do the top heavy equipment mechanics earn?
- The top 10% of heavy equipment mechanics earn $94,460 or more per year, while the bottom 10% earn $46,820 or less.
- Is $65,510 good pay?
- It is 29% above the median for all U.S. occupations ($50,980, BLS May 2025).