by our College Data Analytics TeamAlthough we don't always see the large machinery that operates factories or businesses it provides a critical function. These machines help manufacture materials, maintain electric systems, and regulate power. Technicians work around the clock to fix and maintain broken machinery. A major in Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance will equip students with the technical knowledge and skills required to repair and maintain this heavy equipment.
While studying this major you will be taking courses in blueprint reading, computer programming, hydraulics, mechanical drawing, and electronics. This major is commonly offered as a certificate; however it can be obtained as an Associate's degree.
A major in Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance involves the study of Heavy/industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/technicians. Read on to learn the important information every heavy/industrial equipment maintenance student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering heavy/industrial equipment maintenance programs.
In the U.S., heavy/industrial equipment maintenance is a popular field of study, with 8,925 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Schools ranking analyzes these 293 schools to determine the best overall colleges for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of heavy/industrial equipment maintenance programs later in this article.
Studies in Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations heavy/industrial equipment maintenance graduates commonly enter.
This is a great major for students who love to learn how things work. You will be presented with a variety of different machinery including cranes, pumps, pneumatic tools, conveyor systems, and production machinery. Classes will teach you to work with sophisticated diagnostic machinery and be comfortable reassembling big, complex equipment.
Students should be good problem solvers in order to diagnose issues and find solutions. Attention to detail and a steady hand are important. Most programs require student to acquire an apprenticeships in order to gain work experience and to learn the fundamentals first hand. This usually involves working alongside professionals in the field.
The skill set emphasized by a heavy/industrial equipment maintenance program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a heavy/industrial equipment maintenance major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several heavy/industrial equipment maintenance degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 2,565 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,521 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 9 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 4,688 |
People currently working in careers related to heavy/industrial equipment maintenance tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 49.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 39.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.5% |
| Some college courses | 5.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 0.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.3% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in heavy/industrial equipment maintenance careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Individuals who have completed a program in Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance have different career options. Industrial machinery mechanics and maintenance workers repair and maintain factory equipment and other industrial machinery. Other jobs you might find work in are general maintenance and repair workers, heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians, and millwrights.
A degree in heavy/industrial equipment maintenance prepares you for numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to heavy/industrial equipment maintenance.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to heavy/industrial equipment maintenance.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons | 628,417 | 12.0% |
| Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door | 577,707 | 5.5% |
| Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers | 534,900 | -2.0% |
| Wind Turbine Service Technicians | 488,197 | 14.9% |
| Maintenance Workers, Machinery | 434,170 | 6.1% |
| Rail Car Repairers | 307,791 | 14.4% |
| Millwrights | 139,345 | 9.2% |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | 80,559 | 7.8% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of heavy/industrial equipment maintenance graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $49,887 |
| 4 years | $52,783 |
| 5 years | $60,412 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for heavy/industrial equipment maintenance graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers heavy/industrial equipment maintenance grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Turbine Service Technicians | $74,051 |
| Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door | $69,523 |
| Millwrights | $69,067 |
| Maintenance Workers, Machinery | $68,487 |
| Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons | $54,995 |
| Rail Car Repairers | $49,359 |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | $39,180 |
| Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers | $36,138 |
With 293 different heavy/industrial equipment maintenance programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased heavy/industrial equipment maintenance school rankings to help you.
Those considering heavy/industrial equipment maintenance, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
