by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technology/Technician covers Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills In The Field Maintenance And Repair Of Heavy Equipment, And In The General Maintenance And Overhaul Of Such Equipment. Includes Instruction In Inspection, Maintenance, And Repair Of Tracks, Wheels, Brakes, Operating Controls, Pneumatic And Hydraulic Systems, Electrical Circuitry, Engines And In Techniques Of Welding And Brazing. Examples: [Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic], [Heavy Duty Equipment Technician], [Heavy Duty Equipment Technician (Off Road)], [Heavy Equipment Service Technician]. Continue reading for the essential details every heavy equipment maintenance technology/technician student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering heavy equipment maintenance technology/technician programs.
Nationwide, heavy equipment maintenance technology/technician is a popular field of study, with 814 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools ranking analyzes these 48 schools to determine the best overall colleges for heavy equipment maintenance technology/technician students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of heavy equipment maintenance technology/technician programs later in this article.
Programs in Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technology/Technician build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations heavy equipment maintenance technology/technician graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a heavy equipment maintenance technology/technician program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a heavy equipment maintenance technology/technician major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several heavy equipment maintenance technology/technician 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 | 306 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 230 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 9 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 269 |
People currently working in careers related to heavy equipment maintenance technology/technician tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 50.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 41.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.9% |
| Some college courses | 2.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 0.9% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in heavy equipment maintenance technology/technician careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in heavy equipment maintenance technology/technician prepares you for many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to heavy equipment maintenance technology/technician.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to heavy equipment maintenance technology/technician.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door | 577,707 | 5.5% |
| Rail Car Repairers | 307,791 | 14.4% |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | 67,931 | 3.2% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of heavy equipment maintenance technology/technician graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow 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 equipment maintenance technology/technician graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers heavy equipment maintenance technology/technician grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door | $69,523 |
| Rail Car Repairers | $49,359 |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | $39,180 |
With 48 different heavy equipment maintenance technology/technician programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased heavy equipment maintenance technology/technician school rankings to help you.
Those considering heavy equipment maintenance technology/technician, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance Technology/Technician | 8,063 |
| Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians, Other | 48 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
