How much does a mobile heavy equipment mechanic make?
The median mobile heavy equipment mechanic in the United States earns $63,980 per year, about $30.76 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all mobile heavy equipment mechanics earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 49-3042.
Mobile heavy equipment mechanic salary range
Pay for mobile heavy equipment mechanics spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $45,450 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $92,360. The average (mean) wage of $67,580 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $45,450 | $21.85 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $53,500 | $25.72 | |
| Median (50th) | $63,980 | $30.76 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $78,090 | $37.54 | |
| 90th percentile | $92,360 | $44.41 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines (SOC 49-3042), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Mobile heavy equipment mechanic salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics earn the most in Rhode Island at $80,770 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $52,880. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $80,770 | 170 |
| Alaska | $79,900 | 1,590 |
| Nevada | $78,970 | 3,360 |
| Massachusetts | $78,450 | 2,280 |
| California | $78,060 | 21,170 |
| Hawaii | $78,060 | 640 |
| North Dakota | $76,450 | 2,090 |
| Connecticut | $76,160 | 790 |
| Washington | $75,820 | 3,640 |
| Minnesota | $75,750 | 2,950 |
| New Jersey | $75,350 | 3,490 |
| District of Columbia | $74,800 | 90 |
| Wyoming | $73,440 | 1,440 |
| Oregon | $72,000 | 2,500 |
| Montana | $71,440 | 1,310 |
| Colorado | $68,590 | 3,790 |
| Maryland | $68,520 | 1,880 |
| South Dakota | $67,770 | 780 |
| Illinois | $67,520 | 2,960 |
| New York | $66,090 | 4,180 |
| Wisconsin | $65,290 | 2,380 |
| Idaho | $65,060 | 1,110 |
| Indiana | $64,070 | 3,250 |
| Nebraska | $63,910 | 1,410 |
| Utah | $63,890 | 2,100 |
| Delaware | $63,770 | 450 |
| Iowa | $63,480 | 2,860 |
| Michigan | $63,390 | 3,810 |
| Ohio | $63,110 | 5,900 |
| Missouri | $63,100 | 3,760 |
| Arizona | $62,880 | 7,840 |
| Florida | $62,680 | 9,760 |
| Pennsylvania | $62,590 | 7,560 |
| Alabama | $62,400 | 4,050 |
| Virginia | $62,400 | 4,990 |
| New Hampshire | $62,270 | 630 |
| North Carolina | $62,200 | 4,810 |
| Kansas | $61,680 | 1,900 |
| Vermont | $61,580 | 300 |
| New Mexico | $61,080 | 1,290 |
| Texas | $60,920 | 19,850 |
| Maine | $60,700 | 1,230 |
| Arkansas | $60,410 | 1,210 |
| Georgia | $59,670 | 6,620 |
| Tennessee | $59,380 | 2,430 |
| Kentucky | $59,240 | 2,330 |
| South Carolina | $58,720 | 2,890 |
| Louisiana | $58,360 | 5,650 |
| Mississippi | $57,660 | 1,960 |
| Oklahoma | $57,310 | 2,740 |
| West Virginia | $52,880 | 2,160 |
State median wages for mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines (SOC 49-3042), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for mobile heavy equipment mechanics
The BLS projects employment of mobile heavy equipment mechanics to grow 6.7% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 180,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 192,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 15,000 openings a year for mobile heavy equipment mechanics. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a mobile heavy equipment mechanic
The typical entry-level education for mobile heavy equipment mechanics is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a mobile heavy equipment mechanic earns
Certifications, the type of equipment worked on, employer, and region drive most of the pay difference. Flat-rate pay and overtime can push experienced techs well above the median.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Rhode Island, $80,770) and the lowest (West Virginia, $52,880) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 180,270 people work as mobile heavy equipment mechanics in the United States. At $63,980 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Mobile heavy equipment mechanic salary FAQ
How much does a mobile heavy equipment mechanic make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a mobile heavy equipment mechanic is $30.76. The middle half of mobile heavy equipment mechanics earn between $25.72 and $37.54 per hour.
What is the highest mobile heavy equipment mechanic salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of mobile heavy equipment mechanics earn more than $92,360 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a mobile heavy equipment mechanic make a year?
The median annual salary for a mobile heavy equipment mechanic is $63,980. The average (mean) wage of $67,580 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a mobile heavy equipment mechanic a well paid job?
At $63,980 a year, a mobile heavy equipment mechanic earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 180,270 people work as mobile heavy equipment mechanics in the United States.
Which state pays mobile heavy equipment mechanics the most?
Rhode Island has the highest median salary for mobile heavy equipment mechanics at $80,770 a year. Alaska ($79,900) and Nevada ($78,970) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a mobile heavy equipment mechanic a good career?
Employment of mobile heavy equipment mechanics is projected to grow 6.7% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 15,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a mobile heavy equipment mechanic?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for mobile heavy equipment mechanics as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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