CareerGPS

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
Summary Occupational Forecast Data for Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
Employment Employment Change Average Annual Job Openings Wage & Training Levels
2020 2025 Numerical Percent New Jobs Replacement Jobs Total Median Hourly Median Annual Training Levels
1,253 1,357 104 8.26% 21 129 150 $30.50 $63,446 High school diploma or equivalent
Description: Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, and conveyors, used in construction, logging, and surface mining.
Forecast Data Source: EMSI (4th Quarter 2023)

Occupation Details

The information in this section represents occupational characteristics included in O*NET which defines key features of an occupation as a standardized, measurable set of variables called "descriptors". These distinguishing characteristics of an occupation are described in greater detail in the O*NET Content Model. All items are listed in descending order of importance.

  • Test mechanical products and equipment after repair or assembly to ensure proper performance and compliance with manufacturers' specifications.
  • Repair and replace damaged or worn parts.
  • Operate and inspect machines or heavy equipment to diagnose defects.
  • Diagnose faults or malfunctions to determine required repairs, using engine diagnostic equipment such as computerized test equipment and calibration devices.
  • Dismantle and reassemble heavy equipment using hoists and hand tools.
  • Clean, lubricate, and perform other routine maintenance work on equipment and vehicles.
  • Examine parts for damage or excessive wear, using micrometers and gauges.
  • Schedule maintenance for industrial machines and equipment, and keep equipment service records.
  • Read and understand operating manuals, blueprints, and technical drawings.
  • Overhaul and test machines or equipment to ensure operating efficiency.
  • Assemble gear systems, and align frames and gears.
  • Fit bearings to adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment.
  • Weld or solder broken parts and structural members, using electric or gas welders and soldering tools.
  • Clean parts by spraying them with grease solvent or immersing them in tanks of solvent.
  • Adjust, maintain, and repair or replace subassemblies, such as transmissions and crawler heads, using hand tools, jacks, and cranes.
  • Adjust and maintain industrial machinery, using control and regulating devices.
  • Fabricate needed parts or items from sheet metal.
  • Repair, rewire, and troubleshoot electrical systems.
  • Research, order, and maintain parts inventory for services and repairs.

Knowledge

96%
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
66%
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
59%
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
58%
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
53%
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Skills

75%
Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
72%
Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
72%
Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
69%
Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
62%
Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
62%
Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
60%
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
56%
Equipment Selection - Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
53%
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
53%
Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
50%
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
50%
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
50%
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
50%
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Abilities

75%
Manual Dexterity - The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
75%
Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
72%
Multilimb Coordination - The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
72%
Finger Dexterity - The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
72%
Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
72%
Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
65%
Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
65%
Extent Flexibility - The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
62%
Reaction Time - The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
62%
Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
60%
Hearing Sensitivity - The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
56%
Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
56%
Static Strength - The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
56%
Visual Color Discrimination - The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
56%
Rate Control - The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
56%
Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
53%
Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance.
53%
Trunk Strength - The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
53%
Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
53%
Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
53%
Depth Perception - The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
53%
Response Orientation - The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.
50%
Auditory Attention - The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
50%
Gross Body Coordination - The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together when the whole body is in motion.
50%
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
50%
Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
50%
Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes compa
50%
Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
50%
Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
50%
Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Work Activities

86%
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
84%
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
75%
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
74%
Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
74%
Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
69%
Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
68%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
67%
Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
65%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
64%
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
64%
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
61%
Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
60%
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
56%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
54%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
50%
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Title Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Overall Experience Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job Training Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Job Zone Examples These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include food service managers, electricians, agricultural technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.
Education Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Interests

Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outsi
Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Work Styles

Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Work Values

Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.