Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technology equips students with the technical expertise needed to maintain, repair, and overhaul large-scale machinery used in construction, mining, agriculture, and infrastructure development. This hands-on program emphasizes precision, safety, and efficiency in diagnosing and resolving mechanical and systems-related issues across complex equipment.
- Track and Wheel Systems Maintenance: Focuses on the inspection, adjustment, and replacement of undercarriage components, including track assemblies, rollers, idlers, and wheel mechanisms, ensuring optimal performance and longevity of mobile machinery.
- Braking and Control Systems: Covers the analysis, servicing, and calibration of hydraulic and mechanical braking systems, along with the repair and tuning of operator controls and steering mechanisms.
- Pneumatic and Hydraulic Systems: Teaches the principles of fluid power systems, including pressure testing, leak detection, component replacement, and system diagnostics for reliable operation in demanding environments.
- Electrical and Electronic Circuitry: Provides training in troubleshooting electrical faults, interpreting schematics, maintaining sensors, wiring harnesses, and control modules in modern heavy equipment.
- Engine Performance and Overhaul: Involves the disassembly, inspection, repair, and reassembly of diesel and internal combustion engines, with emphasis on fuel systems, cooling, and emissions control.
- Welding and Brazing Techniques: Develops proficiency in joining metal components using arc welding, MIG, TIG, and brazing methods, essential for structural repairs and fabrication in field and shop settings.
Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technology degrees, including Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door, Rail Car Repairers and Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 245,490 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door 49-9012 | $74,690 | $43,840 - $109,050 | 46,920 | $35.91 |
| Rail Car Repairers 49-3043 | $65,680 | $45,670 - $92,000 | 18,300 | $31.58 |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines 49-3042 | $63,980 | $45,450 - $92,360 | 180,270 | $30.76 |
Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $56,330 in Mississippi to $93,075 in Alaska—a 65% difference. The highest-paying states include Alaska, Massachusetts, and North Dakota. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 245,490 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 48 institutions offering Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technology is found at Lincoln College of Technology, Nashville (153 graduates), San Joaquin Delta College (91 graduates), Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech) (60 graduates), Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) (44 graduates), and Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) (32 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 814 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln College of Technology |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
|
153 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | lincolntech.edu |
| San Joaquin Delta College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
91 | Stockton, California | Public | deltacollege.edu |
| Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
60 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | waketech.edu |
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
44 | Green Bay, Wisconsin | Public | nwtc.edu |
| Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) |
Other Award
|
32 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | cpcc.edu |
| Rend Lake College (RLC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
30 | Ina, Illinois | Public | rlc.edu |
| Ferris State University (FSU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
25 | Big Rapids, Michigan | Public | ferris.edu |
| San Diego Miramar College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
21 | San Diego, California | Public | sdmiramar.edu |
| South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
21 | Americus, Georgia | Public | southgatech.edu |
| Western Technical College (WTC) |
Associate's
|
21 | La Crosse, Wisconsin | Public | westerntc.edu |
| Pennsylvania College of Technology |
Associate's
|
20 | Williamsport, Pennsylvania | Public | pct.edu |
| Mesa Community College (MCC) |
Associate's
|
17 | Mesa, Arizona | Public | mesacc.edu |
| Putnam Career and Technical Center (PCTC) |
Other Award
|
17 | Eleanor, West Virginia | Public | pctc.edu |
| West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) |
Other Award
|
16 | Waco, Georgia | Public | westgatech.edu |
| Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
|
16 | Rosemount, Minnesota | Public | dctc.edu |
| Immokalee Technical College (iTECH) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
16 | Immokalee, Florida | Public | itech.edu |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Other Award
|
15 | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | Public | cvtc.edu |
| Gwinnett Technical College (Gwinnett Tech) |
Other Award
|
14 | Lawrenceville, Georgia | Public | gwinnetttech.edu |
| Rio Hondo College (RHC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
13 | Whittier, California | Public | riohondo.edu |
| Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology (CPI) |
Other Award
|
13 | Pleasant Gap, Pennsylvania | Public | cpi.edu |
| Lincoln Technical Institute |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
12 | South Plainfield, New Jersey | Private | lincolntech.edu |
| Southeast Community College Area (SCC) |
Associate's
|
11 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | southeast.edu |
| Minnesota North College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
10 | Hibbing, Minnesota | Public | minnesotanorth.edu |
| Madison Area Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
10 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | madisoncollege.edu |
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
9 | Perkinston, Mississippi | Public | mgccc.edu |
| Santa Ana College (SAC) |
Other Award
|
8 | Santa Ana, California | Public | sac.edu |
| Western Nebraska Community College (WNCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Scottsbluff, Nebraska | Public | wncc.edu |
| Collins Career Technical Center (CCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
8 | Chesapeake, Ohio | Public | collins-cc.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Other Award
|
8 | Memphis, Tennessee | Public | tcatmemphis.edu |
| Blackhawk Technical College (BTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
8 | Janesville, Wisconsin | Public | blackhawk.edu |
| Albany Technical College |
Other Award
|
7 | Albany, Georgia | Public | albanytech.edu |
| Eastern Maine Community College (EMCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
7 | Bangor, Maine | Public | emcc.edu |
| Lansing Community College (LCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
7 | Lansing, Michigan | Public | lcc.edu |
| Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) |
Other Award
|
7 | Warner Robins, Georgia | Public | centralgatech.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Crump, Tennessee | Public | tcatcrump.edu |
| College of Southern Idaho (CSI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
5 | Twin Falls, Idaho | Public | csi.edu |
| Mid-State Technical College (Mid-State) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
5 | Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin | Public | mstc.edu |
| Northwood Technical College (Northwood Tech) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
5 | Rice Lake, Wisconsin | Public | northwoodtech.edu |
| Linn-Benton Community College (LBCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Albany, Oregon | Public | linnbenton.edu |
| Washington County Community College (WCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
3 | Calais, Maine | Public | wccc.me.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAA) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
2 | Anchorage, Alaska | Public | uaa.alaska.edu |
| Athens Technical College (Athens Tech) |
Other Award
|
2 | Athens, Georgia | Public | athenstech.edu |
| Blue Ridge Community and Technical College |
Associate's
|
2 | Martinsburg, West Virginia | Public | blueridgectc.edu |
| East Arkansas Community College (EACC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Forrest City, Arkansas | Public | eacc.edu |
| Chattahoochee Technical College |
Other Award
|
1 | Marietta, Georgia | Public | chattahoocheetech.edu |
| Wilkes Community College (WCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Wilkesboro, North Carolina | Public | wilkescc.edu |
| Johnson College |
Associate's
|
1 | Scranton, Pennsylvania | Private | johnson.edu |
| Clinton Essex Warren Washington BOCES (CVES BOCES) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Plattsburgh, New York | Public | cves.org |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technology programs
How much can I earn with a Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technology degree?
Salaries for Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technology graduates vary by role and location. Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door earn a median of $74,690 annually, while Rail Car Repairers earn around $65,680. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Alaska average $93,075 compared to $56,330 in Mississippi. Approximately 245,490 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technology programs?
Currently 48 accredited institutions offer Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Lincoln College of Technology, Nashville (153 graduates), San Joaquin Delta College (91 graduates), and Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech) (60 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 560 in 2010 to a peak of 990 in 2020, before declining slightly to 814 in 2023-24. This represents a 45% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door, Rail Car Repairers, and Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines. Related occupations employ approximately 245,490 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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