TRADES Specialization

Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians

Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians graduates earn $83,301 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 49.9%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Wind Turbine Service Technicians is among the highest-growth roles in the field.

About Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians

Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians is a focused area of study within Mechanics & Repair. Graduates typically earn around $83,301 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. The program is available at 374 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 8,614 students complete this program each year, most earning a certificate. Training is practical and skills-based, with a fast path from classroom to job site.


Median Earnings · 1yr
$65,331
Median Earnings · 4yr
$83,301
Colleges Offering
374
Graduates / Year
8,614
Avg Net Price / yr
$8,321

How Much Do Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians Graduates Earn?

Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians graduates earn $83,301 four years out, well above average for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $72,669 and $105,418.

$65,331
1 Year After Graduation

Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.

$83,301
4-Year National Median

Well above average for college graduates.

$83,528
4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.


Earnings Range

There is a moderate earnings spread across Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians graduates. Region and union membership drive the gap more than any other factor. Union jobs in high-cost metros pay significantly more than non-union positions elsewhere.


Why This Program Pays Off Fast

Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $83,301 against an estimated $33,284 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.

Based on outcomes from 2 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 8,614 students who complete Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians programs each year, the majority (62%) earn a certificate degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

Certificate 62%
Associate's 36%
Doctorate 2%

What Can You Do With a Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians Degree?

Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians connects to 6 occupations in the job market. Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers leads at $109,910/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↗ +5.0% Zone 3: Medium preparation
$109,910
$79K $136K 25th–75th pct.
High school diploma or equivalent 2,000 openings/yr 24K employed nationally
Equipment Maintenance Troubleshooting Repairing Critical Thinking Operations Monitoring
Day-to-day responsibilities

Assemble, install, repair, or maintain electric or hydraulic freight or passenger elevators, escalators, or dumbwaiters.

  • Inspect wiring connections, control panel hookups, door installations, and alignments and clearances of cars and hoistways to ensure that equipment will operate properly.
  • Assemble, install, repair, and maintain elevators, escalators, moving sidewalks, and dumbwaiters, using hand and power tools, and testing devices such as test lamps, ammeters, and voltmeters.
  • Disassemble defective units, and repair or replace parts such as locks, gears, cables, and electric wiring.
↗ +1.3% Zone 3: Medium preparation
$74,340
$55K $97K 25th–75th pct.
High school diploma or equivalent 3,900 openings/yr 48K employed nationally
Critical Thinking Repairing Operations Monitoring Equipment Maintenance Troubleshooting
Day-to-day responsibilities

Install, repair, and maintain mechanical regulating and controlling devices, such as electric meters, gas regulators, thermostats, safety and flow valves, and other mechanical governors.

  • Record maintenance information, including test results, material usage, and repairs made.
  • Disassemble and repair mechanical control devices or valves, such as regulators, thermostats, or hydrants, using power tools, hand tools, and cutting torches.
  • Lubricate wearing surfaces of mechanical parts, using oils or other lubricants.
↗ +5.8% Zone 3: Medium preparation
$65,510
$57K $79K 25th–75th pct.
High school diploma or equivalent 16,500 openings/yr 177K employed nationally
Repairing Troubleshooting Equipment Maintenance Operations Monitoring Operation and Control
Day-to-day responsibilities

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, and conveyors, used in construction, logging, and mining.

  • Repair and replace damaged or worn parts.
  • Test mechanical products and equipment after repair or assembly to ensure proper performance and compliance with manufacturers' specifications.
  • Operate and inspect machines or heavy equipment to diagnose defects.
↗ +16.1% Zone 3: Medium preparation
$64,520
$55K $79K 25th–75th pct.
High school diploma or equivalent 45,700 openings/yr 440K employed nationally
Repairing Operations Monitoring Operation and Control Equipment Maintenance Troubleshooting
Day-to-day responsibilities

Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems. May also install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to plans.

  • Repair or maintain the operating condition of industrial production or processing machinery or equipment.
  • Repair or replace broken or malfunctioning components of machinery or equipment.
  • Clean, lubricate, or adjust parts, equipment, or machinery.
↗ +49.9% Zone 3: Medium preparation
$64,120
$59K $78K 25th–75th pct.
Postsecondary nondegree award 2,300 openings/yr 10K employed nationally
Operations Monitoring Equipment Maintenance Troubleshooting Repairing Critical Thinking
Day-to-day responsibilities

Inspect, diagnose, adjust, or repair wind turbines. Perform maintenance on wind turbine equipment including resolving electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic malfunctions.

  • Troubleshoot or repair mechanical, hydraulic, or electrical malfunctions related to variable pitch systems, variable speed control systems, converter systems, or related components.
  • Perform routine maintenance on wind turbine equipment, underground transmission systems, wind fields substations, or fiber optic sensing and control systems.
  • Diagnose problems involving wind turbine generators or control systems.
↘ -2.8% Zone 3: Medium preparation
$60,850
$49K $75K 25th–75th pct.
High school diploma or equivalent 4,800 openings/yr 60K employed nationally
Operations Monitoring Equipment Maintenance Troubleshooting Repairing Operation and Control
Day-to-day responsibilities

Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.

  • Dismantle machines and remove parts for repair, using hand tools, chain falls, jacks, cranes, or hoists.
  • Reassemble machines after the completion of repair or maintenance work.
  • Record production, repair, and machine maintenance information.

Top Colleges for Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

# College Graduates Acceptance Net Price/yr Earnings 10yr
1 Gadsden State Community College Gadsden, AL · Public 142 Open $3,515 $32,937
2 Nashville Auto-Diesel College Nashville, TN · For-Profit 136 Open $32,544 $46,396
3 Bluegrass Community and Technical College Lexington, KY · Public 105 Open $6,113 $36,343
4 Georgia Northwestern Technical College Rome, GA · Public 104 Open $5,720 $35,759
5 Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College Bowling Green, KY · Public 101 Open $3,537 $34,242
6 College of the Sequoias Visalia, CA · Public 72 Open $480 $39,092
7 Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN · Public 71 Open $7,258 $37,186
8 San Joaquin Delta College Stockton, CA · Public 67 Open $2,407 $43,212
9 Southern Union State Community College Wadley, AL · Public 67 Open $6,142 $36,597
10 San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto Salida, CA · For-Profit 67 Open $26,706 $38,317
11 Owensboro Community and Technical College Owensboro, KY · Public 62 Open $5,800 $35,798
12 Elizabethtown Community and Technical College Elizabethtown, KY · Public 61 Open $5,143 $36,143
13 Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IA · Public 59 Open $9,705 $41,016
14 Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville Shelbyville, TN · Public 54 Open $7,573 $38,700
15 Lanier Technical College Gainesville, GA · Public 50 Open $7,799 $37,623
16 Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest Newbern, TN · Public 47 Open $9,698 $38,514
17 Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire, WI · Public 43 Open $12,285 $46,297
18 Metropolitan Community College Area Omaha, NE · Public 42 Open $4,982 $38,773
19 Itawamba Community College Fulton, MS · Public 42 Open $4,616 $32,912
20 Somerset Community College Somerset, KY · Public 41 Open $4,398 $30,787

Ranked by Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians Degree: Pros & Cons

Strong earnings and positive career growth make Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians a solid option. The 4 strengths and 2 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.

PROS
  • Strong median salary Graduates earn $83,301 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
  • Fast-growing field Related careers are projected to grow up to +49.9% over the next decade, with Wind Turbine Service Technicians among the fastest-growing roles.
  • Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 75,200 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
  • High upside potential Top earners (75th percentile) in this program reach $105,418, a strong ceiling for high performers.
CONS
  • Licensure often required Many positions in this field require trade licenses, certifications, or apprenticeship completion. These add time and cost beyond the academic credential.
  • Declining roles in some areas 1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.

Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians graduates earn?
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians graduates earn a national median of $83,301 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $72,669 and $105,418. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians degree?
One year after graduation, Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians degree holders earn a median of $65,331. That climbs to $83,301 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians degree?
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians degree holders pursue careers including Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers, which pays a median of $109,910/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians program take?
Most Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians certificate programs take one to two years of full-time study. Some are available in as little as one semester at community colleges.
How many colleges offer Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians?
374 colleges and universities in the United States offer Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $83,301 and an average net price of roughly $8,321/yr, a Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians and Mechanics & Repair?
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians is a focused concentration within the broader Mechanics & Repair field. The Mechanics & Repair major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians graduates?
Employers hiring Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians graduates consistently prioritize technical proficiency, safety compliance, and hands-on problem-solving. Certifications, apprenticeships, and demonstrated practical experience typically carry as much weight as academic credentials in this field.
Is graduate school worth it for Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians graduates?
With a median salary of $83,301, graduate study in Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians can meaningfully increase long-term income, particularly for specialized or professional programs aligned with high-demand roles. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians graduates?
The job outlook for Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians graduates is strong overall. Related occupations project an average of +12.6% job growth over the next 10 years. Wind Turbine Service Technicians is among the strongest-growth roles at +49.9%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.

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