Work in the construction industry comes with many opportunities to learn new skills.
Those new skills can lead you to a whole new career path, such as becoming a heavy equipment technician.
Build upon your hands-on experience, from operating the machinery to a whole new level.
A heavy equipment technician, sometimes called a heavy-duty diesel technician, maintains and repairs heavy construction equipment, such as forklifts, skid steers, backhoes, drills, and tractors. These heavy machinery mechanics use the equipment manufacturer’s specifications to care for and fix issues with mechanical, hydraulic, and structural systems.
Major tasks include:
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is an above average demand for heavy equipment technicians and the median salary in 2023 was $61,000 a year. (source)
Most heavy equipment technicians have a high school diploma or equivalent, along with
Today’s equipment mechanics do need to fully understand the sophisticated technology and computer systems used on heavy equipment machinery.
Normally, you can become a heavy equipment mechanic in two to three years, first earning a certificate or experience in a relevant field, such as heavy equipment maintenance or diesel auto repair, and then adding work experience and on-site training to learn about preventative maintenance, troubleshooting and repairs, and diagnostics.
You can add to your skill set further with training programs and foundational classes offered at local technical schools and community colleges. If you enjoy the classroom setting, you can look for certificate programs or work toward an associate’s degree to make your resume more competitive.
Once you’ve landed a job, be ready to keep adding new skills through ongoing education and certification. This will enable you to manage any new technology and computer systems on heavy machinery.
Across Georgia, Yancey Bros. is home to over 700 highly trained technicians in a variety of specialties, including as heavy equipment mechanics. Our technicians boast sizeable earning potential through their expertise with dozers, generators, marine engines, trucks, school buses, and much more.
Contact us when you’re ready to take the next step in your construction career.
