Heavy-duty Equipment Technicians
(NOC 7312)
in All Trades and TransportationHeavy-duty equipment technicians repair, troubleshoot, adjust, overhaul, and maintain mobile heavy-duty equipment used in construction, transportation, forestry, mining, oil and gas, material handling, landscaping, land clearing, farming, and similar activities. Agricultural equipment technicians repair and service machines typically used in the farming industry. Heavy duty equipment technicians repair and maintain heavy-duty equipment like bulldozers, cranes, and graders. They work for companies that own and operate heavy equipment, and by heavy equipment dealers, rental and service companies, and railway transport companies and urban transit systems. Heavy-duty mechanics may specialize in machinery like combines or tracked vehicles, or in engine overhaul, power shift transmissions, fuel injection, hydraulics, or electronics.
Job Outlook
Good
Read more
Compared to: All Trades and Transportation
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “good”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is better than average when compared to other occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a moderate sized occupation in Nova Scotia so some job opportunities may occur through turnover. The number employed in this occupation is expected to grow moderately over the next few years, which will likely provide some additional opportunities for employment. With a moderate percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to contribute somewhat to employment opportunities over the coming years. Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics most commonly work full-time hours.
The median employment income for 69% of Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $59,172. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$16.00
Minimum$26.00
Median$39.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$18,034
Minimum$58,259
Median$114,867
MaximumCompared to: All Trades and Transportation
Hourly Pay
$13.50
Minimum$27.25
Median$35.50
MaximumAnnual Pay
$7,580
Minimum$37,269
Median$79,787
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Heavy-duty equipment technicians repair, troubleshoot, adjust, overhaul, and maintain mobile heavy-duty equipment used in construction, transportation, forestry, mining, oil and gas, material handling, landscaping, land clearing, farming, and similar activities. Agricultural equipment technicians repair and service machines typically used in the farming industry. Heavy duty equipment technicians repair and maintain heavy-duty equipment like bulldozers, cranes, and graders. They work for companies that own and operate heavy equipment, and by heavy equipment dealers, rental and service companies, and railway transport companies and urban transit systems. Heavy-duty mechanics may specialize in machinery like combines or tracked vehicles, or in engine overhaul, power shift transmissions, fuel injection, hydraulics, or electronics.
Job duties
Heavy-duty equipment mechanics:
- Check bulldozers, cranes, graders, and other heavy construction, agricultural, logging and mining equipment for proper performance and inspect equipment to detect faults and malfunctions.
- Diagnose faults or malfunctions using computerized and other testing equipment to determine extent of repair required.
- Adjust equipment and repair or replace defective parts, components, or systems, using hand and power tools.
- Test repaired equipment for proper performance and to ensure that work meets manufacturers' specifications.
- Clean, lubricate and perform other routine maintenance work on equipment.
- Service attachments and working tools like harvesting and tillage equipment, blades, ploughs, winches, and side booms.
- May perform repair work on heavy trucks.
- May attach components and adjust new farm equipment.
Sample job titles
- agricultural equipment technician
- construction equipment mechanic
- crane service technician
- farm equipment mechanic
- farm machinery mechanic
- heavy diesel engine mechanic
- heavy equipment inspector-repairer
- heavy-duty equipment mechanic
- heavy-duty equipment technician
Skills
You should have an interest in electronics and mechanical operations. A strong background in mathematics and the sciences is important. You must be able to cooperate with others and perform routine tasks. Agility, physical strength, and hand-eye coordination are needed. You must also have good vision and hearing, and an inclination to work with tools.
Job requirements
- High school is usually required.
- A three- to five-year apprenticeship program or a combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in heavy equipment repair is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
- Heavy-duty equipment technician trade certification is available, but voluntary, in Nova Scotia.
- Agricultural equipment technician trade certification is available, but voluntary, in Nova Scotia.
- Red Seal Endorsement (RSE) is also available to qualified heavy duty equipment technicians and agricultural equipment technicians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Other considerations
The wage rate for apprentices is usually a percentage of the journeyperson rate, increasing upon completion of each stage of the apprenticeship program. The skills learned in this trade are transferable to other motive power trades. Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Trades and Transportation
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
North Shore
Halifax
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Wholesale trade
Other services (except public administration)
Construction
Public administration
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
What is the age of Employment?
55-64
45-54
35-44
25-34
15-24
65+
Compared to: All Trades and Transportation
45-54
55-64
35-44
25-34
15-24
Top levels of education
Apprenticeship
$66,200 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$58,013 median annual incomeHigh school
$38,055 median annual incomeLess than high school
$42,061 median annual incomeDiploma Below Bachelor
N/ACompared to: All Trades and Transportation
Apprenticeship
$46,494 median annual incomeHigh school
$31,260 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$42,050 median annual incomeLess than high school
$28,319 median annual incomeBachelor
$30,527 median annual incomeEducation & training
Adult High School Siploma or Equivalent
High School ProgramThe Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) administers, coordinates, and supports the development and delivery of adult education programs through learning partners in Nova Scotia. Our learning partners include the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations that offer tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED, empowering Nova Scotians to achieve their learning and employment goals.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
Various, NS
Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment Technology
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students to maintain and repair farm, ranch, and agribusiness power equipment and vehicles. They include courses in the principles of diesel, combustion, electrical, steam, hydraulic, and mechanical systems and their application to maintaining crop spraying equipment, tractors and hauling equipment, planting and harvesting equipment, cutting equipment, power sources and systems for silos, irrigation and pumping equipment, dairy, feeding and shearing operations, and processing systems.
Institutions providing this program
Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to operate and maintain a variety of heavy equipment like crawler tractors, motor graders and scrapers, shovels, rigging devices, hoists, and jacks. They include courses in digging, ditching, sloping, stripping, grading, and backfilling, clearing and excavating.
Institutions providing this program
Truro, NS
Port Hawkesbury, NS
Falmouth, NS
Diesel Mechanics Technician
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, service, and maintain diesel engines in vehicles like cars, buses, ships, trucks, railroad locomotives, and construction equipment as well as stationary diesel engines in electrical generators and related equipment.
Institutions providing this program
Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technician
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills in the field maintenance and repair of heavy equipment, and in the general maintenance and overhaul of such equipment. They include courses in inspection, maintenance, and repair of tracks, wheels, brakes, operating controls, pneumatic and hydraulic systems, electrical circuitry, engines and in techniques of welding and brazing.
Institutions providing this program
Stellarton, NS
Medium/Heavy Vehicle and Truck Technician
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to the specialized maintenance and repair of trucks, buses, and other commercial and industrial vehicles. They include courses in diesel engine mechanics, suspension and steering, brake systems, electrical and electronic systems, preventive maintenance inspections, drive trains, gasoline engine mechanics, HVAC systems, and auxiliary equipment installation and repair.
Institutions providing this program
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Certificate of Qualification (Voluntary): This job is a designated trade in Nova Scotia. Employers may require certification, but a certificate is not needed to legally do this work.
Certificate of Qualification (Voluntary): This job is a designated trade in Nova Scotia. Employers may require certification, but a certificate is not needed to legally do this work.