What is an equipment mechanic and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
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Equipment mechanics are specialists that specialize in the inspection and repair of mechanical systems. As an equipment mechanic, you must ensure equipment efficiency and quality. Primarily, you are to respond to issues and concerns about mechanical systems. It is also a part of your duties to identify a client's needs as well as to conduct inspections. In addition, you are also expected to perform repairs and corrective measures if and when the need arises.

As an equipment mechanic, you must perform a maintenance check regularly. This is to ensure that the operators work efficiently and they are safe to work with. Furthermore, you may be required to liaise with customers concerning the extent of damage and repair and provide a cost estimate. All these must be done while building a strong positive relationship with clients to strengthen the customer base.

To be a successful equipment mechanic, you must have mechanical skills, organizational skills, and dexterity. You will earn at least an average salary of $44,709 per year.

ScoreEquipment MechanicUS Average
Salary
3.5

Avg. Salary $45,435

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
8.2

Growth Rate 8%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
7.2
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.76%

Asian 1.77%

Black or African American 5.70%

Hispanic or Latino 15.76%

Unknown 3.83%

White 72.18%

Gender

female 3.52%

male 96.48%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44
Stress Level
8.2

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
6.5

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
3.4

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Equipment Mechanic career paths

Key steps to become an equipment mechanic

  1. Explore equipment mechanic education requirements

    Most common equipment mechanic degrees

    High School Diploma

    34.5 %

    Associate

    32.3 %

    Bachelor's

    15.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific equipment mechanic skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Hand Tools9.42%
    Preventive Maintenance6.37%
    CDL6.27%
    Electrical Systems5.64%
    Ladders4.66%
  3. Complete relevant equipment mechanic training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New equipment mechanics learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an equipment mechanic based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real equipment mechanic resumes.
  4. Research equipment mechanic duties and responsibilities

    • Maintain and manage shop for parts, supplies and priority in jobs and cleanliness.
    • Repair electrical equipment, hydraulic systems and mobile maintenance cranes.
    • Complete all paperwork in conformance with state, federal, and OSHA guidelines.
    • Work on various vehicles from bulldozers to container handlers to generators to to small trailers.
  5. Prepare your equipment mechanic resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your equipment mechanic resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an equipment mechanic resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Equipment Mechanic Resume templates

    Build a professional Equipment Mechanic resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Equipment Mechanic resume.
    Equipment Mechanic Resume
    Equipment Mechanic Resume
    Equipment Mechanic Resume
    Equipment Mechanic Resume
    Equipment Mechanic Resume
    Equipment Mechanic Resume
    Equipment Mechanic Resume
    Equipment Mechanic Resume
    Equipment Mechanic Resume
  6. Apply for equipment mechanic jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an equipment mechanic job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Equipment Mechanic Job

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Average equipment mechanic salary

The average Equipment Mechanic salary in the United States is $45,435 per year or $22 per hour. Equipment mechanic salaries range between $32,000 and $62,000 per year.

Average Equipment Mechanic Salary
$45,435 Yearly
$21.84 hourly

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How do equipment mechanics rate their job?

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Equipment Mechanic reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2022
Pros

Hands on /weld/electric/mech/plumbing……

Cons

People looking over me when they can’t do the jobs


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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2022
Pros

Satisfaction of fixing, repairing broken vehicles and challenge of finding problems and correcting them properly.

Cons

Electrical problems are my least favorite.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2019
Pros

just seeing myself fixing something making it work as new.

Cons

pretty much loved everything I do


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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