Best colleges for Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top colleges for Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians by graduate earnings are Warren County Career Center ($70,305), Ranken Technical College ($70,010) and Gateway Community and Technical College ($69,378), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Warren County Career Center (Lebanon, OH): $70,305, 23 graduates a year
- Ranken Technical College (Saint Louis, MO): $70,010, 35 graduates a year
- Gateway Community and Technical College (Florence, KY): $69,378, 123 graduates a year
- Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology (Okmulgee, OK): $68,422, 22 graduates a year
- Dakota County Technical College (Rosemount, MN): $67,618, 20 graduates a year
Compare 300 U.S. colleges offering Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 42 states.
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $53,226 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 47.03 and the Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines occupation (BLS SOC).
About Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians programs
The Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians program focuses on training students to service and repair heavy machinery and industrial equipment. This program is ideal for individuals interested in mechanics and repair technologies, providing them with the skills needed to diagnose and fix complex mechanical issues in various settings, including construction and manufacturing environments.
Learn more about Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians →
Students in this program will gain core skills in mechanical systems, customer service, and safety protocols. Coursework typically covers topics such as reading technical manuals, understanding blueprints, and performing hands-on repairs and maintenance on heavy equipment.
Top 25 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Warren County Career Center Lebanon, OH Public · Certificate | $70,305 | 23 | 77% | — | — |
| 2 | Ranken Technical College Saint Louis, MO Private not-for-profit · Certificate | $70,010 | 35 | 53% | $17,520 | $12,000 |
| 3 | Gateway Community and Technical College Florence, KY Public · Certificate | $69,378 | 123 | 59% | — | $5,625 |
| 4 | Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology Okmulgee, OK Public · Associate degree | $68,422 | 22 | 42% | — | $11,667 |
| 5 | Dakota County Technical College Rosemount, MN Public · Associate degree | $67,618 | 20 | 58% | — | $12,000 |
| 6 | Bluegrass Community and Technical College Lexington, KY Public · Certificate | $65,743 | 474 | 43% | — | $9,250 |
| 7 | Itawamba Community College Fulton, MS Public · Associate degree | $64,343 | 31 | 50% | — | — |
| 8 | Laramie County Community College Cheyenne, WY Public · Certificate | $64,226 | 37 | 38% | — | — |
| 9 | Georgia Northwestern Technical College Rome, GA Public · Associate degree | $62,982 | 249 | 43% | — | — |
| 10 | Rend Lake College Ina, IL Public · Certificate | $61,677 | 80 | 63% | — | — |
| 11 | Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College Bowling Green, KY Public · Certificate | $61,026 | 375 | 58% | — | $8,693 |
| 12 | Elizabethtown Community and Technical College Elizabethtown, KY Public · Certificate | $59,458 | 303 | 59% | — | $8,962 |
| 13 | Jefferson Community and Technical College Louisville, KY Public · Certificate | $59,047 | 172 | 35% | — | $5,500 |
| 14 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Murfreesboro Murfreesboro, TN Public · Certificate | $57,632 | 61 | 76% | — | — |
| 15 | Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PA Public · Associate degree | $56,365 | 32 | 53% | — | $14,750 |
| 16 | Owensboro Community and Technical College Owensboro, KY Public · Certificate | $56,300 | 228 | 54% | — | $8,200 |
| 17 | Somerset Community College Somerset, KY Public · Certificate | $55,793 | 153 | 43% | — | — |
| 18 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI Public · Associate degree | $55,532 | 36 | 47% | — | $13,000 |
| 19 | San Joaquin Valley College - Visalia Visalia, CA Private for-profit · Certificate | $55,314 | 53 | 36% | $30,518 | $9,500 |
| 20 | San Joaquin Valley College - Ontario Ontario, CA Private for-profit · Certificate | $55,314 | 31 | 64% | $26,900 | $9,500 |
| 21 | San Joaquin Valley College - Modesto Salida, CA Private for-profit · Certificate | $55,314 | 69 | 77% | $25,571 | $9,500 |
| 22 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Dickson Dickson, TN Public · Certificate | $54,320 | 59 | 74% | — | — |
| 23 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - McMinnville McMinnville, TN Public · Certificate | $53,760 | 31 | 67% | — | — |
| 24 | South Georgia Technical College Americus, GA Public · Associate degree | $53,379 | 31 | 61% | — | — |
| 25 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest Newbern, TN Public · Certificate | $53,226 | 58 | 69% | — | — |
Specializations within Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians
3 of the 3 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 47.03 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance Technology/CIP 47.0303
Technician 9,155 graduates / yr268 institutions39 states - Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technology/CIP 47.0302
Technician 859 graduates / yr53 institutions23 states - Heavy/CIP 47.0399
Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/ Technicians partial data69 graduates / yr3 institutions3 states
Offered across 42 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 49-3042, Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians program can pursue careers as technicians in various industries. The job outlook is promising, with a projected growth rate of 5.8% and approximately 16,500 annual openings. The median wage for this field is $63,980, and a high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 47.03.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 47.03 (Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians) maps to 9 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 47-4021 | Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers |
| 49-3042 | Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Enginesprimary |
| 49-3043 | Rail Car Repairers |
| 49-9012 | Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door |
| 49-9041 | Industrial Machinery Mechanics |
| 49-9043 | Maintenance Workers, Machinery |
| 49-9044 | Millwrights |
| 49-9045 | Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons |
| 49-9081 | Wind Turbine Service Technicians |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- 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.
- Read and understand operating manuals, blueprints, and technical drawings.
- Dismantle and reassemble heavy equipment using hoists and hand tools.
- Overhaul and test machines or equipment to ensure operating efficiency.
Common questions
What is the focus of the Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance program?+
The program focuses on training students to service and repair heavy machinery and industrial equipment.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
Students will learn mechanical systems, customer service, safety protocols, and hands-on repair techniques.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is strong, with a growth rate of 5.8% and about 16,500 annual openings.
What education is required to enter this field?+
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for entry-level positions.
How much do Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians graduates earn?+
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $53,226, College Scorecard (2019); the Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines occupation pays about $69,240 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians?+
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians maps to CIP 47.03 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card