Also called: Mining Equipment Mechanic, Mine Maintenance Technician
Repairs the diesel and hydraulic machines that keep a mine producing, often right where they broke down.
You get a radio call that a loader blew a hydraulic hose 2 miles in. You load your truck with parts and head down, fix it under headlights, and get it running again. Then you rebuild a bolter's drill head in the underground shop.
Estimated from BLS mobile heavy equipment mechanics in mining.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 1 year after high school. High school plus diesel or hydraulics training and MSHA certification.
Ways in: Trade school, On-the-job training, Certification. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Diesel Technology (trade school), Heavy Equipment Technology.
Growing faster than average (about 6% over 10 years). Mobile heavy equipment mechanics overall.
Low risk for 10 years. Sensors predict breakdowns sooner, but fixing a broken loader deep underground stays hands-on.
Classes: Diesel or auto mechanics CTE class, Welding CTE class.
Official data: O*NET occupation 49-3042.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.