Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
Machines can already do 14% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 44%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 14% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2037, and 44% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 176,600 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $65,510 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 70% for contact with people.
- Also called: Construction Equipment Mechanic, Equipment Mechanic, Equipment Technician, Field Mechanic.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repair and replace damaged or worn parts | 18% | 3% to 30% | |
| Dismantle and reassemble heavy equipment using hoists and hand tools | 8% | 3% to 30% | |
| Diagnose faults or malfunctions to determine required repairs, using engine diagnostic equipment such as computerized test equipment and calibration devices | 8% | 3% to 30% | |
| Adjust, maintain, and repair or replace subassemblies, such as transmissions and crawler heads, using hand tools, jacks, and cranes | 7% | 3% to 30% | |
| Test mechanical products and equipment after repair or assembly to ensure proper performance and compliance with manufacturers' specifications | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Operate and inspect machines or heavy equipment to diagnose defects | 6% | 3% to 30% | |
| Repair, rewire, and troubleshoot electrical systems | 6% | 3% to 30% | |
| Clean, lubricate, and perform other routine maintenance work on equipment and vehicles | 6% | 3% to 30% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers43% of tasks by 2035 · US median $109,910
- Pile Driver Operators33% of tasks by 2035 · US median $73,300
- Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians41% of tasks by 2035 · US median $56,550
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists34% of tasks by 2035 · US median $61,770
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2037. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines?
Machines can do 14% of the tasks of mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines today and 44% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 49-3042.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/mobile-heavy-equipment-mechanics-except-engines/