Heavy Equipment Technician

Hands-On Training and Certifications for Today's Advanced Equipment

CWI Student working on a piece of heavy equipment

Program Overview

Ready to gear up for a high-demand career in equipment technology? College of Western Idaho (CWI) offers an immersive Heavy Equipment Technician program, perfect for those eager to excel in the construction and agricultural equipment repair industry. This program, accredited by the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) Foundation, equips you with the skills to diagnose and repair heavy equipment, covering everything from basic theory to advanced troubleshooting.

You will embark on a journey, engaging in hands-on training and internships, which not only solidify your classroom learning but enhance your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. With access to more than a dozen pieces of construction, material handling, and agricultural equipment, you will practice real repair procedures and  troubleshooting and become comfortable with manufacturer-specific tools. The program additionally includes opportunities to earn numerous industry-recognized certifications, boosting your credibility and job marketability upon graduation.

Degree or Certificate Type

Associate of Applied Science

Advanced Technical Certificate

Intermediate Technical Certificate

Time to Complete

1.5 – 2 years

Primary Location

Program Exploration

Program Exploration – April 29

Learn more about the Heavy Equipment Technician program, meet the instructors, and get your questions answered!

RSVP TODAY

Students working on an engine

Learning Opportunities

  • Real Equipment, Real Skills: Train on actual equipment, applying your knowledge to practical scenarios.
  • Extensive Hands-on Training: Dive into hands-on learning, from basic repairs to advanced diagnostics.
  • Internships & Career Connections: Gain invaluable experience and build your professional network through partnerships with local companies.
  • Industry-Recognized Certifications: Earn certifications that validate your technical expertise and enhance your career prospects.
  • Comprehensive Program Structure: Benefit from a well-rounded program covering all aspects of heavy equipment technology.

Local Industry Partnerships

Your education at CWI is supported by local industry providing direction on curriculum, access to shop tours, original equpment manufacturer (OEM) product-specific training, and equipment donations. Partnerships include Modern Machinery, Agri-Service, Vermeer, Mountain West, Coastline Equipment, and Sunroc Corporation.

Area of Study

Degrees & Certificates

Heavy Equipment Technician – Associate of Applied Science Degree

Heavy Equipment Technician – Advanced Technical Certificate

Heavy Equipment Technician – Intermediate Technical Certificate

Heavy Equipment Technician working on tracker

Career Opportunities

  • Maintenance and Repair Workers, General

    Perform work involving the skills of two or more maintenance or craft occupations to keep machines, mechanical equipment, or the structure of a building in repair. Duties may involve pipe fitting; HVAC maintenance; insulating; welding; machining; carpentry; repairing electrical or mechanical equipment; installing, aligning, and balancing new equipment; and repairing buildings, floors, or stairs. Excludes “Facilities Managers” (11-3013) and “Maintenance Workers, Machinery” (49-9043).

    135

    Annual Openings*

    $17.97

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $37,378

    Annual Median Salary

    21.69%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers

    Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers. May also advise customers on recommended services. Excludes team or work leaders.

    54

    Annual Openings*

    $29.03

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $60,382

    Annual Median Salary

    17.14%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Industrial Machinery Mechanics

    Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems. May also install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to plans. Excludes “Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines” (49-3042), and “Maintenance Workers, Machinery” (49-9043).

    44

    Annual Openings*

    $23.18

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $48,214

    Annual Median Salary

    29.78%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

    Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines. Includes mechanics working primarily with automobile or marine diesel engines.

    39

    Annual Openings*

    $22.47

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $46,738

    Annual Median Salary

    9.5%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Machinists

    Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal. Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments. May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures. Machinists who primarily program or operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment are classified in “Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators and Programmers” (51-9160).

    28

    Annual Openings*

    $22.72

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $47,258

    Annual Median Salary

    17.7%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines

    Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, and conveyors, used in construction, logging, and mining. Excludes “Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists” (49-3031) and “Rail Car Repairers” (49-3043).

    19

    Annual Openings*

    $22.96

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $47,757

    Annual Median Salary

    23.39%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians

    Apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff. May perform time and motion studies on worker operations in a variety of industries for purposes such as establishing standard production rates or improving efficiency.

    11

    Annual Openings*

    $23.27

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $48,402

    Annual Median Salary

    1.4%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians

    Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, dairy equipment, and irrigation systems. Excludes “Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists” (49-3031).

    11

    Annual Openings*

    $22.55

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $46,904

    Annual Median Salary

    4.02%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other

    All engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, not listed separately.

    10

    Annual Openings*

    $37.77

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $78,562

    Annual Median Salary

    5.49%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Millwrights

    Install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, or other drawings.

    6

    Annual Openings*

    $28.90

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $60,112

    Annual Median Salary

    6.59%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment

    Repair, test, adjust, or install electronic equipment, such as industrial controls, transmitters, and antennas. Excludes “Avionics Technicians” (49-2091), “Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment” (49-2093), and “Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles” (49-2096).

    4

    Annual Openings*

    $29.34

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $61,027

    Annual Median Salary

    15.64%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Rail Car Repairers

    Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul railroad rolling stock, mine cars, or mass transit rail cars. Excludes “Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists” (49-3031).

    3

    Annual Openings*

    $27.86

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $57,949

    Annual Median Salary

    15.18%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Maintenance Workers, Machinery

    Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance. Excludes “Maintenance and Repair Workers, General” (49-9071).

    3

    Annual Openings*

    $23.38

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $48,630

    Annual Median Salary

    30.65%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers

    Help installation, maintenance, and repair workers in maintenance, parts replacement, and repair of vehicles, industrial machinery, and electrical and electronic equipment. Perform duties such as furnishing tools, materials, and supplies to other workers; cleaning work area, machines, and tools; and holding materials or tools for other workers.

    3

    Annual Openings*

    $14.29

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $29,723

    Annual Median Salary

    23.73%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers

    Assemble, install, repair, or maintain electric or hydraulic freight or passenger elevators, escalators, or dumbwaiters.

    N/A

    Annual Openings*

    $45.30

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $94,224

    Annual Median Salary

    N/A

    Growth (2021 - 2031)*

  • Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment

    Install, adjust, or maintain mobile electronics communication equipment, including sound, sonar, security, navigation, and surveillance systems on trains, watercraft, or other mobile equipment. Excludes “Avionics Technicians” (49-2091) and “Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles” (49-2096).

    N/A

    Annual Openings*

    $33.93

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $70,574

    Annual Median Salary

    N/A

    Growth (2021 - 2031)*

  • Wind Turbine Service Technicians

    Inspect, diagnose, adjust, or repair wind turbines. Perform maintenance on wind turbine equipment including resolving electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic malfunctions.

    N/A

    Annual Openings*

    $22.28

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $46,342

    Annual Median Salary

    N/A

    Growth (2021 - 2031)*

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*Data sourced from Lightcast™ (2023), a global leader in labor market analytics, and limited to the state of Idaho. Contact CWI Institutional Research for questions regarding this data.

Admissions

Step 1

  • Apply to CWI.
  • Choose Heavy Equipment Technician as your major.

Step 2

  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

STEP 3

Academic Calendar New Student Checklist

    Program Accreditation

    The Heavy Equipment Technician program at College of Western Idaho is accredited by:

    The AED Foundation
    650 E Algonquin Rd, Suite 305
    Schaumburg, IL 60173
    630.574.0650

    Clubs

    Graphic of tool with purple and gold flare like symbol
    SkillsUSA

    College of Western Idaho is proud to compete in SkillsUSA, a nationwide organization seeking to improve the quality of our nation's future skilled workforce through personal, workplace, and technical skills training.

    News

    Heavy Equipment Technician Program students are furthering their industry knowledge and skills thanks to a new tractor donated by Agri-Service.

    Read more about Agri-Service Donation Helps Heavy Equipment Technician Students Learn More Job-Ready Skills

    Training opportunities for Heavy Equipment Technician students at College of Western Idaho have been elevated thanks to a newly purchased dozer, in part, due to an industry partner.

    Read more about New Dozer Helping Heavy Equipment Students Succeed

    Through College of Western Idaho, Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology student, Michael Hertel, has discovered new studies and industries — some of which he hopes will lead to a life-...

    Read more about Learning New Career Paths Through CWI

    Are you interested in learning more about careers and programs to help you get the job you want? If so, plan to attend one of College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Program Exploration Events!

    Read more about Find Out More About CWI Programs through Exploration Events

    Hands-on training opportunities for Heavy Equipment Technician students at College of Western Idaho have been elevated thanks to a donation of two Ford F750 trucks.

    Read more about Heavy Equipment Receives Donation from Cobalt Truck Equipment

    Modern Machinery donates $10,000 to empower students in CWI's Heavy Equipment Technician program.

    Read more about Donation Empowers Students in Heavy Equipment Program

    Three of CWI’s Heavy Equipment Technician students were recently awarded $500 after completing internships with Modern Machinery.

    Read more about Local Company Awards Students $500 Following Internship

    CWI swept away the competition with 37 medals at this year's SkillsUSA State Conference.

    Read more about CWI SkillsUSA Wins Big at State Competition

    A group of CWI students and recent graduates also won medals in a school record five events.

    Read more about CWI Celebrates First SkillsUSA National Title

    For CWI alum Steve Silva, a chance encounter turned into a golden opportunity when he decided to get involved with SkillsUSA.

    Read more about Chance Encounter Leads to Golden Opportunity

    Liz Driml's goal of obtaining a GED quickly turned into the goal of earning a two-year degree at CWI.

    Read more about Learning How to Read, Write, and Succeed

    Students from the CWI Heavy Duty Truck Technician program experienced a valuable field trip on March 9 to the East Boise Port of Entry.

    Read more about CWI’s Heavy Duty Truck Students Join Inspections at Port of Entry
    View all news

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