💡 Why it matters: Generators, trucks and construction machines keep many homes, farms and businesses running. Skilled mechanics stay busy and can earn well with experience.
🌍 Around the world
- Nigeria: Many Nigerian homes and businesses use generators, and construction sites rely on heavy machines.
💰 What it can pay
🇳🇬 Nigeria
- Starting out
- ₦600k – ₦1.6M
- Mid-career
- ₦2M – ₦5M
- Senior
- ₦5M – ₦13M
≈ ₦167k – ₦417k a month mid-career. Indicative estimate by Incusim.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Closest UK profile: Heavy vehicle technician. Typical starter to experienced salary. National Careers Service, 2026
🇺🇸 United States
Closest US category: Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians. Median pay; low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025
🇨🇦 Canada
Closest Canadian category: Heavy equipment mechanic. Hourly wage low/median/high x 2,080 hours. Job Bank (Government of Canada), 2023-2024
Yearly pay before tax. UK, US and Canada figures come from the official sources named on each card. Nigeria has no official salary survey, so those are our indicative estimates. Real pay depends on the employer, the place, your skills and experience.
🛠️ What you actually do
- Service and repair generators
- Fix diesel engines on trucks and construction machines
- Find faults in fuel and electrical systems
- Do regular maintenance so machines last
- Work with owners to avoid breakdowns
⚡ Skills you'll need
- Hands-on skill
- Problem solving
- Safety awareness
- Honesty
- Physical fitness
Get ready at school
🇳🇬 Nigeria
- Apprenticeship in a generator or equipment workshop
- Manufacturer training for brands such as Perkins or Caterpillar
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- Apprenticeship with a dealer, haulage or plant hire firm
- College course, then trainee role
🇺🇸 United States
- Apprenticeship through a union or an employer (typically 3 to 5 years, varies by trade)
- Entry-level job with on-the-job training
🇨🇦 Canada
- Apprenticeship: classroom blocks plus paid on-the-job hours (varies by province)
- Pre-apprenticeship or trades college program, then apprenticeship
🗺️ Your path to this career
- 1Learn engine basics early
- 2Do an apprenticeship or technical college course
- 3Gain brand-specific training
- 4Work for an equipment company or workshop
- 5Run a service business or lead a team
⏰ A day in the life
A bakery's generator keeps shutting down, so you check the oil, filters and fuel. You find clogged fuel lines, clean them, test the engine under load and set a service schedule.