Wages vary, heavy equipment automotive engineer apprentices usually start on $9.60 an hour, with experience and qualifications this rate can increase to $17 an hour plus overtime. Some experienced heavy equipment automotive engineers are paid a rate of around $25 an hour which incorporates overtime.Wage rates for experienced heavy equipment automotive engineers are among the highest of the automotive trades. The Labour Cost Index reported an average hourly rate of $22.65 an hour for heavy equipment automotive engineers in 2005, higher than the $19.81 hourly average for all trade workers.

Heavy equipment automotive engineers can progress into supervisory and management positions or become self-employed.