About Fluid Power Jobs

Fluid power uses liquid in various forms to lift heavy objects and to control, generate and transmit power.  The main uses include hydraulics and pneumatics including forklifts, train and large vehicle breaking systems and large construction equipment such as backhoes, dump trucks, and gantry cranes.

Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems

Hydraulic systems use wet fluids such as oil or water.  Pneumatics use gasses to create pressure.  Both systems are utilized in heavy equipment, manufacturing and transportation industries.  Diverse industries utilize hydraulic and pneumatic systems from lifting heavy materials, such as containers in a shipyard or railroad, to heavy equipment used to move large amounts of land or to lift steel girders for sky scraper construction.  Gantry cranes are commonly used to move containers to and from the docks to ships.  Those same containers are also moved to semi-trucks and onto trains.  This one piece of hydraulic equipment is commonly used throughout the world in all aspects of the international distribution chain.

Fluid Power

Fluid power jobs involve maintenance, operation, sales, engineering, and supervision. Many job titles are pertaining to the type of equipment to be serviced or driven.  Most job descriptions require certification both for technicians and drivers.  Pay scale depends upon experience.  Many jobs start at $20,000 per year up to $60,000 per year depending on experience, education and position.

Heavy Equipment

Heavy equipment jobs are in demand in the construction industry.  The U.S. Government hires independent contractors with heavy equipment licensing, education and experience.  Overseas demand is also high in oil rich nations, mining, and developing industrial nations such as Korea, India and China.  Other industries that utilize heavy equipment include agriculture, ranching, manufacturing, shipping and railroad.