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Industrial Machinery Mechanics

ManufacturingO*NET 49-9041.00United States

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.

COMING SOON See related ASU learning
Median annual earnings
$64,132

50th percentile, United States

Projected change
+18%

2025 to 2035

Typical education
Certificate

47.2% of the workforce

Employment
453.8K jobs

Growing to 535.26K by 2035

Explore this career by location

Compare nationwide estimates with state or county job-market data.

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Build the skills

ASU learning related to this career

These courses and certificates are connected through catalog career relationships and Lightcast skill tags.

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The work

What industrial machinery mechanics do

Tasks reported for this occupation, ordered by how often they come up in the role.

  • Repair or maintain the operating condition of industrial production or processing machinery or equipment.
  • Repair or replace broken or malfunctioning components of machinery or equipment.
  • Disassemble machinery or equipment to remove parts and make repairs.
  • Clean, lubricate, or adjust parts, equipment, or machinery.
  • Examine parts for defects, such as breakage or excessive wear.
  • Reassemble equipment after completion of inspections, testing, or repairs.
  • Operate newly repaired machinery or equipment to verify the adequacy of repairs.
  • Record repairs and maintenance performed.
  • Record parts or materials used and order or requisition new parts or materials, as necessary.
  • Observe and test the operation of machinery or equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using voltmeters or other testing devices.
  • Analyze test results, machine error messages, or information obtained from operators to diagnose equipment problems.
  • Study blueprints or manufacturers' manuals to determine correct installation or operation of machinery.
  • Cut and weld metal to repair broken metal parts, fabricate new parts, or assemble new equipment.
  • Enter codes and instructions to program computer-controlled machinery.
  • Demonstrate equipment functions and features to machine operators.

Pay and outlook

What the job pays and where it is heading

Annual earnings range

Reported earnings by percentile, United States

10th percentile
$45,493
25th percentile
$54,479
50th percentile
$64,132
75th percentile
$78,669
90th percentile
$96,156

The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $64,132 and half earn less.

Employment outlook

2025 to 2035 projection

+18%much faster than average
2025453,800 jobs
2035 projected535,259 jobs

81,459 more positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.

Preparation

Education levels

What people currently working in the career hold. These are not entry requirements.

Certificate
47.2%
High school diploma or less
39.1%
Associate degree
13.7%

Skills

Skills employers ask for

Technical skills appearing most often in job postings for this occupation.

  • Machinery
  • Hand Tools
  • Power Tool Operation
  • Industrial Repair And Maintenance
  • Blueprinting
  • Preventive Maintenance
  • Hydraulics
  • Lifting Ability
  • Welding
  • Mechanical Assembly
  • Fabrication
  • Mechanical Systems
  • Mechanical Aptitude
  • Continuous Improvement Process
  • Mechanics
  • Electrical Systems
  • Industrial Equipment
  • Machining
  • Production Equipment
  • Forklift Truck

How the work gets done

Core competencies

Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.

Equipment Maintenance
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Repairing
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Troubleshooting
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Equipment Selection
Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Systems Evaluation
Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Systems Analysis
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

In the market

Job titles and employers

Recent job postings in United States

Common job titles

  1. 01Industrial Maintenance Mechanics2,152 postings
  2. 02Industrial Mechanics1,445 postings
  3. 03Mechanical Assembly Technicians797 postings
  4. 04Mechanics625 postings
  5. 05Assembly Mechanics613 postings
  6. 06Plant Mechanics496 postings
  7. 07Electromechanical Technicians476 postings
  8. 08Manufacturing Mechanical Engineers393 postings
  9. 09Industrial Maintenance Technicians386 postings
  10. 10Production Mechanics295 postings
  11. 11Manufacturing Mechanics293 postings
  12. 12Journeyman Mechanics287 postings
  13. 13Industrial Mechanical Engineers245 postings
  14. 14Mechanical Technicians221 postings
  15. 15Electromechanical Assembly Technicians215 postings
  16. 16Mechanical Assemblers189 postings
  17. 17Industrial Equipment Mechanics184 postings
  18. 18Industrial Maintenance Mechanics/Electricians175 postings
  19. 19Maintenance Workers168 postings
  20. 20Power Plant Mechanics150 postings

Top employers

  1. 01Aerotek1,210 postings
  2. 02Cargill329 postings
  3. 03Randstad202 postings
  4. 04Boeing162 postings
  5. 05UPS148 postings
  6. 06Sargent & Lundy124 postings
  7. 07Adecco120 postings
  8. 08Express Employment Professionals120 postings
  9. 09RTX116 postings
  10. 10ManpowerGroup115 postings
  11. 11Kelly Services96 postings
  12. 12Tyson Foods92 postings
  13. 13GPAC86 postings
  14. 14Vestis83 postings
  15. 15Ford80 postings
  16. 16Aramark71 postings
  17. 17Actalent69 postings
  18. 18Stellantis69 postings
  19. 19PDS Tech66 postings
  20. 20JBS Foods64 postings

Keep looking

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