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Maintenance Workers, Machinery

ManufacturingO*NET 49-9043.00United States

Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.

COMING SOON See related ASU learning
Median annual earnings
$60,835

50th percentile, United States

Projected change
+2%

2025 to 2035

Typical education
Certificate

54.1% of the workforce

Employment
60.84K jobs

Growing to 62.05K 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 maintenance workers, machinery do

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

  • Dismantle machines and remove parts for repair, using hand tools, chain falls, jacks, cranes, or hoists.
  • Reassemble machines after the completion of repair or maintenance work.
  • Record production, repair, and machine maintenance information.
  • Lubricate or apply adhesives or other materials to machines, machine parts, or other equipment according to specified procedures.
  • Install, replace, or change machine parts and attachments, according to production specifications.
  • Set up and operate machines, and adjust controls to regulate operations.
  • Inspect or test damaged machine parts, and mark defective areas or advise supervisors of repair needs.
  • Read work orders and specifications to determine machines and equipment requiring repair or maintenance.
  • Collaborate with other workers to repair or move machines, machine parts, or equipment.
  • Start machines and observe mechanical operation to determine efficiency and to detect problems.
  • Transport machine parts, tools, equipment, and other material between work areas and storage, using cranes, hoists, or dollies.
  • Collect and discard worn machine parts and other refuse to maintain machinery and work areas.
  • Inventory and requisition machine parts, equipment, and other supplies so that stock can be maintained and replenished.
  • Remove hardened material from machines or machine parts, using abrasives, power and hand tools, jackhammers, sledgehammers, or other equipment.
  • Clean machines and machine parts, using cleaning solvents, cloths, air guns, hoses, vacuums, or other equipment.
  • Replace, empty, or replenish machine and equipment containers such as gas tanks or boxes.
  • Replace or repair metal, wood, leather, glass, or other lining in machines, or in equipment compartments or containers.

Pay and outlook

What the job pays and where it is heading

Annual earnings range

Reported earnings by percentile, United States

10th percentile
$41,975
25th percentile
$48,905
50th percentile
$60,835
75th percentile
$75,219
90th percentile
$88,608

The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $60,835 and half earn less.

Employment outlook

2025 to 2035 projection

+2%average or slower
202560,844 jobs
2035 projected62,054 jobs

1,210 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
54.1%
High school diploma or less
40.7%
Associate degree
2.6%
Bachelor's degree
2.6%

Skills

Skills employers ask for

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

  • Machinery
  • Hydraulics
  • Blueprinting
  • Preventive Maintenance
  • Machine Tools
  • Machining
  • Lathes
  • CNC Machining
  • Computer Numerical Control (CNC)
  • Valves (Piping)
  • Welding
  • Grinding Machine
  • Hand Tools
  • Equipment Repair
  • Micrometer
  • Power Tool Operation
  • Mechanical Systems
  • Fabrication
  • Industrial Equipment
  • Dial Indicators

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.
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Repairing
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Troubleshooting
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
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.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
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.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Installation
Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
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.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
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. 01Machine Repair Technicians87 postings
  2. 02Machine Repair Mechanics74 postings
  3. 03Machine Repair Journeymen29 postings
  4. 04Maintenance Repairers17 postings
  5. 05Maintenance and Repair Managers9 postings
  6. 06Machinist Apprentices8 postings
  7. 07Machine Builders6 postings
  8. 08Maintenance Repair Technicians6 postings
  9. 09Repair Specialists6 postings
  10. 10Machine Repairmen3 postings
  11. 11Coffee Specialists2 postings
  12. 12Maintenance Team Members2 postings
  13. 13Mobile Repair Technicians2 postings
  14. 14Repair Supervisors2 postings
  15. 15Repair and Maintenance Technicians2 postings
  16. 16EDM Machinists1 postings
  17. 17Field Service Representatives1 postings
  18. 18Group Heads1 postings
  19. 19Hydraulic Mechanics1 postings
  20. 20Machinist Toolmakers1 postings

Top employers

  1. 01General Motors40 postings
  2. 02Boeing21 postings
  3. 03Aerotek18 postings
  4. 04Stellantis15 postings
  5. 05Caterpillar13 postings
  6. 06Woodward13 postings
  7. 07Haworth8 postings
  8. 08Snapon8 postings
  9. 09Amentum7 postings
  10. 10Ardagh Group7 postings
  11. 11Gm Cruise7 postings
  12. 12Cummins6 postings
  13. 13Klein Tools6 postings
  14. 14Lincoln Electric6 postings
  15. 15Snap-on6 postings
  16. 16Java Solutions5 postings
  17. 17Lockheed Martin5 postings
  18. 18Flex-N-Gate4 postings
  19. 19Ford4 postings
  20. 20Harley-Davidson4 postings

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