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Industrial Machinery Mechanics: Job Description
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.
The Daily Work of Industrial Machinery Mechanics Take On?
The day-to-day responsibilities of industrial machinery mechanics include:
- 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.
- Clean, lubricate, or adjust parts, equipment, or machinery.
- Disassemble machinery or equipment to remove parts and make repairs.
- Reassemble equipment after completion of inspections, testing, or repairs.
- Examine parts for defects, such as breakage or excessive wear.
- Record repairs and maintenance performed.
- Operate newly repaired machinery or equipment to verify the adequacy of repairs.
Skills and Knowledge
Effective industrial machinery mechanics draw on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Most Important Skills
The abilities most important for this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Types of Industrial Machinery Mechanics Jobs
This career also goes by job titles like:
- Anode Rebuilder
- Appliance Fixer
- Appliance Mechanic
- Area Mechanic
- Assembly Mechanic
- Auto Equipment Maintenance Servicer (Automotive Equipment Maintenance Servicer)
- Automatic Pinsetter Adjuster
- Automotive Maintenance Equipment Servicer
How Many Industrial Machinery Mechanics Are There?
There are roughly 74,714 industrial machinery mechanics working in the United States today. Employment is projected to grow by +7.8% over the projection horizon.
Salary for Industrial Machinery Mechanics
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $31,702 |
| Hourly median | $15.24 |
| 10th percentile | $22,883 |
| 25th percentile | $27,292 |
| 75th percentile | $36,111 |
| 90th percentile | $40,521 |
Wages vary widely based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Industrial Machinery Mechanics Make in Different U.S. States?
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $86,590 |
| District of Columbia | $85,380 |
| Hawaii | $80,180 |
| Nevada | $75,490 |
| Washington | $75,220 |
| Wyoming | $74,510 |
| California | $73,840 |
| Colorado | $73,770 |
| Connecticut | $73,530 |
| New Jersey | $73,000 |
| Oregon | $71,430 |
| Massachusetts | $70,540 |
| Kansas | $70,170 |
| Montana | $69,880 |
| Utah | $69,670 |
| Minnesota | $68,160 |
| New York | $67,010 |
| Illinois | $66,770 |
| Indiana | $65,670 |
| Delaware | $65,560 |
| Maine | $65,190 |
| Iowa | $65,090 |
| North Dakota | $65,070 |
| Arizona | $64,840 |
| Wisconsin | $64,520 |
| Maryland | $64,080 |
| Kentucky | $64,060 |
| Rhode Island | $63,870 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,830 |
| Louisiana | $63,830 |
| Ohio | $63,650 |
| Nebraska | $63,130 |
| Michigan | $63,030 |
| Virginia | $62,940 |
| Tennessee | $62,830 |
| Idaho | $62,570 |
| Oklahoma | $62,530 |
| Vermont | $62,520 |
| Texas | $61,590 |
| West Virginia | $61,400 |
| New Hampshire | $61,360 |
| Missouri | $61,270 |
| South Carolina | $61,260 |
| North Carolina | $60,860 |
| Alabama | $60,390 |
| Florida | $60,340 |
| Georgia | $60,100 |
| South Dakota | $59,690 |
| New Mexico | $59,420 |
| Arkansas | $58,410 |
| Mississippi | $57,220 |
| Guam | $55,060 |
| Puerto Rico | $34,770 |
Top-Paying U.S. Regions
Pay for industrial machinery mechanics vary by region. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $74,181 | 10.9% | 0.74 |
| Rocky Mountains | $71,205 | 3.5% | 1.12 |
| New England | $68,422 | 3.4% | 0.75 |
| Middle Atlantic | $66,756 | 10.5% | 0.81 |
| Plains States | $65,899 | 7.1% | 1.24 |
| Great Lakes | $64,470 | 19.0% | 1.54 |
| Southwest | $61,794 | 16.6% | 1.42 |
| Southeast | $61,160 | 28.2% | 1.47 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Industrial Machinery Mechanics
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewiston, ID-WA | ID | $93,770 | 140 |
| Fairbanks-College, AK | AK | $93,480 | 90 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | WV | $91,430 | 230 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | WA | $89,340 | 510 |
| Kokomo, IN | IN | $89,250 | 260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $86,120 | 2,650 |
| Vallejo, CA | CA | $85,640 | 510 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | WA | $84,770 | 270 |
Top Industries Employing Industrial Machinery Mechanics
The largest employers of industrial machinery mechanics are concentrated in the following sectors:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 223,700 | $64,680 |
| Wholesale Trade | 62,970 | $62,340 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 52,870 | $60,290 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 18,570 | $64,230 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 10,160 | $76,030 |
| Utilities | 10,060 | $96,370 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 8,490 | $59,050 |
| Construction | 7,670 | $59,790 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Tools and Technology
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP software (hot technology)
The Day-to-Day Environment
The on-the-job environment of industrial machinery mechanics tends to involve the following characteristics:
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Contact With Others
Education and Training
Typical industrial machinery mechanics positions require some college, no degree as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), signaling the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers (Primary-Short)
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines (Primary-Short)
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door (Primary-Long)
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery (Primary-Short)
- Millwrights (Primary-Long)
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers (Supplemental)
- Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers (Supplemental)
- Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers (Supplemental)
Where to Study
Future industrial machinery mechanics often complete programs in:
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians
4 programs across 2 majors
References
This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 49-9041.00 (Industrial Machinery Mechanics).
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