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Industrial Machinery Mechanics in Iowa

Thinking about a career as an Industrial Machinery Mechanics in Iowa? Here’s what the data says. 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. Excludes “Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines” (49-3042), and “Maintenance Workers, Machinery” (49-9043).

What do Industrial Machinery Mechanics Make in Iowa?

For a industrial machinery mechanics working in Iowa, the typical annual salary is $65,090 per year (or roughly $31.30/hour).Annual wages span from $47,580 at the 10th percentile to $83,960 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$47,580	$22.87
25th percentile	$58,210	$27.99
Median (50th)	$65,090	$31.30
75th percentile	$74,260	$35.70
90th percentile	$83,960	$40.36

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Iowa compared to the national average — is 1.37, indicating that industrial machinery mechanics are more concentrated here than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, industrial machinery mechanics earn a median of $31,702 per year ($15.24/hour), higher than the Iowa median.

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 74,714 industrial machinery mechanics nationwide. In Iowa alone, around 5,860 people work in this role. That’s in line with the typical state median of 5,860.

Top Iowa Metros for Industrial Machinery Mechanics

The largest metro-area employers of industrial machinery mechanics in Iowa.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	830	$65,840
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	720	$80,090
Cedar Rapids, IA	490	$73,610
Sioux City, IA-NE-SD	340	$67,140
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA	310	$63,960
Dubuque, IA	150	$69,210
Ames, IA	120	$74,510
Iowa City, IA	110	$63,150

Top States for Industrial Machinery Mechanics Employment

The table below shows the states where the most industrial machinery mechanics work.

State	Number Employed
Texas	57,150
California	25,790
Ohio	20,180
Michigan	18,850
Pennsylvania	18,500
Indiana	17,700
Alabama	17,110
North Carolina	15,650
Wisconsin	14,500
Florida	13,820
Georgia	13,010
New York	12,630
Kentucky	10,420
Washington	10,300
Tennessee	10,100
South Carolina	9,520
Virginia	9,500
Illinois	9,460
New Jersey	9,110
Arkansas	6,770

Highest-Paying States for Industrial Machinery Mechanics

These states pay the most for industrial machinery mechanics.

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

Skills

The most important industrial machinery mechanics skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

The abilities that matter most for industrial machinery mechanics, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Common tasks 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.
• 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.

Work Activities

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
• Getting Information
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
• Controlling Machines and Processes
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Handling and Moving Objects
• Performing General Physical Activities

Tools & Technology

Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Several college majors map to this occupation:

• Heavy Equipment Maintenance
• Energy Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians

Related Careers

Careers similar to industrial machinery mechanics include:

• Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
• Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
• Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
• Maintenance Workers, Machinery
• Millwrights
• Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers

Also Known As

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, Aviation Support Equipment Repairer, Bag Adjuster, Bag Machine Adjuster, Bakery Machine Mechanic, Belt Repairer, Boilerhouse Mechanic, Breakdown Man.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 49-9041.00