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Maintenance Workers, Machinery: Job Description
Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.
What Do Maintenance Workers, Machinery Do?
The day-to-day responsibilities of maintenance workers, machinery span:
- 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.
- Collaborate with other workers to repair or move machines, machine parts, or equipment.
- Read work orders and specifications to determine machines and equipment requiring repair or maintenance.
Key Skills and Knowledge
Top maintenance workers, machinery rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Most Important Skills
The competencies that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Top Knowledge Areas
Types of Maintenance Workers, Machinery Jobs
Common job titles for this role include:
- Air Deodorizer Servicer
- Aircraft Fueler
- Airplane Fueler
- Airplane Refueler
- Airport Refueling Handler
- Alemite Operator (Alemite Op)
- Automatic Pinsetter Mechanic (AT Pinsetter Mechanic)
- Belt Changer
Job Outlook
There are about 409,244 maintenance workers, machinery working in the United States today. Employment is projected to grow by +6.1% over the projection horizon.
Salary for Maintenance Workers, Machinery
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $68,487 |
| Hourly median | $32.93 |
| 10th percentile | $42,885 |
| 25th percentile | $55,686 |
| 75th percentile | $81,288 |
| 90th percentile | $94,089 |
Wages vary widely based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Maintenance Workers, Machinery Make in Different U.S. States?
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Wyoming | $85,830 |
| Alaska | $75,670 |
| New Hampshire | $75,060 |
| Hawaii | $69,620 |
| California | $66,120 |
| Tennessee | $64,980 |
| Massachusetts | $64,420 |
| Virginia | $63,920 |
| Utah | $63,820 |
| Minnesota | $63,450 |
| Washington | $63,420 |
| Pennsylvania | $62,970 |
| Delaware | $62,790 |
| Connecticut | $62,640 |
| Ohio | $62,610 |
| South Carolina | $62,610 |
| New York | $62,450 |
| Iowa | $61,990 |
| Colorado | $61,950 |
| Kentucky | $61,720 |
| Oklahoma | $61,240 |
| Missouri | $61,040 |
| Nevada | $60,970 |
| Louisiana | $60,740 |
| Wisconsin | $60,700 |
| Illinois | $60,310 |
| Florida | $60,010 |
| Michigan | $59,960 |
| North Carolina | $59,390 |
| Rhode Island | $59,200 |
| Kansas | $59,180 |
| Maryland | $59,130 |
| Indiana | $58,930 |
| Nebraska | $58,800 |
| Texas | $57,500 |
| Oregon | $56,600 |
| Maine | $56,560 |
| Arizona | $55,860 |
| Georgia | $55,390 |
| West Virginia | $55,380 |
| Alabama | $55,320 |
| Idaho | $54,770 |
| Mississippi | $54,480 |
| District of Columbia | $51,800 |
| New Jersey | $49,530 |
| Arkansas | $49,150 |
| South Dakota | $48,350 |
| Guam | $44,280 |
| New Mexico | $35,360 |
| Puerto Rico | $29,660 |
Where Maintenance Workers, Machinery Earn the Most
Pay for maintenance workers, machinery differ across the country. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $64,576 | 9.8% | 0.62 |
| New England | $62,759 | 2.5% | 0.96 |
| Rocky Mountains | $62,334 | 5.1% | 1.80 |
| Middle Atlantic | $60,992 | 9.9% | 0.88 |
| Great Lakes | $60,804 | 11.2% | 0.94 |
| Plains States | $60,630 | 9.1% | 1.64 |
| Southeast | $59,399 | 32.0% | 1.57 |
| Southwest | $58,031 | 19.7% | 1.87 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | TX | $89,950 | 340 |
| Columbus, IN | IN | $82,930 | 70 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | TN | $82,290 | 70 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | WA | $82,040 | 290 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | NH | $81,860 | 90 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | VA | $80,790 | 60 |
| New Haven, CT | CT | $80,660 | 130 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | CA | $80,290 | 170 |
Which Industries Hire Maintenance Workers, Machinery
The largest employers of maintenance workers, machinery are concentrated in the following sectors:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 31,060 | $61,470 |
| Wholesale Trade | 4,680 | $55,220 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 4,030 | $58,130 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 2,730 | $70,760 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 2,080 | $48,230 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 1,990 | $50,910 |
| Construction | 1,980 | $60,320 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1,400 | $65,500 |
Below are examples of industries where maintenance workers, machinery work:
Tech Stack
- 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)
What the Workplace Is Like
Daily working conditions for maintenance workers, machinery is shaped by the following characteristics:
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Exposed to Contaminants
- Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
- Spend Time Standing
How to Become Maintenance Workers, Machinery
Most maintenance workers, machinery positions require some college, no degree as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Related Careers
Similar Occupations
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers (Primary-Short)
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines (Primary-Short)
- Rail Car Repairers (Primary-Long)
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door (Primary-Long)
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics (Primary-Short)
- Helpers–Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers (Supplemental)
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers (Supplemental)
- Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (Supplemental)
Degree Programs
Students preparing for maintenance workers, machinery commonly pursue programs in:
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians
1 programs across 1 majors
References
Statistics shown above are sourced from 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: 49-9043.00 (Maintenance Workers, Machinery).