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Industrial Machinery Mechanics

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipModerate pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

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.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $64,520 Median per year · $31.02/hr Most earn $46,120–$95,170

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Disassemble machinery or equipment to remove parts and make repairs.
  • Clean, lubricate, or adjust parts, equipment, or machinery.
  • Clean, lubricate, or adjust parts, equipment, or machinery.
  • Study blueprints or manufacturers' manuals to determine correct installation or operation of machinery.
  • Reassemble equipment after completion of inspections, testing, or repairs.
  • Cut and weld metal to repair broken metal parts, fabricate new parts, or assemble new equipment.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
18% more jobs by 2035, much faster than average · about 44,400 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Commercial and industrial machinery and equipment (except automotive and electronic) repair and maintenance12.3%
  • Machinery manufacturing4.1%
  • Chemical manufacturing3.5%
  • Plastics product manufacturing3.3%
  • Fabricated metal product manufacturing3.1%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipExperience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Industrial Machinery Mechanics usually aren't hired straight out of school. Most people first finish high school, then spend about 1 to 2 years in a related maintenance role, often while doing an apprenticeship or certificate program, before taking on this job.

  1. High school diploma (or GED)

    4 years

    Build a strong base in math, science, and shop or technical classes, since these skills are used every day in machine repair.

  2. Maintenance Worker, Machinery

    1-2 years

    Start as a helper on maintenance crews, learning to use tools, read manuals, and do basic repairs while you complete an apprenticeship or industrial maintenance certificate.

  3. Industrial Machinery Mechanic

    Ongoing

    Once you have hands-on experience and your training, you can repair, adjust, and maintain production machinery on your own.

Where it can lead

  1. Lead Industrial Machinery Mechanic

    3-5 years of experience first

    You take on more complex repairs and guide other mechanics on the job, which usually requires strong troubleshooting skills and reliability.

  2. Maintenance Supervisor

    5+ years of experience first

    You plan maintenance schedules, manage crews, and handle budgets and safety, so good communication and leadership matter as much as technical skill.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take shop, electronics, and drafting classesHands-on technical classes teach you how machines work and how to read the diagrams used in repair jobs.
  • Take algebra, geometry, and physicsMath and physics help you understand measurements, forces, and how machines move, which mechanics use daily.
  • Join a robotics, engineering, or technical clubBuilding and fixing machines in a team setting shows employers you enjoy hands-on problem solving.
  • Get a summer or part-time job at a farm, auto shop, or warehouseAny job where you work with equipment helps you learn basic tool use and workplace safety.
  • Volunteer at a community workshop or maker spaceWorking with tools and small repairs builds confidence and gives you examples to talk about when applying for apprenticeships.

In college

  • Take courses in industrial maintenance, electrical systems, or hydraulicsThese classes cover the systems you will troubleshoot and repair in production machinery.
  • Pursue a certificate or associate degree in industrial maintenance technologyA certificate is a common training route that can help you qualify for apprenticeships and entry-level maintenance roles.
  • Apply for an apprenticeship or co-op with a manufacturerPaid on-the-job training is how many mechanics gain the 1 to 2 years of experience this career usually needs.
  • Take a part-time job as a maintenance helper or shop assistantWorking alongside experienced mechanics builds real skills and shows employers you are ready for more responsibility.
  • Join a skilled trades or engineering student clubClubs offer hands-on projects and networking with people already working in manufacturing and maintenance.

Tips for getting started

  • Look for apprenticeship or certificate programs in industrial maintenance at local community colleges or trade schools, since this is the typical training route for this career.
  • Ask a local manufacturing plant or maintenance shop if you can job shadow or do a summer job, even as a helper, to see the work up close.
  • Check the career page on your results to see typical pay near you and nationally before making decisions.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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