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Industrial Machinery Mechanic

Maintain and repair the machines that run factory and production lines.

What it pays in the U.S.

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.

Median pay (national)$64,520about $31.02 an hour
Typical range$46,120 – $95,170lowest to highest tenth of earners
Usual way inHigh school diploma or equivalentthen more than 1 year on-the-job training

Wage figures are 2025 survey data for United States, shown nationally because no state figure was reported. They describe what people in this job earn now, not what any one person will be offered.

Demand in United StatesBright outlook

Employment is projected to change 16% between 2024 and 2034. About 45,700 openings are projected each year. CareerOneStop flags this career for: Rapid Growth.

What the work actually is

  • Clean, lubricate, or adjust parts, equipment, or machinery.
  • Examine parts for defects, such as breakage or excessive wear.
  • Demonstrate equipment functions and features to machine operators.
  • Clean, lubricate, or adjust parts, equipment, or machinery.
  • Study blueprints or manufacturers' manuals to determine correct installation or operation of machinery.
  • Disassemble machinery or equipment to remove parts and make repairs.

Read the full Occupational Outlook Handbook entry from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Licensing, by state

Licensing is set by each state, so there is no national answer. Choose a state above to see which licenses it requires for this career, or look one up with the CareerOneStop License Finder.

Certifications employers recognize

These are national certifications, issued by industry bodies rather than a state. Most are optional, but they are how you prove skill to an employer.

Apprenticeships, by state

Registered apprenticeships pay you while you train. Each state runs its own registration office, which is where to start when you want to find an open program.

Choose a state above to see the offices that register apprenticeships there.

Search open programs directly at apprenticeship.gov.

Now find the schools.

4Thought101 tracks the programs that train for this, their deadlines, and what you owe when. This page stays free whether you sign up or not.

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