Installation, maintenance and repair
Industrial machinery mechanic
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
$64,520
Growth to 2035
+18%
much faster than average
Openings a year
44,400
Time to qualify*
12 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Industrial machinery mechanic
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Industrial machinery mechanic: 47% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- 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.
Also called: Industrial Machinery Mechanic · Industrial Mechanic · Loom Fixer · Loom Technician · Machine Adjuster · Machine Mechanic · Maintenance Technician · Mechanic
Outlook and AI
Industrial machinery mechanics held 446,900 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 526,600 by 2035 (+18%, much faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Industrial machinery mechanic vs. Maintenance workers, machinery
- Industrial machinery mechanic vs. Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers
- Industrial machinery mechanic vs. Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
- Industrial machinery mechanic vs. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
- Industrial machinery mechanic vs. Engine and other machine assemblers
- Industrial machinery mechanic vs. Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
- Industrial machinery mechanic vs. Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
- Industrial machinery mechanic vs. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
- Industrial machinery mechanic vs. Millwright
- Industrial machinery mechanic vs. Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic