Installation, maintenance and repair
Maintenance workers, machinery
Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.
Median pay
$60,850
Growth to 2035
−2%
little or no change
Openings a year
4,400
Time to qualify*
12 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Maintenance workers, machinery
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
Maintenance workers, machinery: 50% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- 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.
Also called: Lubricator · Machine Repairer · Maintainer · Maintenance Craftsman · Maintenance Man · Maintenance Mechanic · Maintenance Technician (Maintenance Tech) · Maintenance Worker
Outlook and AI
Maintenance workers, machinery held 59,700 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 58,600 by 2035 (−2%, little or no change; all jobs: +3.5%).
Occupational substitution - share decreases as maintenance services are performed by industrial machinery mechanics.
Compare with
- Maintenance workers, machinery vs. Industrial machinery mechanic
- Maintenance workers, machinery vs. Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
- Maintenance workers, machinery vs. Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers
- Maintenance workers, machinery vs. Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
- Maintenance workers, machinery vs. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
- Maintenance workers, machinery vs. Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners
- Maintenance workers, machinery vs. Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing
- Maintenance workers, machinery vs. Rail car repairer
- Maintenance workers, machinery vs. Machine feeders and offbearers
- Maintenance workers, machinery vs. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door