Industrial Machinery Mechanics
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.
Also called: Industrial Machinery Mechanic · Industrial Mechanic · Loom Fixer · Loom Technician · Machine Adjuster · Machine Mechanic
Median pay (national)
$63,760
$45,090–$92,730 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
421,940
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+16.1%
~45,700 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for industrial machinery mechanics shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $92,730 versus $45,090 at the bottom 10% — 2.1x. The median of $63,760 leaves roughly 45% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +16.1% from 2024 to 2034 — much faster than the 3% average for all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 45,700 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 53 states with released data, Alaska pays the most for this role (median $86,590, +36% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $34,770 — a 149% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Active Learning as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Repair or replace broken or malfunctioning components of machinery or equipment.
- Disassemble machinery or equipment to remove parts and make 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.
- Observe and test the operation of machinery or equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using voltmeters or other testing devices.
- Cut and weld metal to repair broken metal parts, fabricate new parts, or assemble new equipment.
- Enter codes and instructions to program computer-controlled machinery.
- Repair or maintain the operating condition of industrial production or processing machinery or equipment.
- Clean, lubricate, or adjust parts, equipment, or machinery.
Tools & technology
- SAP software
- BIT Corp ProMACS PLC
- Extranet Machine Tools Suite
- Inventory tracking software
- KEYENCE PLC Ladder Logic
- Maintenance management software
- Maintenance planning and control software
- Programmable logic controller PLC software
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Production and Processing
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics
- Education and Training