Maintenance Workers, Machinery
SOC Code: 49-9043.00
Installation, Maintenance & RepairMaintenance Workers, Machinery are the behind-the-scenes technicians who keep industrial equipment running at peak performance through routine upkeep and timely repairs. With a median salary of $60,500, these workers play a critical role in minimizing costly downtime in manufacturing plants, power generation facilities, and production operations. Their mechanical aptitude and preventive maintenance discipline directly impact a company's productivity and bottom line.
Salary Overview
Median
$60,500
25th Percentile
$48,600
75th Percentile
$72,260
90th Percentile
$83,560
Salary Distribution
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Growth Rate
-2.8%
New Openings
4,800
Outlook
Little or no change
Key Skills
Knowledge Areas
What They Do
- 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.
- Lubricate or apply adhesives or other materials to machines, machine parts, or other equipment according to specified procedures.
- 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.
- Inspect or test damaged machine parts, and mark defective areas or advise supervisors of repair needs.
- Collect and discard worn machine parts and other refuse to maintain machinery and work areas.
- Record production, repair, and machine maintenance information.
Tools & Technology
★ = Hot Technology (in-demand)
Education Requirements
Typical entry-level education: Some College
Related Careers
Top Career Pivot Targets
View all 1 →Careers with the highest skill compatibility from Maintenance Workers, Machinery.
A Day in the Life
The workday typically begins with reviewing the maintenance schedule and checking for any overnight equipment alerts or operator-reported issues. Morning rounds involve inspecting machinery for unusual vibrations, sounds, or temperature readings that signal developing problems. Workers lubricate bearings, gears, and moving parts according to manufacturer specifications and maintenance intervals. Midday tasks might include replacing worn belts, filters, seals, or gaskets before they cause equipment failures. Operators frequently call on maintenance workers to make adjustments to machine settings or calibrate equipment for different production runs. Afternoon duties often involve performing more involved repairs such as replacing pumps, motors, or hydraulic components. Documentation is essential, and workers log all maintenance activities, parts used, and equipment conditions in computerized maintenance management systems. End-of-shift activities include cleaning work areas, organizing parts inventory, and briefing the next shift on any ongoing issues.
Work Environment
Machinery maintenance workers operate primarily in manufacturing plants, power stations, food processing facilities, and other industrial settings. The environment is often loud, requiring hearing protection, and may involve exposure to oils, greases, solvents, and other industrial chemicals. Workers frequently operate in confined spaces, at heights, or around moving equipment, necessitating strict safety protocols and lockout-tagout procedures. Temperatures can be extreme, from the heat of foundries and boiler rooms to the cold of refrigerated processing areas. Most facilities run multiple shifts, and maintenance workers often rotate through day, evening, and overnight schedules. Emergency breakdowns can require overtime and weekend work on short notice. The physical demands are significant, including lifting heavy components, crawling under equipment, and working in awkward positions. Personal protective equipment including steel-toed boots, safety glasses, gloves, and flame-resistant clothing is standard issue.
Career Path & Advancement
Entry into machinery maintenance typically requires a high school diploma combined with mechanical aptitude and willingness to learn on the job. Many employers prefer candidates who have completed vocational training or associate degree programs in industrial maintenance technology or mechatronics. Apprenticeship programs lasting two to four years provide structured training that combines classroom instruction with hands-on experience. New workers start with basic lubrication and cleaning tasks before progressing to more complex diagnostic and repair work. With experience, technicians advance to lead maintenance mechanic or maintenance planner roles. Specialized certifications from organizations like the Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals boost advancement prospects. Senior technicians may move into maintenance superintendent or reliability engineer positions. Some experienced workers transition into equipment sales, technical training, or maintenance consulting.
Specializations
Machinery maintenance encompasses several distinct specialization areas depending on the industry and equipment type. Hydraulic and pneumatic systems specialists focus on fluid power equipment used in presses, lifts, and automated assembly lines. Conveyor systems technicians maintain the belts, rollers, and drive mechanisms critical to material handling operations. CNC machine maintenance workers specialize in the mechanical and electronic components of computer-controlled cutting and forming equipment. Rotating equipment specialists focus on turbines, compressors, pumps, and motors where vibration analysis and precision alignment are essential skills. Packaging machinery technicians maintain high-speed filling, sealing, and labeling equipment in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical plants. Printing press maintenance workers handle the specialized mechanical and hydraulic systems unique to commercial printing operations. Textile machinery specialists maintain looms, spinning frames, and finishing equipment in fabric manufacturing. Power generation maintenance workers focus on turbines, generators, and auxiliary equipment in utility and industrial power plants.
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- ✓Above-average salary with strong earning potential through overtime
- ✓High job security due to persistent skilled labor shortage
- ✓Intellectually stimulating diagnostic and problem-solving work
- ✓Tangible results and immediate satisfaction from restoring equipment
- ✓Diverse technical skills applicable across many industries
- ✓Clear advancement path into leadership and specialized roles
- ✓Growing demand driven by automation and aging infrastructure
Challenges
- ✗Physically demanding work in uncomfortable positions and environments
- ✗Shift work and on-call requirements disrupt work-life balance
- ✗Exposure to industrial hazards including chemicals and moving machinery
- ✗High-pressure situations during emergency breakdowns with production at stake
- ✗Noise, heat, and grease are constant companions on the job
- ✗Continuous learning required to keep pace with advancing technology
- ✗Injuries from repetitive motions and heavy lifting are common over time
Industry Insight
Industrial machinery maintenance is being transformed by Industry 4.0 technologies that are shifting the field from reactive repair to predictive and condition-based maintenance strategies. IoT sensors embedded in equipment continuously monitor vibration, temperature, and performance metrics, enabling maintenance workers to address issues before failures occur. The manufacturing sector faces a significant skilled labor shortage as experienced maintenance workers retire, creating strong demand and upward wage pressure for qualified technicians. Automation and robotics are expanding the scope of maintenance work rather than replacing it, as someone must maintain the robots and automated systems. Additive manufacturing is beginning to impact the field, with some facilities 3D printing replacement parts on demand rather than maintaining large spare parts inventories. Electric vehicle and battery manufacturing are creating entirely new maintenance specializations as these industries scale up rapidly. Sustainability initiatives require maintenance workers to optimize equipment for energy efficiency and support emissions reduction programs. The convergence of mechanical, electrical, and software skills in modern equipment is elevating the technical requirements and compensation for qualified maintenance professionals.
How to Break Into This Career
Starting a career in machinery maintenance is most accessible through vocational training programs or community college courses in industrial maintenance, millwright technology, or mechatronics. Many manufacturing companies hire maintenance helpers or apprentices and train them on their specific equipment, valuing mechanical aptitude over formal credentials. Working as a machine operator first provides valuable familiarity with equipment behavior and common failure modes that maintenance supervisors appreciate in candidates. Military veterans with mechanical maintenance experience from vehicle, aircraft, or ship systems are highly sought after by industrial employers. Obtaining basic certifications in welding, electrical work, or forklift operation demonstrates initiative and broadens employability. Attending open houses or job fairs at local manufacturing plants is an effective way to connect directly with maintenance department managers. Temp-to-hire arrangements through industrial staffing agencies are a common entry path, allowing both worker and employer to evaluate fit. Building familiarity with common maintenance software and computerized maintenance management systems gives candidates a competitive edge.
Career Pivot Tips
Machinery maintenance workers possess a powerful combination of mechanical knowledge, troubleshooting methodology, and hands-on technical skills that transfer across many fields. Their systematic diagnostic approach is directly applicable to HVAC technician, automotive repair, and appliance service roles. Experience with hydraulics and pneumatics opens doors to heavy equipment mechanic and elevator repair technician positions. Electrical troubleshooting skills developed alongside mechanical work provide a foundation for pivoting into industrial electrician or controls technician careers. Workers experienced with computerized maintenance systems can transition into maintenance planner, reliability analyst, or asset management roles. Equipment knowledge and vendor relationships built over years of ordering parts and working with manufacturer representatives prepare workers for technical sales or field service engineer positions. Safety awareness and lockout-tagout expertise translate well to occupational health and safety specialist or compliance coordinator careers. Teaching and mentoring skills developed while training junior technicians support pivots into vocational education or corporate training roles. Those with strong documentation habits can leverage their experience into technical writing positions for equipment manufacturers.
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