Occupation salary profile

Industrial Machinery Mechanics

SOC 49-9041 BLS OEWS May 2025

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. Excludes “Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines” (49-3042), and “Maintenance Workers, Machinery” (49-9043).

National median · BLS
$64,520
▲ +1.19% YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$68,460
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
439,640
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Industrial Machinery Mechanics

Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.

Percentile All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay$46,120
25th$55,010
Median (50th)$64,520
75th$78,780
90th — top pay$95,170

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Based on hrs/week × weeks/year = 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035

Job outlook for Industrial Machinery Mechanics

BLS projects employment of industrial machinery mechanics to grow 17.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 44,400 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.

Jobs 2025 → 2035
446,900 → 526,600
+79,700 jobs
Projected change
+17.8%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
44,400
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Long-term on-the-job training
Self-employed
1.3% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 3)
Medium Preparation Needed. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Fastest-growing jobs → Best-paying jobs that need a high school diploma →

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035 · BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook →

Skills & tools

Skills needed for Industrial Machinery Mechanics

How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.

Top skills
  • Equipment Maintenance4.0
  • Operation and Control4.0
  • Operations Monitoring4.0
  • Repairing4.0
  • Troubleshooting4.0
  • Quality Control Analysis3.8
  • Critical Thinking3.6
  • Active Learning3.1
  • Active Listening3.1
  • Complex Problem Solving3.1
Top knowledge areas
  • Mechanical4.3
  • English Language3.5
  • Production and Processing3.4
  • Engineering and Technology3.3
  • Design3.3
  • Mathematics3.1
  • Computers and Electronics3.0
  • Education and Training2.8
Software and technology used
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordSAP softwareBIT Corp ProMACS PLCExtranet Machine Tools SuiteInventory tracking softwareKEYENCE PLC Ladder LogicMaintenance management softwareMaintenance planning and control softwareProgrammable logic controller PLC softwareSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADA softwareWeb browser software

Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

About the job

What industrial machinery mechanics do

  • 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 MechanicMaintenance TechnicianMechanicOverhaulerIndustrial MechanicLoom FixerLoom TechnicianMachine AdjusterMachine MechanicSewing Machine Mechanic
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Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.