Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance. Excludes “Maintenance and Repair Workers, General” (49-9071).
National median · BLS
$60,850
▲ +0.58%YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$64,610
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
60,020
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Maintenance Workers, Machinery
Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Percentile
All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay
$42,000
25th
$48,920
Median (50th)
$60,850
75th
$75,200
90th — top pay
$88,550
Hourly ⇄ annual pay
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Monthly—
Every 2 weeks—
Weekly—
Daily—
Based on
hrs/week ×
weeks/year
= 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035
Job outlook for Maintenance Workers, Machinery
BLS projects employment of maintenance workers, machinery to decline 1.9% from 2025 to 2035, while employment across all occupations grows 3.5%.
About 4,400 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.
Jobs 2025 → 2035
59,700 → 58,600
-1,200 jobs
Projected change
-1.9%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
4,400
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
0.3% 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.
BLS state medians, plus the same figure adjusted for local prices (BEA Regional Price Parities). Tap a state for its full range and H-1B pay.
State
Median
Jobs
Cost-adjusted
Profile
Maintenance Workers, Machinery salaries by metro area
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Metro area
Median
Jobs
Cost-adjusted
Profile
Skills & tools
Skills needed for Maintenance Workers, Machinery
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 Maintenance3.8
Operations Monitoring3.8
Repairing3.8
Troubleshooting3.8
Operation and Control3.6
Quality Control Analysis3.1
Active Listening3.0
Coordination3.0
Critical Thinking3.0
Judgment and Decision Making3.0
Top knowledge areas
Mechanical4.5
Production and Processing3.4
Administration and Management3.2
English Language3.0
Design3.0
Education and Training3.0
Engineering and Technology2.9
Mathematics2.8
Software and technology used
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordSAP softwareComputerized maintenance management system software CMMSDatabase softwareManagement information systems MISScheduling 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 maintenance workers, machinery 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.
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.
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.
Similar jobs and how they pay
Occupations O*NET lists as closely related to Maintenance Workers, Machinery, with BLS national medians compared with this occupation's $60,850.
