Industrial Machinery Mechanics is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the country, projected to grow +16.1% through 2034. Median pay sits at $64,520 nationally, a strong return for the training investment.
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 known as:
Industrial Machinery Mechanics earn $64,520 nationally, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $55,010 and $78,780. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
Near the national median for college graduates.
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Industrial Machinery Mechanics roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
The BLS projects +16.1% employment change for Industrial Machinery Mechanics through 2034, well above the national average of +5%. About 45,700 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
Much faster than average.
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
The five states below employ the most Industrial Machinery Mechanics professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $64,520 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 57,150 | $61,590 | -4.5% |
| 2 | California | 25,790 | $73,840 | +14.4% |
| 3 | Ohio | 20,180 | $63,650 | -1.3% |
| 4 | Michigan | 18,850 | $63,030 | -2.3% |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 18,500 | $63,830 | -1.1% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
Most Industrial Machinery Mechanics positions require a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify. The 2 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians | 8,614 | $83,301 | 374 |
| 2 | Energy Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | 146 | — | 12 |
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Georgia Technical College Americus, GA | 86 | $1,164 | $30,364 |
| 2 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro Murfreesboro, TN | 86 | $6,631 | $40,869 |
| 3 | New Castle School of Trades New Castle, PA | 85 | $8,361 | $44,814 |
| 4 | Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College Bowling Green, KY | 83 | $3,537 | $34,242 |
| 5 | San Diego Miramar College San Diego, CA | 83 | $3,337 | $48,224 |
| 6 | Northeast Alabama Community College Rainsville, AL | 82 | $2,756 | $34,913 |
Once you've sized up Industrial Machinery Mechanics, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
See if the degree that leads to Industrial Machinery Mechanics pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
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The data on Industrial Machinery Mechanics shows 4 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
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