Installation, Maintenance & Repair
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Also called: Industrial Machinery Mechanic, Industrial Mechanic, Loom Fixer, Loom Technician
US median pay
$64,520
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+17.8%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
44,400
446,900 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Record parts or materials used and order or requisition new parts or materials, as necessary.
- Observe and test the operation of machinery or equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using voltmeters or other testing devices.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Troubleshooting4.0/5
- Repairing4.0/5
- Operations Monitoring4.0/5
- Operation and Control4.0/5
- Equipment Maintenance4.0/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.8/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Equipment Selection3.1/5
Knowledge
- Mechanical4.3/5
- English Language3.5/5
- Production and Processing3.4/5
- Engineering and Technology3.3/5
- Design3.3/5
- Mathematics3.1/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Post-secondary certificate47%
- High school diploma39%
- Associate's degree14%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.