Installation, Maintenance & Repair
Maintenance Workers, Machinery
Also called: Lubricator, Machine Repairer, Maintainer, Maintenance Craftsman
US median pay
$60,850
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-1.9%
declining
Openings a year (US)
4,400
59,700 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Inspect or test damaged machine parts, and mark defective areas or advise supervisors of repair needs.
- Start machines and observe mechanical operation to determine efficiency and to detect problems.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Troubleshooting3.8/5
- Repairing3.8/5
- Operations Monitoring3.8/5
- Equipment Maintenance3.8/5
- Operation and Control3.6/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0/5
Knowledge
- Mechanical4.5/5
- Production and Processing3.4/5
- Administration and Management3.2/5
- English Language3.0/5
- Design3.0/5
- Education and Training3.0/5
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 certificate54%
- High school diploma41%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.