Industrial Machinery Mechanics

At a Glance

Install, fix, and maintain machines in factories
Work alone most of the time
Often wear protective gear such as earplugs and work boots
May work overtime and weekends
Train on the job
Often work for car manufacturers

Career summary

Industrial machinery mechanics maintain and repair factory equipment and other machinery.

#no matching wois occupations

Industrial machinery mechanics try to prevent problems before they occur. They inspect machines to make sure they are working properly. They also clean, oil, and grease parts and tighten belts on a regular basis.

When equipment needs attention, mechanics talk to users to find out what is wrong. They inspect equipment and look for common problems such as loose or worn out parts.

To test the mechanical systems, mechanics use computerized diagnostic systems. Mechanics must take equipment apart to run these tests. They make adjustments or replace worn parts and put equipment back together. When they are finished, mechanics run the equipment to see if it works.

Then mechanics make adjustments or replace worn parts and put equipment back together. When they are finished, mechanics run machines to see if they work.

Mechanics are under pressure to fix equipment quickly because breakdowns usually stop or slow production. They often replace faulty parts with new parts, and bring the broken parts back to their shop for repair. They make sure they have a well-stocked inventory of new parts and keep track of the parts they used.

Mechanics keep some parts in stock. They keep track of which parts they have used and order more when the supply is low. Sometimes mechanics make new parts. They use machines to cut and shape metal. They may also weld pieces of metal together.

In addition to making repairs, mechanics help install new machines. They study blueprints and information from manufacturers. Once the machine is installed, mechanics make sure it is installed correctly. They demonstrate how the machine works to workers who will use it.

Mechanics keep records of their maintenance and repair work. They record which parts they replace on each machine and the date.

Related careers

This career is part of the Manufacturing cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

Military careers

Powerhouse Mechanics

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to industrial machinery mechanics.

Perform routine maintenance of machinery. Clean and lubricate parts and equipment.
Talk to machinery operators to evaluate how machinery is working.
Examine parts for defects or wear.
Adjust and test machinery.
Repair and replace worn out or damaged parts.
Cut and weld metal to repair or make new machinery parts.
Order parts and materials.
Take apart machinery and put it back together.
Operate machinery to make sure it works. Analyze test results.
Install new machinery.
Enter instructions to program computer-controlled machines.
Keep maintenance and repair records.
Study blueprints and manuals to determine correct installation and operation of machinery.

Common work activities

Industrial machinery mechanics perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

Repair and maintain mechanical equipment
Control machines and processes
Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
Handle and move objects
Perform activities that use the whole body
Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
Get information needed to do the job
Identify objects, actions, and events
Make decisions and solve problems
Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
Update and use job-related knowledge
Organize, plan, and prioritize work

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, industrial machinery mechanics:

Interpersonal relationships

Have a low to medium level of social interaction. They often have discussions with machine operators, but also work alone.
Communicate with others by face-to-face discussions and sometimes by telephone.
May on occasion be placed in conflict situations in which others may become rude or angry.
Are somewhat responsible for the work done by other mechanics.
Are somewhat responsible for the health and safety of others.
Sometimes work as part of a team.

Physical work conditions

Often work indoors.
Often wear protective clothing and gear, such as earplugs and work boots.
Are often exposed to hazardous equipment.
Are often exposed to contaminants.
Are sometimes exposed to noises that are loud or uncomfortable.
Are often exposed to hazardous situations and conditions.
May have to get into awkward positions to reach cramped work places.
May be exposed to very hot or very cold temperatures. Indoor work sites may not be temperature-controlled.
Occasionally must climb to high places to complete a task.
May share work space with others.
Sometimes work in either very bright or very dim lighting.

Work performance

Must be exact in their work and be sure all details are done. Errors could result in injuries to machine operators.
Must keep pace with the speed of equipment.
May make some decisions and set daily tasks and goals independently. They also seek input from supervisors from time to time.
Repeat the same physical and mental activities.
Must meet strict daily deadlines.

Hours/travel

Work at least 40 hours per week. Schedules are generally established.
May work overtime or weekends to fix broken machines.
May be on-call to come in for emergency repairs.

Physical demands

Industrial machinery mechanics frequently:

Stand for long periods of time.
Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
Walk or run for long periods of time.
Bend or twist their body.
Kneel, stoop, crouch, or crawl.

It is important for industrial machinery mechanics to be able to:

Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
Determine the distance between objects.
Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
Understand the speech of another person.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for industrial machinery mechanics to be able to:

Move arms and legs quickly.
Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
Determine from which direction a sound came.
Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
See objects in very bright or glaring light.
See objects in very low light.
While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.

Skills and abilities

Industrial machinery mechanics need to:

Communicate

Understand written information.
Listen to others and ask questions.
Understand spoken information.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.

Reason and problem solve

Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
Recognize the nature of a problem.
Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
Develop rules that group items in various ways.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

Check how well one is learning or doing something.
Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Work with things

Maintain equipment on a routine basis. Determine when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Repair machines or systems.
Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.
Determine the causes of technical problems and find solutions for them.
Inspect and evaluate the quality of products.
Operate and control equipment.
Determine the tools and equipment needed to do a job.

Perceive and visualize

Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

Industrial Mechanics

Other programs of study to consider

Training

To work as an industrial machinery mechanic, you typically need to:

have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
complete long-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required beyond high school.

On-the-job training

Many industrial machinery mechanics learn their skills on the job from an experienced worker. You begin as a helper and perform basic tasks. As you gain experience, you learn more complex tasks. Training usually takes about four years.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be powerhouse mechanics. Training lasts 12 to 24 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.

If you receive this type of training in the military, you may earn credit for previous work experience when you enter a civilian apprenticeship program.

Washington apprenticeships

For further information on apprenticeships in Washington, contact:

Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
Apprenticeship Program (external link)
PO Box 44530
Olympia, WA 98504-4530
360.902.5320

#Checked L&I contact info 4/23/09 lh & 5/3/10, 4/9/12 & 3/19/14, 5/2/16, 4/4/18 cj.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

Appliance Repair
Blueprint Reading
Drafting
Equipment Maintenance and Repair
Physical Education

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers prefer to hire applicants who have a high school diploma or equivalent. Employers may require applicants to pass a physical exam and drug-screening test.

Employers look for applicants who are in good physical condition. They also look for people who have good eye-hand coordination. Experience repairing machinery can be helpful.

Costs to workers

Some workers are required to join a union and pay an initiation fee and annual dues.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

Industrial Machinery Mechanics

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website (external link) .

Wages

Industrial machinery mechanics (SOC 49-9041)

Location	Pay Period
Location	Pay Period	10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
Washington	Hourly	$16.85	$21.58	$28.36	$37.18	$46.07
	Monthly	$2,920	$3,740	$4,915	$6,443	$7,984
	Yearly	$35,040	$44,890	$58,990	$77,330	$95,820
Bellingham	Hourly	$14.21	$17.54	$21.72	$26.59	$37.29
	Monthly	$2,463	$3,040	$3,764	$4,608	$6,462
	Yearly	$29,564	$36,498	$45,169	$55,314	$77,566
Bremerton-Silverdale	Hourly	$23.35	$29.58	$34.18	$37.34	$39.21
	Monthly	$4,047	$5,126	$5,923	$6,471	$6,795
	Yearly	$48,555	$61,523	$71,085	$77,647	$81,555
Clarkston-Lewiston	Hourly	$14.62	$18.13	$21.95	$24.94	$29.00
	Monthly	$2,534	$3,142	$3,804	$4,322	$5,026
	Yearly	$30,408	$37,712	$45,656	$51,877	$60,311
Kennewick-Richland	Hourly	$16.23	$19.26	$24.90	$38.21	$45.72
	Monthly	$2,813	$3,338	$4,315	$6,622	$7,923
	Yearly	$33,752	$40,055	$51,777	$79,478	$95,102
Longview	Hourly	$23.46	$31.24	$34.80	$38.07	$41.70
	Monthly	$4,066	$5,414	$6,031	$6,598	$7,227
	Yearly	$48,796	$64,970	$72,401	$79,194	$86,742
Mount Vernon-Anacortes	Hourly	$17.21	$20.44	$26.14	$35.18	$45.71
	Monthly	$2,982	$3,542	$4,530	$6,097	$7,922
	Yearly	$35,798	$42,508	$54,384	$73,166	$95,091
Olympia-Tumwater	Hourly	$23.10	$26.86	$30.86	$38.12	$53.95
	Monthly	$4,003	$4,655	$5,348	$6,606	$9,350
	Yearly	$48,059	$55,883	$64,190	$79,271	$112,209
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	Hourly	$17.79	$23.25	$30.12	$40.21	$49.68
	Monthly	$3,083	$4,029	$5,220	$6,968	$8,610
	Yearly	$36,990	$48,347	$62,648	$83,637	$103,339
Spokane-Spokane Valley	Hourly	$16.01	$18.84	$23.99	$28.95	$31.93
	Monthly	$2,775	$3,265	$4,157	$5,017	$5,533
	Yearly	$33,309	$39,186	$49,882	$60,206	$66,404
Vancouver	Hourly	$20.00	$23.78	$28.52	$33.94	$38.84
	Monthly	$3,466	$4,121	$4,943	$5,882	$6,731
	Yearly	$41,618	$49,477	$59,328	$70,591	$80,803
Wenatchee	Hourly	$15.88	$20.50	$24.07	$42.64	$45.72
	Monthly	$2,752	$3,553	$4,171	$7,390	$7,923
	Yearly	$33,035	$42,645	$50,060	$88,703	$95,101
Yakima	Hourly	$15.59	$17.65	$21.86	$27.29	$31.72
	Monthly	$2,702	$3,059	$3,788	$4,729	$5,497
	Yearly	$32,425	$36,725	$45,473	$56,762	$65,988
United States	Hourly	$16.19	$20.00	$25.16	$30.65	$37.59
	Monthly	$2,806	$3,466	$4,360	$5,312	$6,514
	Yearly	$33,670	$41,610	$52,340	$63,740	$78,190

Earnings vary by industry and area of the country. The mechanic's level of skill and responsibility also affect wages. In general, mechanics who belong to a union receive higher wages than non-union mechanics.

Industrial machinery mechanics who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance. Some employers also provide a retirement plan.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

Industrial Machinery Mechanics (SOC 49-9041)

		This occupation	All occupations
Location	Current employment	Growth over 10 years		Annual openings
Washington	7,784	7.1%	16.1%	802
Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties	683	7.5%	13.4%	71
Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman Counties	245	5.7%	8.6%	24
Benton and Franklin Counties	477	9.2%	15.0%	51
Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties	321	1.6%	11.9%	29
Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties	586	10.6%	15.2%	65
Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties	327	4.6%	14.1%	31
Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties	397	6.0%	14.6%	39
King County	2,194	5.9%	19.6%	219
Kittitas, Klickitat, Skamania, and Yakima Counties	477	7.5%	13.8%	50
Pierce County	728	7.0%	15.2%	75
Snohomish County	579	8.1%	12.4%	60
Spokane County	723	4.8%	13.9%	70
United States	381,500	5.1%	5.2%	37,800

National employment

Industrial machinery mechanics work in many industries. Jobs are located wherever industrial machinery is used. However, jobs are concentrated in heavily industrialized areas.

Major employers:

Industrial machinery sales companies
Motor vehicle parts manufacturers
Electric power generation and transmission plants
Plastic product manufacturers

National outlook

Demand will be average for this occupation because manufacturers are using more sophisticated machinery. This machinery requires more highly-skilled mechanics to keep the machines in good working order.

Job openings will occur as current workers retire or leave this occupation. Some employers have reported difficulty in recruiting young workers with the necessary skills. Job prospects will be best for those who have apprenticeship or other formal training.

Other resources

BLS Career Outlook 2018
You're a what? Robotics Technician

Chelan County PUD Apprenticeships

Engineer Girl!
National Academy of Engineering

International Society of Automation
67 TW Alexander Drive
PO Box 12277
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
919.549.8411

Robotic Industries Association
900 Victors Way, Suite 140
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
734.994.6088

Seattle City Light Apprenticeship Program
206.386.1603

Washington Business Week
PO Box 1170
Renton, WA 98057
253.237.3545

Welding.com

References

Career cluster

Manufacturing

Career path

Realistic (Technical)

O*Net occupation

Industrial Machinery Mechanics (49-9041.00)

O*Net job zone

Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.