What Industrial Machinery Mechanics do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Industrial Machinery Mechanics this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Disassemble machinery or equipment to remove parts and make repairs"; "Repair or replace broken or malfunctioning components of machinery or equipment"; "Repair or maintain the operating condition of industrial production or processing machinery or equipment"; "Examine parts for defects, such as breakage or excessive wear"; "Reassemble equipment after completion of inspections, testing, or repairs".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is long-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Industrial Machinery Mechanics
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 446,900 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 526,600 in 2035, an increase of 79,700 jobs (+17.8%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 44,400 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 9.9% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $64,520, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Industrial Machinery Mechanics earn the most
Across the 6 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $61,855 in Texas to $74,565 in Illinois, a gap of $12,711 (1.21 times). 5 of those 6 states average above the BLS national median of $64,520 and 1 average at or below it.
Texas employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 55,780, which is 34.1% of the 163,680 counted across them. Indiana follows with 29,730.
Highest-paying states
Illinois ($74,565), California ($74,313) and New Jersey ($73,366) lead the ranking, while Texas ($61,855) and Indiana ($68,795) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Industrial Machinery Mechanics: pay against the cost of living
We compare 7 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Lake County, IN (Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN) at $38,737. The smallest margin is $17,077 in Kings County, NY.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 7 of the 7 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 23.7% and 56.5% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (49-9000) include Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers and Maintenance and Repair Workers, General.
Frequently asked questions about Industrial Machinery Mechanics
What is the national median wage for Industrial Machinery Mechanics?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $64,520. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $61,855 to $74,565.
Which state pays Industrial Machinery Mechanics the most?
Illinois, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $74,565. California is next at $74,313.
What is the job outlook for Industrial Machinery Mechanics?
BLS projects employment to grow by 17.8% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 44,400 openings a year.
What education do Industrial Machinery Mechanics need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and long-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Industrial Machinery Mechanics afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Lake County, IN leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $38,737 on a median wage of $75,800.