Occupation · SOC 49-9043
Maintenance Workers, Machinery
Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.
Median wage
$60,500
$40,080–$83,560
Projected growth
-2.8%
Declining
Annual openings
-160
per year
Employed (US)
56,540
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
359 mapped
Core skills
TroubleshootingRepairingOperations MonitoringEquipment MaintenanceOperation and ControlQuality Control AnalysisTime ManagementReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingCoordinationActive ListeningSpeakingInstallationComplex Problem SolvingMonitoringEquipment SelectionActive LearningSocial PerceptivenessWritingInstructingSystems AnalysisService OrientationPersuasionNegotiationManagement of Personnel ResourcesLearning StrategiesSystems EvaluationMathematicsTechnology DesignOperations AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesScienceProgrammingManagement of Financial Resources
Knowledge areas
MechanicalProduction and ProcessingAdministration and ManagementEnglish LanguageDesignEducation and TrainingEngineering and TechnologyMathematicsComputers and ElectronicsPublic Safety and SecurityChemistryPhysicsAdministrativeCustomer and Personal ServiceBuilding and ConstructionLaw and GovernmentPsychologyCommunications and MediaTelecommunicationsEconomics and AccountingPersonnel and Human ResourcesTransportationGeographyBiologyHistory and ArcheologySales and MarketingTherapy and CounselingSociology and AnthropologyForeign LanguagePhilosophy and TheologyMedicine and DentistryFood ProductionFine Arts
Technology & tools
Computerized maintenance management system software CMMSDatabase softwareManagement information systems MISMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordOperating system softwareSAP softwareScheduling softwareSpreadsheet softwareWeb browser softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsControlling Machines and ProcessesGetting InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesHandling and Moving ObjectsRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkPerforming General Physical ActivitiesDocumenting/Recording InformationMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeThinking CreativelyEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsTraining and Teaching OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersWorking with ComputersScheduling Work and ActivitiesAnalyzing Data or InformationDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoaching and Developing OthersProcessing InformationCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsAssisting and Caring for OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeoplePerforming Administrative ActivitiesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationSelling or Influencing OthersStaffing Organizational Units
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Hand tools and basic lifting equipment — identify and use under direct supervision when dismantling machinery on an industrial shop floor.Machine components after disassembly — organize and label following established protocols during supervised repair activities.Lubrication points and approved lubricants — apply to machine parts according to specified procedures under technician guidance in a production facility.Work orders and maintenance specifications — read and interpret basic instructions to determine which machines require attention on an entry-level shift.Maintenance and repair records — enter accurately into a logbook or facilities management software following each supervised task.Machine parts and attachments — assist in replacing or installing components under direct oversight according to production specifications.Safety hazards and lockout/tagout procedures — recognize and follow consistently before beginning any machinery maintenance task.Simple machine controls and operating panels — identify functions and monitor basic operational indicators under technician direction.Repair team tasks and instructions — receive and carry out through active listening and close coordination with experienced mechanics.Hand steadiness and manual dexterity — demonstrate when handling small machine parts and fasteners during entry-level maintenance assignments.
developing
Machinery components and subassemblies — dismantle and reassemble with reduced oversight using hand tools, jacks, and hoists on routine production-floor repairs.Lubrication schedules and adhesive application procedures — execute independently for multiple machine types in a mid-sized manufacturing environment.Replacement parts and machine attachments — install and change according to production specifications with consistent accuracy and minimal rework.Machine operating controls and adjustment settings — set up and regulate to achieve target output parameters during routine production runs.Maintenance, repair, and production data — record and update in enterprise resource planning or database software following each completed work order.Emerging equipment faults and abnormal operating sounds — detect through regular operations monitoring and escalate appropriately before failures occur.Cross-functional repair efforts — coordinate with operators and fellow mechanics to move or repair equipment efficiently within scheduled downtime windows.Work orders and technical specifications — comprehend and prioritize across multiple open tasks to meet daily maintenance timelines.Root causes of common mechanical failures — identify through structured troubleshooting and apply standard corrective repairs in familiar machine types.Quality of completed repairs — verify through functional testing and visual inspection before returning equipment to production service.
proficient
Complex multi-component machinery — dismantle, diagnose, and fully reassemble autonomously using cranes, chain falls, and precision hand tools in a high-throughput industrial environment.Non-routine mechanical failures across diverse equipment types — troubleshoot independently, applying critical thinking to isolate root causes and select effective repair strategies.Machine setups and control calibrations — perform and fine-tune across a full range of production equipment to meet tight operational tolerances.Preventive and corrective maintenance plans — execute and adapt for an entire assigned equipment portfolio, balancing quality standards and production demands.Maintenance records and work-order histories — analyze using ERP and spreadsheet software to identify recurring failure patterns and drive reliability improvements.Lubrication, adhesive, and material application specifications — interpret and apply correctly across uncommon or first-time equipment configurations without supervision.Technical drawings, schematics, and OEM documentation — read and apply to guide correct part selection, installation sequencing, and tolerance verification.Judgment on repair-versus-replace decisions — exercise independently under time pressure, weighing part cost, downtime impact, and equipment lifespan.Collaborative repair projects involving multiple crafts or departments — lead task coordination to ensure safe, efficient completion within maintenance windows.Body mechanics, tool control, and physical precision — apply consistently when working in confined spaces or performing high-dexterity repairs on critical machine assemblies.
advanced
Facility-wide machinery maintenance strategy — develop and champion across all production areas, aligning preventive maintenance schedules with organizational uptime goals.Maintenance technician teams — mentor, coach, and evaluate to build competency at emerging and developing levels across the full scope of industrial repair tasks.Equipment reliability programs — design and implement using CMMS, ERP, and data analysis tools to reduce unplanned downtime across a large industrial operation.Organizational maintenance standards, procedures, and safety protocols — author and enforce to ensure consistent, high-quality repair practices facility-wide.Capital equipment decisions, repair-versus-replace analyses, and parts inventory strategies — lead using cost data, repair histories, and production impact assessments.Cross-departmental maintenance planning — direct in coordination with production, engineering, and supply chain leadership to align schedules with business priorities.Complex or novel equipment failures with no established repair protocol — resolve by drawing on deep mechanical knowledge and systematic problem-solving, then codifying the solution for future use.Maintenance workforce scheduling and workload distribution — manage across shifts and skill levels to ensure coverage, efficiency, and technician development opportunities.Continuous improvement initiatives targeting maintenance processes — lead by analyzing performance metrics, identifying systemic gaps, and deploying corrective programs.Organizational safety culture related to machinery maintenance — model and reinforce by integrating dependability, attention to detail, and cautiousness into every team practice and training activity.
Also known as
136 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Air Deodorizer ServicerAircraft FuelerAirplane FuelerAirplane RefuelerAirport Refueling HandlerAlemite Operator (Alemite Op)Automatic Pinsetter Mechanic (AT Pinsetter Mechanic)Belt ChangerBelt DresserBelt FixerBelt LacerBelt RepairerBinder BuilderBlade ChangerBlock GreaserBoiling House OilerBooster Pump OilerBox BuilderBreaker OilerCar GreaserCar LubricatorCar OilerCarbon SetterCard Grinder HelperCell InstallerCellar PackerCollar PackerCraftsmanCrane OilerCuring Press MaintainerDope Maintenance WorkerDopemanDoperDragline OilerEngine OilerEnvelope AdjusterEquipment Cleaner and TesterEquipment OilerFlatcar WhackerFlyer Repairer