Work Environment
Most industrial machinery mechanics and maintenance technicians are employed full time during regular business hours. However, mechanics may be on call or assigned to work nights or weekends. Overtime is common, particularly for mechanics.
Career Outlook
Employment of industrial machinery mechanics and maintenance technicians is expected to grow 19 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Employment growth will vary by specialty.
Employment of industrial machinery mechanics is projected to grow 22 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. Increased adoption of sophisticated manufacturing machinery will require more highly skilled technicians to keep the machines in good working order. Employment of machinery maintenance technicians is projected to grow 6 percent from 2010 to 2020.
Pay (source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
The median annual wage of industrial machinery mechanics was $45,420 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,880, and the top 10 percent earned more than $68,130.
The median annual wage of machinery maintenance workers was $38,460 in May 2010. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,440, and the top 10 percent earned more than $59,640.
Most industrial machinery mechanics and maintenance workers are employed full time during regular business hours. However, mechanics may be on call or assigned to work nights or weekends. Overtime is common, particularly for mechanics.