Industrial Mechanic salary
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What an industrial mechanic does
Industrial mechanics and millwrights install, maintain and repair the machinery that keeps plants running. One of the better-paid roles reachable without a degree.
Day-to-day duties
- Diagnose and repair production machinery
- Carry out preventive maintenance schedules
- Align, level and install new equipment
- Work with hydraulics, pneumatics and drives
- Respond to breakdowns under time pressure
Skills employers look for
- Mechanical and electrical diagnosis
- Reading technical drawings
- Precision alignment
- Working calmly when a line is down
Requirements
- Apprenticeship or technical programme
- Mechanical and basic electrical competence
- On-call availability at many sites
- Confined space and lockout/tagout training
How to get started
- 1 Start as a machine operator or maintenance helper
- 2 Enter an apprenticeship or technical programme
- 3 Build hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical skills
- 4 Specialise, or move to maintenance supervision
Job outlook: Persistent shortage in manufacturing regions. When a production line stops, the cost per hour makes these skills expensive to be without — which is reflected in the pay.
Common questions about industrial mechanics
What does an industrial mechanic do?
Industrial mechanics and millwrights install, maintain and repair the machinery that keeps plants running. One of the better-paid roles reachable without a degree. Day to day, that means diagnose and repair production machinery, carry out preventive maintenance schedules, align, level and install new equipment and work with hydraulics, pneumatics and drives.
How do you become an industrial mechanic?
The usual route is: (1) start as a machine operator or maintenance helper, (2) enter an apprenticeship or technical programme, (3) build hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical skills, (4) specialise, or move to maintenance supervision. Employers typically look for apprenticeship or technical programme, mechanical and basic electrical competence and on-call availability at many sites.
Do you need a certification to work as an industrial mechanic?
Usually not. Most employers hire industrial mechanics without a specific licence, and train on the job.
Are industrial mechanics in demand?
Persistent shortage in manufacturing regions. When a production line stops, the cost per hour makes these skills expensive to be without — which is reflected in the pay.
What is the difference between a millwright and a maintenance technician?
Millwrights and industrial mechanics work on production machinery — precision alignment, drives, hydraulics — usually in plants. Maintenance technicians cover buildings and general facilities across several trades. Industrial work is more specialised and generally pays more.
Where are industrial mechanics most in demand?
See the metro and rural areas with the highest concentration of this work, ranked from Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data.
Similar roles
Pay figures are estimates for guidance only, not an offer or guarantee. Advertised ranges come from job postings on LocalWork; government figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Actual pay depends on experience, certifications, shift and employer.