Career profile for Industrial Machinery Mechanic

What does an Industrial Machinery Mechanic do?

Industrial Machinery Mechanics repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems.

In addition, Industrial Machinery Mechanics may also install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to plans.

What kind of tasks does an Industrial Machinery Mechanic perform regularly?

Industrial Machinery Mechanics are often responsible for overseeing or executing some or all of the following tasks:

Repair or maintain the operating condition of industrial production or processing machinery or equipment.
Repair or replace broken or malfunctioning components of machinery or equipment.
Clean, lubricate, or adjust parts, equipment, or machinery.
Disassemble machinery or equipment to remove parts and make repairs.
Reassemble equipment after completion of inspections, testing, or repairs.
Examine parts for defects, such as breakage or excessive wear.
Record repairs and maintenance performed.
Operate newly repaired machinery or equipment to verify the adequacy of repairs.
Record parts or materials used and order or requisition new parts or materials, as necessary.
Observe and test the operation of machinery or equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using voltmeters or other testing devices.
Analyze test results, machine error messages, or information obtained from operators to diagnose equipment problems.
Study blueprints or manufacturers' manuals to determine correct installation or operation of machinery.
Cut and weld metal to repair broken metal parts, fabricate new parts, or assemble new equipment.
Enter codes and instructions to program computer-controlled machinery.
Demonstrate equipment functions and features to machine operators.

The above responsibilities are specific to Industrial Machinery Mechanics. More generally, Industrial Machinery Mechanics are involved in several broader types of activities:

Activities	Importance	Details
Making Decisions and Solving Problems		Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings		Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events		Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment		Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials		Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment

Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

What is an Industrial Machinery Mechanic salary?

The median salary for an Industrial Machinery Mechanic is $55,490, and the average salary is $57,350. Both the median and average roughly describe the middle of the Industrial Machinery Mechanic salary range, but the average is more easily affected by extremely high or low salaries.

Many Industrial Machinery Mechanics earn significantly more or less than the average, due to several factors. About 10% of Industrial Machinery Mechanics earn less than $35,720 per year, 25% earn less than $44,270, 75% earn less than $67,370, and 90% earn less than $82,450.

Between the years of 2020 and 2030, the number of Industrial Machinery Mechanics is expected to change by 21.3%, and there should be roughly 45,100 open positions for Industrial Machinery Mechanics every year.

Median annual salary: $55,490
Typical salary range: $35,720 - $82,450
Projected growth (2020 - 2030): 21.3%

What personality traits are common among Industrial Machinery Mechanics?

Interests

Career interests describe a person's preferences for different types of working environments and activities. When a person's interest match the demands of an occupation, people are usually more engaged and satisfied in that role.

Compared to most occupations, those who work as an Industrial Machinery Mechanic are usually higher in their Realistic, Investigative, and Conventional interests.

Industrial Machinery Mechanics typically have very strong Realistic interests. Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Also, Industrial Machinery Mechanics typically have moderate Investigative interests. Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Lastly, Industrial Machinery Mechanics typically have moderate Conventional interests. Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Values

People differ in their values, or what is most important to them for building job satisfaction and fulfillment.

Compared to most people, those working as an Industrial Machinery Mechanic tend to value Support, Independence, and Working Conditions.

Most importantly, Industrial Machinery Mechanics strongly value Support. Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees.

Second, Industrial Machinery Mechanics moderately value Independence. Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions.

Lastly, Industrial Machinery Mechanics moderately value Working Conditions. Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions.

Psychological Demands

Each occupation brings its own set of psychological demands, which describe the characteristics necessary to perform the job well.

In order to perform their job successfully, people who work as Industrial Machinery Mechanics must consistently demonstrate qualities such as dependability, attention to detail, and initiative.

Below, you'll find a list of qualities typically required of Industrial Machinery Mechanics, ranked by importance:

Demands	Importance	Details
Dependability		Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Attention to Detail		Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Initiative		Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Adaptability/Flexibility		Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Persistence		Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Dependability

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Attention to Detail

Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Initiative

Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Adaptability/Flexibility

Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Persistence

Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

What education and training do Industrial Machinery Mechanics need?

Industrial Machinery Mechanics often have training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Industrial Machinery Mechanics usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with this occupation.

Educational degrees among Industrial Machinery Mechanics

9.3% did not complete high school or secondary school
42.5% completed high school or secondary school
26.8% completed some college coursework
14.5% earned a Associate's degree
5.9% earned a Bachelor's degree
0.9% earned a Master's degree
0.2% earned a doctorate or professional degree

Knowledge and expertise required by Industrial Machinery Mechanics

Industrial Machinery Mechanics may benefit from understanding of specialized subject areas, such as mechanical, production and processing, or engineering and technology knowledge.

The list below shows several areas in which most Industrial Machinery Mechanics might want to build proficiency, ranked by importance.

Knowledge areas	Importance	Details
Mechanical		Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Production and Processing		Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Engineering and Technology		Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Design		Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Mathematics		Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Mechanical

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Production and Processing

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Engineering and Technology

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Design

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Important Abilities needed by Industrial Machinery Mechanics

Industrial Machinery Mechanics must develop a particular set of abilities to perform their job well. Abilities are individual capacities that influence a person's information processing, sensory perception, motor coordination, and physical strength or endurance. Individuals may naturally have certain abilities without explicit training, but most abilities can be sharpened somewhat through practice.

For example, Industrial Machinery Mechanics need abilities such as problem sensitivity, manual dexterity, and finger dexterity in order to perform their job at a high level. The list below shows several important abilities for Industrial Machinery Mechanics, ranked by their relative importance.

Abilities	Importance	Details
Problem Sensitivity		The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
Manual Dexterity		The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Finger Dexterity		The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Control Precision		The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Near Vision		The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

Manual Dexterity

The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Finger Dexterity

The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

Control Precision

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Critical Skills needed by Industrial Machinery Mechanics

Skills are developed capacities that enable people to function effectively in real-world settings. Unlike abilities, skills are typically easier to build through practice and experience. Skills influence effectiveness in areas such as learning, working with others, design, troubleshooting, and more.

Industrial Machinery Mechanics frequently use skills like operations monitoring, operation and control, and equipment maintenance to perform their job effectively. The list below shows several critical skills for Industrial Machinery Mechanics, ranked by their relative importance.

Skills	Importance	Details
Operations Monitoring		Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control		Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Equipment Maintenance		Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Troubleshooting		Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Repairing		Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Operations Monitoring

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Operation and Control

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Equipment Maintenance

Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Troubleshooting

Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Repairing

Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

What is the source of this information?

The information provided on this page is adapted from data and descriptions published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration under the CC BY 4.0 license. TraitLab has modified some information for ease of use and reading, and the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

If you have any questions or suggestions about this information, please send a message.

Career profile Industrial Machinery Mechanic

Industrial Machinery Mechanic

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