Median hourly earnings of industrial machinery mechanics were $18.26 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $14.62 and $22.95. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $11.91, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $27.48.
Machinery maintenance workers earned less than the higher skilled machinery mechanics. Median hourly earnings of machinery maintenance workers were $15.63 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $12.11 and $19.81. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $9.57, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $24.19.
Earnings vary by industry and geographic region. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of industrial machinery mechanics in 2002 are shown below:
| Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution | $26.25 |
| Motor vehicle parts manufacturing | 22.02 |
| Local government | 19.14 |
| Converted paper products manufacturing | 18.04 |
| Machinery, equipment, and supplies merchant wholesalers | 15.93 |
About 26 percent of industrial machinery installation, repair, and maintenance workers, except millwrights are union members. Labor unions that represent these workers include the United Steelworkers of America; the United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America; the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers; the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America; and the International Union of Electronic, Electrical, Salaried, Machine, and Furniture Workers.
A wide range of employees is required to keep sophisticated industrial machinery running smoothly—from highly skilled industrial machinery mechanics to lower skilled machinery maintenance workers who perform routine tasks. Their work is vital to the success of industrial facilities, not only because an idle machine will delay production, but also because a machine that is not properly repaired and maintained may damage the final product or injure an operator.
The most basic tasks in this process are performed by machinery maintenance workers. These employees are responsible for cleaning and lubricating machinery, performing basic diagnostic tests, checking performance, and testing damaged machine parts to determine whether major repairs are necessary. In carrying out these tasks, maintenance workers must follow machine specifications and adhere to maintenance schedules. Maintenance workers may perform minor repairs, but major repairs are generally left to machinery mechanics.
Industrial machinery mechanics, also called industrial machinery repairers or maintenance machinists, are highly skilled workers who maintain and repair machinery in a plant or factory. To do this effectively, they must be able to detect minor problems and correct them before they become major problems. For example, after hearing a vibration from a machine, the mechanic must decide whether it is due to worn belts, weak motor bearings, or some other problem. Computerized maintenance, vibration analysis techniques, and self-diagnostic systems are aiding in this task, but mechanics still need years of training and experience to perform effectively.
After diagnosing the problem, the industrial machinery mechanic disassembles the equipment to repair or replace the necessary parts. When repairing electronically controlled machinery, mechanics may work closely with electronic repairers or electricians who maintain the machine's electronic parts. (Statements on electrical and electronic installers and repairers, as well as electricians, appear elsewhere in the Handbook.) Increasingly, mechanics need electronic and computer skills in order to repair sophisticated equipment on their own. Once a repair is made, mechanics perform tests to ensure that the machine is running smoothly.
Although repairing machines is the primary responsibility of industrial machinery mechanics, they also may perform preventive maintenance and install new machinery. For example, they adjust and calibrate automated manufacturing equipment, such as industrial robots. As plants retool and invest in new equipment, they increasingly rely on mechanics to properly situate and install the machinery. In many plants, this has traditionally been the job of millwrights, but mechanics are increasingly called upon to carry out this task. (See the statement on millwrights elsewhere in the Handbook.)
Industrial machinery mechanics and machinery maintenance workers use a variety of tools to perform repairs and preventive maintenance. They may use a screwdriver and wrench to adjust a motor, or a hoist to lift a printing press off the ground. When replacements for broken or defective parts are not readily available, or when a machine must be quickly returned to production, mechanics may sketch a part to be fabricated by the plant's machine shop. Mechanics use catalogs to order replacement parts and often follow blueprints and engineering specifications to maintain and fix equipment. By keeping complete and up-to-date records, mechanics try to anticipate trouble and service equipment before factory production is interrupted.
Employment of industrial machinery installation, repair, and maintenance workers, except millwrights is projected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through 2012. Nevertheless, applicants with broad skills in machine repair and maintenance should have favorable job prospects. Many mechanics are expected to retire in coming years, and employers have reported difficulty in recruiting young workers with the necessary skills to be industrial machinery mechanics. Most job openings will stem from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or who retire or leave the labor force for other reasons.
As more firms introduce automated production equipment, these workers will be needed to ensure that these machines are properly maintained and consistently in operation. However, many new machines are capable of self-diagnosis, increasing their reliability and somewhat reducing the need for repairers. Increasing imports and the relocation of production facilities abroad also are expected to dampen employment growth for these workers.
Unlike many other manufacturing occupations, industrial machinery installation, repair, and maintenance workers, except millwrights are not usually affected by seasonal changes in production. During slack periods, when some plant workers are laid off, mechanics often are retained to do major overhaul jobs and to keep expensive machinery in working order. Although these workers may face layoff or a reduced workweek when economic conditions are particularly severe, they usually are less affected than other workers because machines have to be maintained regardless of production level.
.Machinery maintenance workers typically receive short-term on-the-job training in order to perform routine tasks, such as setting up, cleaning, lubricating, and starting machinery. This training may be offered by experienced workers, professional trainers, or product representatives.
Industrial machinery mechanics, on the other hand, often learn their trade through 4-year apprenticeship programs that combine classroom instruction with on-the-job-training. These programs usually are sponsored by a local trade union. Other mechanics start as helpers and learn the skills of the trade informally or by taking courses offered by machinery manufacturers and community colleges.
Mechanics learn from experienced repairers how to operate, disassemble, repair, and assemble machinery. Classroom instruction focuses on subjects such as shop mathematics, blueprint reading, welding, electronics, and computer training.
Employers prefer to hire those who have completed high school or technical college and have taken courses in mechanical drawing, mathematics, blueprint reading, computers, and electronics. Mechanical aptitude and manual dexterity are important characteristics for workers in this trade. Good physical conditioning and agility also are necessary because repairers sometimes have to lift heavy objects or climb to reach equipment.
Opportunities for advancement are limited. Machinery maintenance workers may gain additional skills to make more complex repairs to machinery or work as supervisors. Industrial machinery mechanics also may advance either by working with more complicated equipment or by becoming supervisors. The most highly skilled repairers can be promoted to master mechanic or can become machinists, millwrights, or tool and die makers.
Other occupations that involve repairing and maintaining machinery include aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and service technicians; automotive service technicians and mechanics; diesel service technicians and mechanics; elevator installers and repairers; heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers; heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians and mechanics; machinists; maintenance and repair workers, general; millwrights; and small engine mechanics.
Information about employment and apprenticeship opportunities may be obtained from local employers, from local offices of the State employment service, or from:
For example, after hearing a vibration from a machine, the mechanic must decide whether it is due to worn belts, weak motor bearings or some other problem. Self-diagnostic features on new industrial machinery can determine the cause of a malfunction and, in some cases, alert the mechanic to potential trouble spots before symptoms develop. After diagnosing the problem, the mechanic disassembles the equipment and repairs or replaces the necessary parts. When repairing electronically controlled machinery, maintenance mechanics may work closely with electronic repairers or electricians who maintain the machine's electronic parts. As plants retool and invest in new equipment, they increasingly rely on these workers to properly situate and install the machinery.
Summary of: http://www.careersprep.com/html/ind_mach.html
Nature of the Work When production workers encounter problems with the machines they operate, they call on industrial machinery repairers. These workers, also called industrial machinery mechanics or maintenance machinists, maintain and repair machinery found in a plant or factory. For example, after hearing a vibration from a machine, the mechanic must decide whether it is due to worn belts, weak motor bearings, or some other problem. After diagnosing the problem, the mechanic disassembles the equipment and repairs or replaces the necessary parts. Industrial machinery repairers advance either by working with more complicated equipment or by becoming supervisors.
Summary of: http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/ooh9899/215.htm
Disassembles machinery and equipment to remove parts and make repairs. Repairs, replaces, adjusts, and aligns components of machinery and equipment. Records repairs and maintenance performed. Enters codes and instructions to program computer-controlled machinery. Some may require a bachelor's degree.
Summary of: http://www.lunch-money.com/Careers/Overview/49-9041.00.aspx
For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. Job Training Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. Job Zone Examples These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship Training, Employer and Labor Services (OATELS) website. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Summary of: http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/49-9041.00
Employment is projected to grow more slowly than average, but applicants with broad skills in machine repair and maintenance should have favorable job prospects. Unlike many other manufacturing occupations, these workers usually are not affected by seasonal changes in production. The most basic tasks in this process are performed by machinery maintenance workers. Maintenance workers may perform minor repairs, but major repairs are generally left to machinery mechanics. Industrial machinery mechanics, also called industrial machinery repairers or maintenance machinists, are highly skilled workers who maintain and repair machinery in a plant or factory.
Summary of: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos191.htm
They inspect machines to make sure they are working properly. They also clean, oil, and grease parts and tighten belts on a regular basis. When problems occur, mechanics talk with machine operators to find out what is wrong. Then mechanics inspect the equipment and look for common causes of trouble. They keep track of which parts they have used and order more when the supply is low.
Summary of: http://www.iseek.org/sv/13000.jsp?id=100343
All these factors cost companies money. Repairers regularly inspect machinery and check performance. For example, they adjust and calibrate automated manufacturing equipment such as industrial robots and rebuild components of other industrial machinery. However, industrial machinery repairers increasingly need electronic skills to repair sophisticated equipment on their own. These workers are subject to common shop injuries such as cuts and bruises and use protective equipment such as hard hats, protective glasses, and safety belts.
Summary of: http://www2.jobtrak.com/help_manuals/outlook/ocos194.html
Despite slower-than-average employment growth resulting from technological advancements in machinery, applicants with broad skills in machine repair should have favorable job prospects. These workers include industrial machinery mechanics, millwrights, and general maintenance and repair and machinery maintenance workers. Millwrights install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, or other drawings. To lift and move light machinery, industrial machinery installation, repair, and maintenance workers use rigging and hoisting devices, such as pulleys and cables. When repairing electronically controlled machinery, maintenance mechanics may work closely with electronic repairers or electricians who maintain the machine’s electronic parts.
Summary of: http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/ooh20022003/ocos191.htm
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed. Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools. Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly. Make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects. Disassembles machinery and equipment to remove parts and make repairs.
Summary of: http://jobs.state.va.us/careerguides/Industrialmachinerymechanic.htm