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Skilled Trades

Industrial Machinery Mechanics

Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems. May also install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to plans.

Median salary (BLS)

$64,520

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$46k – $95k

Job outlook

+16% (much faster than average)

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $70,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Industrial Machinery Mechanics

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: No degree (trade/license)

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Industrial Machinery Mechanics" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Industrial Machinery Mechanics

    Entry / Junior

    $46,120

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Industrial Machinery Mechanics

    Established

    $64,520

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Industrial Machinery Mechanics

    Senior

    $79,845

Key skills

A typical day

  • •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.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Skilled Trades

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.