Headline risk
0%
Very Low RiskIndustrial machinery mechanics
United States AI Work Index tracks this occupation on the shared structural baseline and then layers on local demand resilience, wages, and confidence.
Why This Score
Share of job tasks that overlap with current AI capabilities
Median annual wage
Projected employment change over 10 years
Typical preparation needed for this occupation
Occupation profile
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.
Task evidence
100% weighted task match · 4% effective coverage
Scores combine AI task overlap, human advantages, and local demand. How it works
United States Now
Median Wage
USD 63,760
Employment 2024
439.6K
Projected Change (2024–34)
16.1%
Openings (2024–34)
45.7K
Wage distribution
Demand outlook
Overall employment of industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights is projected to grow 13 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Role Profile
Tasks
- 1. Repair or replace broken or malfunctioning components of machinery or equipment. AI use: 0%
- 2. Repair or maintain the operating condition of industrial production or processing machinery or equipment. AI use: 0%
- 3. Clean, lubricate, or adjust parts, equipment, or machinery. AI use: 0%
- 4. Examine parts for defects, such as breakage or excessive wear. AI use: 0%
- 5. Disassemble machinery or equipment to remove parts and make repairs. AI use: 0%
- 6. Reassemble equipment after completion of inspections, testing, or repairs. AI use: 0%
Technologies
Requirements
Work context
Worker profile
Median age 45.5 · 329K employed
Under 25: 5% · 25–54: 67% · 55+: 28%
Related
No direct US role match is available yet for this occupation.
Source coverage
11/11 source families · O*NET 30.2 / OEWS 2024 / ORS 2025 / OOH 2025-08-28 / Projections 2024-34 / CPS 2025 / Anthropic task penetration
Mapping quality
crosswalk_exact · employment series present
Narrative & sources
Industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights install, maintain, and repair factory equipment and other industrial machinery.
Workers in this occupation must follow safety precautions and use protective equipment, such as hardhats, safety glasses, and hearing protectors. Most work full time in manufacturing facilities. However, they may be on call and work night or weekend shifts. Overtime is common.
Industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights typically need a high school diploma. Industrial machinery mechanics and machinery maintenance workers also usually need at least a year of on-the-job training. Most millwrights go through an apprenticeship program that may last up to 4 years.
The median annual wage for industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights was $63,510 in May 2024.
Overall employment of industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights is projected to grow 13 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Published limitations
This page shows the local country layer, not realised individual job outcomes. The global structural baseline is shared across countries; only the local demand and wage layer changes here.
Built from O*NET occupation descriptions, task statements, technology skills, work context, Job Zones, Anthropic task penetration, BLS OEWS wages, BLS projection tables, BLS ORS requirements, BLS OOH narrative content, BLS skills data, and BLS CPS occupation age tables.