Industrial Maintenance Technician
Keep factory machinery running with mechanical, electrical and PLC troubleshooting.
- $64,520
- 1–4 years
Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Machinery Maintenance Worker
Also called: Machine Maintenance Worker · Oiler · Maintenance Mechanic · Plant Maintenance Worker
What machinery maintenance workers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a machinery maintenance worker do?
Maintenance workers, machinery, lubricate machinery, change parts and perform other routine machinery maintenance. The median pay is $60,850 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A year or more on the job, and employment is projected to grow -1.9% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$60,850$29.25/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-1.9%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year4,400Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA year or more on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs59,700Employment, 2025
What machinery maintenance workers do
Machinery maintenance workers do the routine care that prevents breakdowns. They lubricate machines, change filters and belts, tighten and adjust parts, clean equipment, check for wear and report problems to mechanics.
A high school diploma and long-term on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects little change.
Typical duties
- Lubricate machinery
- Change belts and filters
- Clean equipment
- Inspect for wear
- Make minor adjustments
- Record maintenance
- Report problems
Work environment and schedule
Workers are on factory floors, often in noisy, oily areas.
Schedule: Full time, often shifts.
A day in the life
- Start the lube route.
- Grease bearings.
- Change hydraulic filters.
- Replace a worn belt.
See a full day in the life of a machinery maintenance worker →
Machinery Maintenance Worker salary
Half of machinery maintenance workers earned more than $60,850 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $42,000 for the lowest 10% to $88,550 for the top 10%.
Full machinery maintenance worker pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a machinery maintenance worker
- Finish high school
- Get hired in a plant
- Learn routes and PMs
- Earn MLT I
- Advance
A high school diploma and long-term on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a machinery maintenance worker →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Lubrication
- Belt and filter changes
- Basic mechanics
- Hydraulics basics
- Inspection
People skills
- Reliability
- Attention to detail
- Safety awareness
- Teamwork
All machinery maintenance worker skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- No degree needed
- Path to mechanic jobs
- Steady work
- Hands-on
Cons
- Dirty work
- Noise
- Shift work
- Repetitive routes
Certifications and licenses
- MLT I: Machinery Lubrication Technician.
- OSHA 10: Safety.
- Forklift certification: Helpful.
- Industrial maintenance certificate: Community college.
Career path
- Oiler: Entry.
- Maintenance Worker: Routine.
- Maintenance Mechanic: Repairs.
- Maintenance Supervisor: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Machinery Maintenance Worker training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as grease a bearing the right amount and replace a v-belt, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Millwright
Install, align and maintain the heavy machinery in factories, plants and power stations.
- $65,700
- 4 years (apprenticeship)
Maintenance Helper
Assist mechanics and technicians with repairs while learning the trade.
- $39,630
- A few weeks on the job
Maintenance Supervisor
Lead the mechanics and technicians who keep equipment running.
- $79,860
- Several years of hands-on experience
Compare: Machinery Maintenance Worker vs. Maintenance Technician · Machinery Maintenance Worker vs. Millwright · Machinery Maintenance Worker vs. Maintenance Helper · Machinery Maintenance Worker vs. Maintenance Supervisor
Machinery Maintenance Worker FAQ
Do I need a degree?
No.
Is it a path to mechanic?
Yes.
Is the job growing?
BLS projects little change.
How much does a machinery maintenance worker make?
The median annual wage for machinery maintenance workers was $60,850 ($29.25 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $42,000 and the highest 10% earned more than $88,550.
How long does it take to become a machinery maintenance worker?
Most people need about A year or more on the job of training. A high school diploma and long-term on-the-job training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a machinery maintenance worker?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus long-term on-the-job training.
More machinery maintenance worker questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 49-9043 (Maintenance workers, machinery).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Maintenance workers, machinery (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.