Career comparison
Machinery Maintenance Worker vs. Maintenance Helper
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Machinery maintenance workers earn more at the median ($60,850 vs. $39,630), while maintenance helpers usually get to work faster (A few weeks on the job of training). Machinery maintenance workers lubricate, clean and do routine repairs on factory machines. Maintenance helpers assist mechanics and technicians with repairs while learning the trade.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Machinery Maintenance Worker | Maintenance Helper | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $60,850 ($29.25/hr) | $39,630 ($19.05/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $42,000 – $88,550 | $29,310 – $55,890 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -1.9% (a projected decline) | +5.3% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 4,400 | 13,600 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | A year or more on the job | A few weeks on the job |
| Key credential | MLT I | OSHA 10 |
| Work setting | Workers are on factory floors, often in noisy, oily areas.. | Helpers work in plants, buildings, shops and outdoors.. |
What each job does
Machinery Maintenance Worker
- Lubricate machinery
- Change belts and filters
- Clean equipment
- Inspect for wear
- Make minor adjustments
Maintenance Helper
- Assist mechanics
- Carry tools and parts
- Clean work areas
- Hold materials
- Do simple repairs
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work and physical work. Both are part of the mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose machinery maintenance worker if…
- I like machines
- I don’t mind getting dirty
- I’m reliable
Choose maintenance helper if…
- I want to learn a trade
- I like hands-on work
- I’m reliable
Still torn? Take the Machinery Maintenance Worker fit quiz and the Maintenance Helper fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, machinery maintenance worker or maintenance helper?
Machinery Maintenance Workers earn more at the median: $60,850 versus $39,630 for maintenance helpers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Maintenance Helpers typically train faster (A few weeks on the job) than machinery maintenance workers (A year or more on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects maintenance helpers to grow +5.3% from 2025–35, compared with -1.9% for machinery maintenance workers.