Career comparison
Machinery Maintenance Worker vs. Maintenance Supervisor
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Maintenance supervisors earn more at the median ($79,860 vs. $60,850), while machinery maintenance workers usually get to work faster (A year or more on the job of training). Machinery maintenance workers lubricate, clean and do routine repairs on factory machines. Maintenance supervisors lead the mechanics and technicians who keep equipment running.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Machinery Maintenance Worker | Maintenance Supervisor | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $60,850 ($29.25/hr) | $79,860 ($38.39/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $42,000 – $88,550 | $49,600 – $126,790 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -1.9% (a projected decline) | +4.1% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 4,400 | 48,900 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | A year or more on the job | Several years of hands-on experience |
| Key credential | MLT I | CMRP |
| Work setting | Workers are on factory floors, often in noisy, oily areas.. | Supervisors work in plants, shops, fleet garages and facilities.. |
What each job does
Machinery Maintenance Worker
- Lubricate machinery
- Change belts and filters
- Clean equipment
- Inspect for wear
- Make minor adjustments
Maintenance Supervisor
- Assign work orders
- Plan preventive maintenance
- Supervise technicians
- Order parts
- Troubleshoot complex problems
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on 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 supervisor if…
- I’m a skilled technician
- I like leading crews
- I solve tough problems
Still torn? Take the Machinery Maintenance Worker fit quiz and the Maintenance Supervisor fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, machinery maintenance worker or maintenance supervisor?
Maintenance Supervisors earn more at the median: $79,860 versus $60,850 for machinery maintenance workers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Machinery Maintenance Workers typically train faster (A year or more on the job) than maintenance supervisors (Several years of hands-on experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects maintenance supervisors to grow +4.1% from 2025–35, compared with -1.9% for machinery maintenance workers.