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Maintenance Workers, Machinery
Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.
Other titles employers use
Lubricator · Machine Repairer · Maintainer · Maintenance Craftsman · Maintenance Man · Maintenance Mechanic · Maintenance Technician (Maintenance Tech) · Maintenance Worker
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Dismantle machines and remove parts for repair, using hand tools, chain falls, jacks, cranes, or hoists.
- Reassemble machines after the completion of repair or maintenance work.
- Record production, repair, and machine maintenance information.
- Lubricate or apply adhesives or other materials to machines, machine parts, or other equipment according to specified procedures.
- Install, replace, or change machine parts and attachments, according to production specifications.
- Set up and operate machines, and adjust controls to regulate operations.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Operations Monitoring
- Equipment Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
- Repairing
- Operation and Control
- Quality Control Analysis
Subjects to know
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
- Administration and Management
- English Language
- Design
Useful strengths
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Problem Sensitivity
- Manual Dexterity
- Near Vision
- Control Precision
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.3 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 4.3 | Standing or moving for most of it |
| Talking face to face | 4.3 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 4.1 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A certificate or some college 54%
- High school or less 41%
- A two-year degree 3%
- A master's degree 2%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
- Presentation software
- Word processing software
- Facilities management software
- Data base user interface and query software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 11,990
- Job openings each year
- 1,210
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 18.9%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 11,990 | 1,210 | 18.9% |
| California | 4,100 | 400 | 10.8% |
| Oklahoma | 3,880 | 380 | 8.4% |
| Tennessee | 3,880 | 400 | 22.8% |
| Kentucky | 3,630 | 350 | 8.0% |
| North Carolina | 3,030 | 290 | 7.4% |
| Florida | 2,890 | 290 | 16.1% |
| New York | 2,850 | 0 | −7.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 2,730 | 260 | 7.9% |
| Louisiana | 2,720 | 270 | 11.9% |
| Utah | 2,540 | 260 | 27.6% |
| Missouri | 2,340 | 230 | 10.9% |
| Ohio | 2,120 | 200 | 7.6% |
| Minnesota | 2,020 | 200 | 12.8% |
| Georgia | 1,480 | 140 | 10.4% |
| Indiana | 1,400 | 140 | 9.4% |
| Kansas | 1,390 | 130 | 8.6% |
| Maryland | 1,340 | 130 | 10.7% |
| Iowa | 1,260 | 120 | 14.5% |
| South Carolina | 1,210 | 120 | 17.5% |
| Arizona | 1,160 | 120 | 26.1% |
| Wisconsin | 1,020 | 100 | 8.5% |
| Washington | 960 | 100 | 4.3% |
| Virginia | 870 | 80 | −1.1% |
| Mississippi | 850 | 80 | 11.8% |
| Nebraska | 840 | 80 | 12.0% |
| Colorado | 760 | 80 | 18.8% |
| Connecticut | 740 | 70 | 12.1% |
| Oregon | 730 | 70 | 14.1% |
| Nevada | 710 | 80 | 26.8% |
| Michigan | 690 | 70 | 3.0% |
| Alabama | 620 | 60 | 14.8% |
| Arkansas | 620 | 60 | 5.1% |
| New Jersey | 580 | 60 | 9.4% |
| West Virginia | 560 | 50 | 7.7% |
| Idaho | 510 | 50 | 18.6% |
| New Hampshire | 370 | 40 | 15.6% |
| Alaska | 360 | 40 | 16.1% |
| Puerto Rico | 360 | 40 | 16.1% |
| Wyoming | 360 | 30 | 2.9% |
| Maine | 240 | 20 | −7.7% |
| Illinois | 200 | 20 | 11.1% |
| Montana | 180 | 20 | 12.5% |
| Rhode Island | 170 | 20 | 6.3% |
| Massachusetts | 150 | 10 | 7.1% |
| New Mexico | 130 | 10 | 8.3% |
| South Dakota | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| Guam | 70 | 10 | — |
| Vermont | 70 | 10 | — |
| North Dakota | 60 | 10 | — |
| Delaware | 50 | 10 | 25.0% |
| District of Columbia | 40 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Compare every college offering heavy/industrial equipment maintenance technologies/technicians