Industrial Machinery Mechanic / Maintenance Technician
Trades/Construction · $63,750 median · 12–208 weeks training · Structurally ineligible for Workforce Pell
How we know this
The wage and outlook figures are verified against the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. We show our sources so you can check every number yourself.
Honest tradeoffs
manufacturing reshoring growth signal
POSITIVE NOTE: BLS projects 16% growth for industrial mechanics 2024-2034 — significantly higher than other trades. Manufacturing reshoring (semiconductors, EVs, batteries, pharmaceuticals) is creating sustained, accelerating demand.
specialty pays significantly more
PLC programming, robotics, and automation specialty work pays 30-50% more than general mechanical work. Same SOC, very different income trajectory.
Wages
Earnings by career stage
range · estimatedResearched estimates by experience level, setting, and region — see the full breakdown below. The BLS median is the one figure verified directly against bls.gov.
Pay by stage & setting
- Entry industrial mechanic $42-55K at smaller manufacturers
- Experienced at major plants (auto, aerospace, semiconductor) $60-85K
- Specialty work (CNC programming, robotics, automation, PLC troubleshooting) reaches $75-100K+
- Supervisor positions $85K+. Manufacturing reshoring is creating sustained demand
- Semiconductor fabs in Phoenix, Columbus OH, Austin TX are aggressive recruiters. Most positions are employer-paid training before hire — you usually don't pay anything to start.
Workforce Pell eligibility
Not eligible for Workforce Pell
Training
That's a wide span on purpose: you can start working after a short pre-apprenticeship or entry course, while the longer figure reflects a full apprenticeship. The career ladder below breaks the journey into steps.
Ways in
Paid, on-the-job training combined with classroom hours — you get a wage from day one instead of paying tuition.
Common sponsors: Major manufacturers (Caterpillar, John Deere, Ford, GM, Toyota, Honda, Boeing, Lockheed), Semiconductor fabs (Intel, TSMC, Samsung, GlobalFoundries), IBEW (industrial-electrical work), IUOE (International Union of Operating Engineers), Mechanical Contractors Association — industrial maintenance
An associate degree or certificate — usually the fastest accredited credential, far cheaper than a four-year school, and often Workforce Pell–eligible.
Credentials you'll earnwith typical prep time
Cost vs. payoff
Cost vs. payoff
- Training cost
- $0–$18,000
- Time to start earning
- ~12 weeks
- Pays for itself in
- about 3 months
- Typical debt
- ~$30,000
- Time to start earning
- ~4 years
- Pays for itself in
- varies widely
We're not anti-college — for many careers a degree is the right call. But the honest gap is real: this path starts paying while a 4-year student is still accumulating cost. Degree figures are a national reference (average borrower debt ~$29–38K; sources vary), not a guarantee for any specific school or major.
Getting started — your first moves
- 1
Find an apprenticeship
Apply to a registered apprenticeship — you earn a paycheck from day one while you train, instead of paying tuition.
- 2
Earn your first credential
Study for and pass the OSHA 10 (General Industry).
- 3
Get hired and grow
Land an entry role and start building experience — pay climbs as you move up the career ladder above.
See it where you live
The figures above are national. Pay and programs vary a lot by state — pick yours and we'll send you straight to the official local data, no guessing.
Career ladder
Industrial Machinery Mechanic Helper / Apprentice
Entry$45,000Entry; manufacturing facilities + petrochemical + power generation primary employers
Training: NCCER Core + manufacturer training OR direct hire at industrial facility
Journey Industrial Mechanic
Year 3$66,000Skilled mechanic; pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical systems depth; 16% projected growth
Training: 3+ years experience + manufacturer certifications + mechanical/electrical depth
Senior Mechanic / Specialty (Semiconductor, Pharma, Food Processing)
Year 7$90,000Specialty industries pay premium; semiconductor (CHIPS Act tailwind) particularly strong
Training: Specialty industry depth (clean room, GMP, cleanroom protocols) + advanced certifications
Maintenance Manager / Reliability Engineer
Year 12$120,000Ceiling tier; reliability engineering specialty highest-paid path; CMRP (Certified Maintenance Reliability Professional) cert
Training: Leadership development + reliability engineering specialty (CMRP cert) OR some BS Engineering Tech
State licensure
No state-specific licensure requirements documented in corpus.
Data limitations
- • BLS OEWS May 2025 per-occupation detail tables not yet pushed
- • Per-state and per-MSA industrial mechanic wage tables
- • Per-manufacturer apprenticeship program details and current openings
- • Semiconductor fab apprenticeship landscape (Intel, TSMC, Samsung) detailed
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