Maintenance Technician

Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems. May also install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to plans.

Also called: Industrial Machinery Mechanics, Industrial Machinery Mechanic, Industrial Mechanic, Loom Fixer, Loom Technician, Machine Adjuster, Machine Mechanic, Mechanic, Overhauler, Sewing Machine Mechanic, Anode Rebuilder, Appliance Fixer, Appliance Mechanic, Area Mechanic, Assembly Mechanic, Auto Equipment Maintenance Servicer (Automotive Equipment Maintenance Servicer), Automatic Pinsetter Adjuster, Automotive Maintenance Equipment Servicer, Aviation Support Equipment Repairer, Bag Adjuster, Bag Machine Adjuster, Bakery Machine Mechanic, Belt Repairer, Boilerhouse Mechanic, Breakdown Man, Breakdown Worker, Broach Troubleshooter, Buhr Dresser, Canal Equipment Mechanic, Carpet and Rug Machine Fixer, Case Finishing Machine Adjuster, Cellophane Casting Machine Repairer, Chain Repairer, Changer Fixer, Channel Man, Channel Worker, Chemical Processing Equipment Repairer, Comb Fixer, Comb Setter, Comber Setter, Composing Room Machinist, Composite Gas Maintenance Mechanic, Compressed Gas Equipment Mechanic, Compressed Gas Equipment Service Mechanic, Compressed Gas Plant Maintenance Mechanic, Conveyor Belt Installer, Conveyor Installer, Conveyor Maintenance Mechanic, Conveyor Mechanic, Cooling Tower Technician, Crusher Screen Repairer, Deck Mechanic, Dryer and Washer Mechanic, Electrical Product Line Maintenance Mechanic, Electronic Production Line Maintenance Mechanic, Envelope Folding Machine Adjuster, Envelope Machine Adjuster, Equipment Maintenance Technician (Equipment Maintenance Tech), Equipment Mechanic, Felt Checker, Felt Machine Mechanic, Feltman, Field Service Mechanic, Field Service Representative (Field Service Rep), Filling Station Equipment Mechanic, Finished Metal Repairer, Fixer, Fixture Fabricator Repairer, Fluid Power Mechanic, Foiling Machine Adjuster, Forge Shop Machine Repairer, Forming Machine Adjuster, Foundry Equipment Mechanic, Frame Fixer, Fuel System Maintenance Worker, Fuel Systems Maintenance Worker, Garnett Mechanic, Gas Plant Repairer, Gas Turbine Mechanic, Gas Welding Equipment Mechanic, Gasoline Pump Mechanic, Glass Lined Tank Repairer, Grain and Feed Maintenance Mechanic, Hydraulic Mechanic, Hydraulic Press Servicer, Hydraulic Repairer, Hydraulic Rubbish Compactor Mechanic, Hydroelectric Machinery Mechanic, Industrial Conveyor Belt Repairer, Industrial Machine System Technician, Industrial Machinist Systems Technician, Industrial Maintenance Mechanic, Inspecting Machine Adjuster, Jacquard Fixer, Jacquard Loom Card Changer, Journeyman Mechanic, Knitter Mechanic, Knitting Machine Mechanic, Laundry Machine Mechanic, Liner Replacer, Link Trainer Maintenance Man, Link Trainer Maintenance Worker, Linotype Machinist, Linotype Mechanic, Loom Mechanic, Loom Overhauler, Lubrication Equipment Servicer, Machine Clothing Man, Machine Clothing Replacer, Machine Clothing Worker, Machine Fixer, Machine Maintenance Repairer, Machine Operator Slitter Technician, Machine Overhauler, Machine Repairer, Machine Repairman, Machine Tool Mechanic, Machine Tool Rebuilder, Machinery Mechanic, Maintenance Mechanic, Maintenance Repairman, Manufacturers Service Representative, Manufacturing Mechanic, Marine Equipment Machinery Maintenance Mechanic, Marine Erector, Marine Mechanic, Mill Dresser, Mining and Quarrying Machinery Repairer, Monotype Mechanic, Motor Rebuilder, Needle Board Repairer, Needle Straightener, Oil Field Equipment Mechanic, Outfitter, Oven Equipment Repairer, Parts Salvager, Pin Puller, Pin Pusher, Pin Setter, Plant Mechanic, Plant Tech (Plant Technician), Pneumatic Tool Repairer, Pneumatic Tube Repairer, Powder Line Repairer, Powerhouse Mechanic, Press Maintainer, Printing Machine Mechanic, Printing Mechanist, Production Machinery Mechanic, Production Mechanic, Pump Erector, Pump Mechanic, Pump Servicer, Reed Man, Reed Repairer, Reed Worker, Regulator Mechanic, Repair Miller, Rig Mechanic, Roll Mechanic, Roller Mechanic, Roller Repairer, Roller Shop Utility Worker, Rubberizing Mechanic, Scale Mechanic, Screen and Cyclone Repairer, Section Repairer, Service Station Equipment Mechanic, Set Up Worker, Sewing Machine Adjuster, Sewing Machine Maintenance Mechanic, Sewing Machine Repairer, Shaker Repairer, Shift Mechanic, Shuttle Fixer, Siene Maker, Silk Screen Repairer, Smelting and Refining Ore Dressing Repairer, Spare Fixer, Spindle Plumber, Spinner Fixer, Spray Gun Repairer, Stoker Erector, Stoker Servicer, Switch Repairer, Test Engine Mechanic, Textile Machine Maintenance Mechanic, Textile Overhauler, Tipple Engineer, Tool and Fixture Repairer, Tool Mechanic, Tool Setter, Tooling Mechanic, Tow Motor Mechanic, Treatment Plant Mechanic, Turbine Mechanic, Underground Mine Machinery Mechanic, Utility Systems Repairer Operator, Washing Machine Mechanic, Water or Power Generation Plant Machinery Maintenance Mechanic, Water Treatment Plant Repairer, Wax Pattern Repairer, Welding Equipment Repairer, Welding System and Equipment Repairer, Welding Systems and Equipment Repairer, Welding, Brazing, and Burning Machine Repairer, Wheel and Caster Repairer, Wind Tunnel Mechanic, Winder Fixer, Wire Repairer, X-Ray Equipment Mechanic

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

Repair or maintain the operating condition of industrial production or processing machinery or equipment.
Repair or replace broken or malfunctioning components of machinery or equipment.
Clean, lubricate, or adjust parts, equipment, or machinery.
Disassemble machinery or equipment to remove parts and make repairs.
Reassemble equipment after completion of inspections, testing, or repairs.
Examine parts for defects, such as breakage or excessive wear.
Record repairs and maintenance performed.
Operate newly repaired machinery or equipment to verify the adequacy of repairs.
Record parts or materials used and order or requisition new parts or materials, as necessary.
Observe and test the operation of machinery or equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using voltmeters or other testing devices.

Skills, machines and equipment

Operations Monitoring
Operation and Control
Equipment Maintenance
Troubleshooting
Repairing
Quality Control Analysis
Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Active Learning
Monitoring
Complex Problem Solving
Equipment Selection

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Post-Secondary Certificate (47.22% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

O*NET Job Zone 3: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

55,010–78,780 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 49-9041.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Build troubleshooting, preventive-maintenance, and controls experience; explore senior technician, maintenance planning, or lead responsibilities.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Post-Secondary Certificate (47.22% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
O*NET Job Zone 3: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Industrial Machinery Mechanics