Maintenance Workers, Machinery

Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.

Also called: Lubricator, Machine Repairer, Maintainer, Maintenance Craftsman, Maintenance Man, Maintenance Mechanic, Maintenance Technician (Maintenance Tech), Maintenance Worker, Oiler, Overhauler, Air Deodorizer Servicer, Aircraft Fueler, Airplane Fueler, Airplane Refueler, Airport Refueling Handler, Alemite Operator (Alemite Op), Automatic Pinsetter Mechanic (AT Pinsetter Mechanic), Belt Changer, Belt Dresser, Belt Fixer, Belt Lacer, Belt Repairer, Binder Builder, Blade Changer, Block Greaser, Boiling House Oiler, Booster Pump Oiler, Box Builder, Breaker Oiler, Car Greaser, Car Lubricator, Car Oiler, Carbon Setter, Card Grinder Helper, Cell Installer, Cellar Packer, Collar Packer, Craftsman, Crane Oiler, Curing Press Maintainer, Dope Maintenance Worker, Dopeman, Doper, Dragline Oiler, Engine Oiler, Envelope Adjuster, Equipment Cleaner and Tester, Equipment Oiler, Flatcar Whacker, Flyer Repairer, Frame Bander, Frame Changer, General Maintainer, Grease Cup Filler, Grease Man, Grease Packer, Grease Worker, Greaser, Grinder Machine Knife Setter, Heavy Equipment Mechanic, Hot Man, Hot Worker, Industrial Maintenance Millwright, Jacquard Loom Card Changer, Knife Changer, Leaf Coverer, Lease Out Man, Lease Out Worker, Liner Replacer, Loading Shovel Oiler, Locomotive Oiler, Looper Fixer, Lubrication Worker (Lube Worker), Machine Greaser, Machine Oiler, Machine Repair Journeyman, Machine Repair Mechanic, Machine Repair Tech (Machine Repair Technician), Machine Repairman, Machines Technician (Machines Tech), Machinist, Maintenance Foreman, Maintenance Machinist, Maintenance Repairer, Maintenance Repairman, Maintenance Specialist, Mash Filter Cloth Changer, Merchant Mill Utility Worker, Mill Oiler, Missile Facilities Repairer, Multi-Skilled Maintenance Engineer, Nozzle and Sleeve Worker, Oil Pit Attendant, Oiler Bander, Operations and Maintenance Tech (Operations and Maintenance Technician), Overhead Cleaner Maintainer, Pattern Assembler, Pipe Changer, Polishing Wheel Setter, Pot Fluxer, Pot Liner, Pot Reliner, Printing Roller Handler, Protective Signal Installer, Pulley Maintainer, Pump Oiler, Refueling Ramp Attendant, Refueling Rampman, Repair Technician (Repair Tech), Rod Cup Filler, Rod Filler, Rod Greaser, Roller Checker, Rotary Adjuster, Rubber and Plastics Worker, Salvager, Semiconductor Processing Equipment Production Technician (Semiconductor Processing Equipment Production Tech), Shafter, Shafting Worker, Shovel Oiler, Shuttler, Size Changer, Spindle Repairer, Steam Shovel Oiler, Stem Dryer Maintainer, Stripping Shovel Oiler, Stroboscope Operator (Stroboscope Op), Switch Repairer, Texturing Machine Fixer, Tipple Greaser, Tipple Oiler, Tubing Oiler, Turbo Generator Oiler, Upkeep Worker, Utilities Technician (Utilities Tech), Warp Tension Tester

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

What the worker does

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.
Collaborate with other workers to repair or move machines, machine parts, or equipment.
Read work orders and specifications to determine machines and equipment requiring repair or maintenance.
Inspect or test damaged machine parts, and mark defective areas or advise supervisors of repair needs.
Start machines and observe mechanical operation to determine efficiency and to detect problems.

Skills, machines and equipment

Operations Monitoring
Equipment Maintenance
Troubleshooting
Repairing
Operation and Control
Quality Control Analysis
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Coordination
Judgment and Decision Making
Time Management

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Post-Secondary Certificate (54.10% 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

48,920–75,200 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 49-9043.

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 (54.10% 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.

Maintenance Workers, Machinery