Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Using precise hand and finger movements to control tools, equipment, or materials.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights typically need a high school diploma. Industrial machinery mechanics and machinery maintenance workers also usually need at least a year of on-the-job training. Most millwrights go through an apprenticeship program that may last up to 4 years. PayThe median annual wage for industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights was $64,100 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights is projected to grow 14 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 51,900 openings for industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Learn about training pathways and use the career details above to identify the type of apprenticeship or technical preparation to research.
Pay
The median annual wage for industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights was $64,100 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights is projected to grow 14 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 51,900 openings for industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights is projected to grow 14 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 51,900 openings for industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights install, maintain, and repair factory equipment and other industrial machinery.
Work Environment
Workers in this occupation must follow safety precautions and use protective equipment, such as hardhats, safety glasses, and hearing protectors. Most work full time in manufacturing facilities. However, they may be on call and work night or weekend shifts. Overtime is common.
How to Become an Industrial Machinery Mechanic, Machinery Maintenance Worker, or Millwright
Industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights typically need a high school diploma. Industrial machinery mechanics and machinery maintenance workers also usually need at least a year of on-the-job training. Most millwrights go through an apprenticeship program that may last up to 4 years.
Pay
The median annual wage for industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights was $64,100 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights is projected to grow 14 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 51,900 openings for industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Workers in this occupation must follow safety precautions and use protective equipment, such as hardhats, safety glasses, and hearing protectors. Most work full time in manufacturing facilities. However, they may be on call and work night or weekend shifts. Overtime is common.
How to Become an Industrial Machinery Mechanic, Machinery Maintenance Worker, or Millwright
Industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights typically need a high school diploma. Industrial machinery mechanics and machinery maintenance workers also usually need at least a year of on-the-job training. Most millwrights go through an apprenticeship program that may last up to 4 years.
Pay
The median annual wage for industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights was $64,100 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights is projected to grow 14 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 51,900 openings for industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Apprenticeship & Training
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.