Career Explorer Installation and repair
Human edge, growing
Industrial machinery mechanics
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.
Among the most resilient careers: more resilient than 94% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is low (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it moderate), and US jobs are projected to change by +17.8% by 2035, much faster than average. The work leans on physical dexterity.
AI struggles with much of this work, and US employers are expected to hire more people into it than average.
- Median pay (2025)
- $64,520
- Job growth to 2035
- +17.8%
- Openings a year
- 44,400
- People doing it (2025)
- 447,000
- Usual route in
- High school diploma, then long on-the-job training
Where people already use AI for this work
- Test performance of equipment or systems
- Adjust equipment to ensure adequate performance
- Analyze performance of systems or equipment
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Maintain tools or equipment
- Maintain operational records
- Repair tools or equipment
What the work looks like
- 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.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects
- More of these jobs, as automation in manufacturing will increase demand for these workers.
- More of these jobs, as manufacturing automation increases requiring more maintenance and repair.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plasticHuman edge, growing, Index 96, +5.8%
- Farm equipment mechanics and service techniciansHuman edge, growing, Index 98, +10.7%
- Motorboat mechanics and service techniciansHuman edge, growing, Index 97, +4.9%
- Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except enginesHuman edge, growing, Index 99, +6.7%
Also known as: Industrial Machinery Mechanic, Maintenance Technician, Mechanic, Overhauler, Industrial Mechanic, Loom Fixer, Loom Technician, Machine Adjuster.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.