How much does a industrial machinery mechanic make?
The median industrial machinery mechanic in the United States earns $63,760 per year, about $30.65 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all industrial machinery mechanics earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 49-9041.
Industrial machinery mechanic salary range
Pay for industrial machinery mechanics spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $45,090 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $92,730. The average (mean) wage of $67,160 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $45,090 | $21.68 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $52,710 | $25.34 | |
| Median (50th) | $63,760 | $30.65 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $78,070 | $37.53 | |
| 90th percentile | $92,730 | $44.58 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for industrial machinery mechanics (SOC 49-9041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Industrial machinery mechanic salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Industrial machinery mechanics earn the most in Alaska at $86,590 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $57,220. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $86,590 | 660 |
| District of Columbia | $85,380 | 190 |
| Hawaii | $80,180 | 760 |
| Nevada | $75,490 | 2,460 |
| Washington | $75,220 | 10,300 |
| Wyoming | $74,510 | 2,290 |
| California | $73,840 | 25,790 |
| Colorado | $73,770 | 5,850 |
| Connecticut | $73,530 | 2,980 |
| New Jersey | $73,000 | 9,110 |
| Oregon | $71,430 | 6,490 |
| Massachusetts | $70,540 | 6,290 |
| Kansas | $70,170 | 6,570 |
| Montana | $69,880 | 890 |
| Utah | $69,670 | 3,920 |
| Minnesota | $68,160 | 6,650 |
| New York | $67,010 | 12,630 |
| Illinois | $66,770 | 9,460 |
| Indiana | $65,670 | 17,700 |
| Delaware | $65,560 | 1,040 |
| Maine | $65,190 | 1,420 |
| Iowa | $65,090 | 5,860 |
| North Dakota | $65,070 | 2,760 |
| Arizona | $64,840 | 4,450 |
| Wisconsin | $64,520 | 14,500 |
| Maryland | $64,080 | 3,070 |
| Kentucky | $64,060 | 10,420 |
| Rhode Island | $63,870 | 1,020 |
| Louisiana | $63,830 | 5,900 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,830 | 18,500 |
| Ohio | $63,650 | 20,180 |
| Nebraska | $63,130 | 2,730 |
| Michigan | $63,030 | 18,850 |
| Virginia | $62,940 | 9,500 |
| Tennessee | $62,830 | 10,100 |
| Idaho | $62,570 | 1,780 |
| Oklahoma | $62,530 | 6,240 |
| Vermont | $62,520 | 710 |
| Texas | $61,590 | 57,150 |
| West Virginia | $61,400 | 3,160 |
| New Hampshire | $61,360 | 2,140 |
| Missouri | $61,270 | 4,450 |
| South Carolina | $61,260 | 9,520 |
| North Carolina | $60,860 | 15,650 |
| Alabama | $60,390 | 17,110 |
| Florida | $60,340 | 13,820 |
| Georgia | $60,100 | 13,010 |
| South Dakota | $59,690 | 1,270 |
| New Mexico | $59,420 | 2,730 |
| Arkansas | $58,410 | 6,770 |
| Mississippi | $57,220 | 5,010 |
State median wages for industrial machinery mechanics (SOC 49-9041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for industrial machinery mechanics
The BLS projects employment of industrial machinery mechanics to grow 17.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 446,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 526,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 44,400 openings a year for industrial machinery mechanics. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an industrial machinery mechanic
The typical entry-level education for industrial machinery mechanics is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an industrial machinery mechanic earns
Certifications, the type of equipment worked on, employer, and region drive most of the pay difference. Flat-rate pay and overtime can push experienced techs well above the median.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Alaska, $86,590) and the lowest (Mississippi, $57,220) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 421,940 people work as industrial machinery mechanics in the United States. At $63,760 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Industrial machinery mechanic salary FAQ
How much does an industrial machinery mechanic make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an industrial machinery mechanic is $30.65. The middle half of industrial machinery mechanics earn between $25.34 and $37.53 per hour.
What is the highest industrial machinery mechanic salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of industrial machinery mechanics earn more than $92,730 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an industrial machinery mechanic make a year?
The median annual salary for an industrial machinery mechanic is $63,760. The average (mean) wage of $67,160 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an industrial machinery mechanic a well paid job?
At $63,760 a year, an industrial machinery mechanic earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 421,940 people work as industrial machinery mechanics in the United States.
Which state pays industrial machinery mechanics the most?
Alaska has the highest median salary for industrial machinery mechanics at $86,590 a year. District of Columbia ($85,380) and Hawaii ($80,180) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being an industrial machinery mechanic a good career?
Employment of industrial machinery mechanics is projected to grow 17.8% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 44,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an industrial machinery mechanic?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for industrial machinery mechanics as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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