Take the First Step Toward Your Mechanic Career Now!
Technology has brought with it some highly sophisticated and complicated equipment. Unfortunately, this advanced technology is not infallible, and working parts stop working for a multitude of reasons. The components that make up these machines need highly skilled people to get them up and running again.
Industrial mechanics, aka manufacturing mechanics, are those who are skilled in repairing, installing, and maintaining those machines used in the manufacturing process.
When you’re an industrial mechanic, you’ll work in factories, power plants, or construction sites. You may have to work on weekends, and you’ll get plenty of overtime. But mostly, you’ll be working a 40 hour week.
You can expect duties such as:
Types of machines you’ll work on are robotic arms, assembly line conveyor belts, and hydraulic lifts. Most employers look for someone who can work without a lot of hand-holding.
Employers prefer their candidates to have at least a high school diploma and some postsecondary education. You should have taken some classes in electronics, blueprint reading and drawing, mechanical drawing, math, and computer programming.
To become an industrial mechanic, you’ll need to:
The average annual wage for industrial mechanics is $60,990 in 2022 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Depending on your experience, where your work, and what state you are employed in, your pay could look different. The top 10 percent of industrial mechanics in 2022 earned $82,810.
Manufacturing, construction, and wholesale trades are the top-paying industries for your chosen career.
Employment is expected to grow 14 percent through 2031, which is much faster than average compared with all other professions. About 69,700 new positions will open through 2031, and you’ll be extremely employable if you are able to work on a wide variety of machines and have many relevant skills.