Maintenance workers, machinery salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $42,000 | $20.19 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $60,850 | $29.25 |
| Mean (average) | $64,610 | $31.06 |
| 90th percentile | $88,550 | $42.57 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Maintenance workers, machinery pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 47 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $60,560 | $46,680 | $77,510 | 420 | 0.51 |
| Alaska | $61,290 | $49,720 | $103,760 | 40 | 0.32 |
| Arizona | $56,130 | $43,710 | $80,940 | 440 | 0.35 |
| Arkansas | $53,250 | $41,410 | $73,750 | 770 | 1.53 |
| California | $67,840 | $46,000 | $93,440 | 4,130 | 0.59 |
| Colorado | $64,010 | $47,880 | $85,980 | 740 | 0.67 |
| Connecticut | $63,250 | $43,610 | $99,500 | 410 | 0.63 |
| District of Columbia | $62,520 | $47,270 | $62,550 | 80 | 0.29 |
| Florida | $51,900 | $40,370 | $83,670 | 2,830 | 0.74 |
| Georgia | $57,730 | $38,950 | $81,990 | 2,900 | 1.54 |
| Idaho | $56,250 | $43,190 | $84,370 | 170 | 0.51 |
| Illinois | $59,300 | $43,190 | $92,060 | 560 | 0.24 |
| Indiana | $48,760 | $44,230 | $72,550 | 1,780 | 1.44 |
| Iowa | $64,760 | $49,640 | $79,340 | 900 | 1.49 |
| Kansas | $60,160 | $45,040 | $78,500 | 1,040 | 1.88 |
| Kentucky | $76,710 | $48,980 | $162,460 | 2,920 | 3.78 |
| Louisiana | $62,640 | $40,930 | $92,510 | 1,410 | 1.89 |
| Maine | $52,300 | $45,930 | $70,200 | 490 | 1.98 |
| Maryland | $59,570 | $40,020 | $77,730 | 1,870 | 1.76 |
| Massachusetts | $55,000 | $41,400 | $77,930 | 320 | 0.23 |
| Michigan | $59,590 | $41,400 | $78,890 | 1,640 | 0.96 |
| Minnesota | $63,020 | $44,000 | $82,030 | 730 | 0.64 |
| Mississippi | $54,380 | $36,120 | $72,820 | 450 | 1 |
| Missouri | $63,720 | $48,070 | $84,430 | 2,180 | 1.92 |
| Nebraska | $61,190 | $44,140 | $77,320 | 650 | 1.64 |
| Nevada | $75,500 | $45,350 | $92,950 | 750 | 1.25 |
| New Hampshire | $77,070 | $45,870 | $83,890 | 130 | 0.48 |
| New Jersey | $57,920 | $38,800 | $72,480 | 310 | 0.19 |
| New Mexico | $36,240 | $36,240 | $73,580 | ||
| New York | $67,610 | $47,880 | $104,360 | 2,760 | 0.74 |
| North Carolina | $60,580 | $42,540 | $78,230 | 4,750 | 2.49 |
| Ohio | $59,280 | $38,330 | $85,400 | 2,330 | 1.09 |
| Oklahoma | $58,970 | $38,740 | $76,530 | 1,530 | 2.32 |
| Oregon | $57,440 | $43,210 | $88,920 | 430 | 0.57 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,080 | $45,740 | $98,840 | 1,260 | 0.54 |
| Puerto Rico | $37,870 | $23,980 | $61,350 | 360 | 1 |
| Rhode Island | $72,040 | $45,470 | $83,780 | 110 | 0.57 |
| South Carolina | $64,910 | $46,760 | $79,060 | 960 | 1.08 |
| South Dakota | $45,240 | $32,460 | $60,530 | 50 | 0.29 |
| Tennessee | $64,790 | $43,510 | $83,480 | 800 | 0.63 |
| Texas | $59,280 | $38,440 | $90,650 | 8,800 | 1.62 |
| Utah | $60,850 | $42,580 | $79,700 | 1,180 | 1.76 |
| Virginia | $65,500 | $46,570 | $95,300 | 1,420 | 0.9 |
| Washington | $62,970 | $51,690 | $94,420 | 700 | 0.51 |
| West Virginia | $60,020 | $38,370 | $88,750 | 790 | 2.91 |
| Wisconsin | $64,310 | $46,150 | $79,740 | 420 | 0.37 |
| Wyoming | $84,620 | $60,740 | $112,010 | 280 | 2.61 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for maintenance workers, machinery
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 4,400. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 0.3%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for maintenance workers, machinery
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- 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.
Technology skills
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- SAP software (hot technology)
- Computerized maintenance management system software CMMS
- Database software
- Management information systems MIS
- Scheduling software
- Web browser software
Transferable skills for career changers: Operations Monitoring, Equipment Maintenance, Troubleshooting, Repairing, Operation and Control, Quality Control Analysis.
Common job titles: Lubricator, Machine Repairer, Maintainer, Maintenance Craftsman, Maintenance Man, Maintenance Mechanic, Maintenance Technician (Maintenance Tech), Maintenance Worker, Oiler, Overhauler.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do maintenance workers, machinery make?
The national median annual wage for maintenance workers, machinery was $60,850 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $42,000 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $88,550. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do maintenance workers, machinery need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and long-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is maintenance workers, machinery a growing career?
BLS projects employment of maintenance workers, machinery to change -1.9% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 4,400 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay maintenance workers, machinery the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Wyoming ($84,620), New Hampshire ($77,070), Kentucky ($76,710). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.