In short
Most industrial maintenance technicians have a high school diploma and get a year or more of on-the-job training, and many take a one-year or two-year program in industrial maintenance first. The work mixes mechanical repair, electrical troubleshooting, hydraulics and controls. Industrial machinery mechanics earned a median $64,520 in May 2025, per BLS, with about 44,400 openings a year.
| Middle pay | $64,520 a year, roughly $31.02 an hour (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| How most people start | High school or GED to start, then long-term on-the-job training |
| People in the trade | About 446,900 nationwide (2025) |
| Growth to 2035 | BLS expects 17.8% growth |
| Openings a year | Around 44,400, counting retirements |
From the BLS Employment Projections table (2025 to 2035) and May 2025 wage survey. These are U.S. numbers. Local shops may pay above or below them, and apprentices start well under the middle figure.
Skills
- Mechanical repair: bearings, gearboxes, conveyors
- Electrical troubleshooting and motor controls
- Hydraulics and pneumatics
- Reading schematics and manuals
- Basic welding and fabrication
Many plants use a mechanical aptitude test when hiring.
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Straight answers
Do industrial maintenance techs need a degree?
No. A high school diploma plus training is typical. A short program helps.
Is industrial maintenance a good career?
It pays solidly and is needed in almost every plant, so jobs exist in many areas.
What is the difference between maintenance tech and millwright?
Maintenance techs keep machines running; millwrights install, move and align them. The roles overlap.