Occupation Details
Maintenance Workers, Machinery
Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.
Quick Navigation
Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$40,780.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$58,750.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$71,280.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
3,100
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
3,870
+77 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
383
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.3%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
College Helps - Some college classes or training
Experience Requirements
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education Requirements
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Equipment Maintenance
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Repairing
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Troubleshooting
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Innovation
Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Abrasive rubbing stones
- Abrasive wheels
- Adjustable widemouth pliers
- Adjustable wrenches
- Bandsaws
- Bench saws
- Brakes
- Buffing machines
- Chain falls
- Compressed air guns
- Cutoff saws
- Deburring tools
- Dial calipers
- Dial indicators
- Dollies
- Drill bit sets
- Drill presses
- Ear plugs
- Forklifts
- Grease guns
- Grinding machines
- Hacksaws
- Hammers
- Hard hats
- Hoists
- Hold down clamps
- Hones
- Industrial vacuums
- Jackhammers
- Jacks
Technology
- Computerized maintenance management system software CMMS
- Database software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
- SAP business and customer relations management software
- Scheduling software
- Spreadsheet software
- Web browser software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- requisition stock, materials, supplies or equipment
- test materials or solutions
- adhere to safety procedures
- perform safety inspections in industrial, manufacturing or repair setting
- use basic carpentry techniques
- use knowledge of metric system
- maintain repair records
- inventory stock to ensure adequate supplies
- work as a team member
- operate crane in construction, manufacturing or repair setting
- signal directions or warnings to coworkers
- mix paint, ingredients, or chemicals, according to specifications
- fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
- assist mechanic, or extractive or construction trades craft worker
- load or unload material or workpiece into machinery
- apply cleaning solvents
- cut, shape, fit, or join wood or other construction materials
- erect scaffold
- move or fit heavy objects
- clean rooms or work areas
- repair sheet metal products
- construct, erect, or repair wooden frameworks or structures
- move materials or goods between work areas
- understand service or repair manuals
- understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
- observe or listen to machinery or equipment operation to detect malfunctions
- fabricate sheet metal parts or items
- use hand or power woodworking tools
- use control or regulating devices to adjust or maintain industrial machinery
- use hand or power tools
- use measuring devices in repairing industrial or heavy equipment
- use pneumatic tools
- use precision measuring devices in mechanical repair work
- use pressure gauges
- use high voltage apparatus
- use acetylene welding/cutting torch
- operate sandblasting equipment
- operate hoist, winch, or hydraulic boom
- operate vacuum or air hose
- read specifications
- read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
- adjust or set mechanical controls or components
- test mechanical products or equipment
- maintain or repair industrial or related equipment/machinery
- repair or replace malfunctioning or worn mechanical components
- lubricate machinery, equipment, or parts
- clean equipment or machinery
- install equipment or attachments on machinery or related structures
- inspect machinery or equipment to determine adjustments or repairs needed
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Start machines and observe mechanical operation to determine efficiency and to detect problems.
- Read work orders and specifications to determine machines and equipment requiring repair or maintenance.
- Reassemble machines after the completion of repair or maintenance work.
- Inspect or test damaged machine parts, and mark defective areas or advise supervisors of repair needs.
- Dismantle machines and remove parts for repair, using hand tools, chain falls, jacks, cranes, or hoists.
- Install, replace, or change machine parts and attachments, according to production specifications.
- Collaborate with other workers to repair or move machines, machine parts, or equipment.
- Inventory and requisition machine parts, equipment, and other supplies so that stock can be maintained and replenished.
- Record production, repair, and machine maintenance information.
- Set up and operate machines, and adjust controls to regulate operations.
- Lubricate or apply adhesives or other materials to machines, machine parts, or other equipment according to specified procedures.
- Collect and discard worn machine parts and other refuse to maintain machinery and work areas.
- Clean machines and machine parts, using cleaning solvents, cloths, air guns, hoses, vacuums, or other equipment.
- Transport machine parts, tools, equipment, and other material between work areas and storage, using cranes, hoists, or dollies.
- Replace, empty, or replenish machine and equipment containers such as gas tanks or boxes.
- Replace or repair metal, wood, leather, glass, or other lining in machines, or in equipment compartments or containers.
- Remove hardened material from machines or machine parts, using abrasives, power and hand tools, jackhammers, sledgehammers, or other equipment.
- Measure, mix, prepare, and test chemical solutions used to clean or repair machinery and equipment.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Industrial machinery, installation, repair, and maintenance workers
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn More