Industrial Mechanic
When the machines stop, you get called.
Median Salary
$61,420
Apprenticeship
4–5 years
Union Presence
Moderate
Physical Demand
Moderate
Job Demand
Moderate
Industrial mechanics (millwrights) install, maintain, and repair industrial machinery and mechanical equipment in factories, power plants, and manufacturing facilities. Downtime in industrial settings is extremely costly — making millwrights among the most valued tradespeople in manufacturing.
What Industrial Mechanics Earn
National data — Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS
25th Percentile
$46,270
Entry level
Median
$61,420
Mid-career
75th Percentile
$75,120
Experienced
90th Percentile
$90,000
Top earners
Salary by State
Teal bars = above national median · Blue bars = below national median · Source: BLS OEWS
Career Path
From day one to running your own operation
Millwright Apprentice / Industrial Mechanic Trainee
$38,000–$52,000Years 0–4
Learn through a union apprenticeship (United Brotherhood of Carpenters covers millwrights) or on-the-job training at a manufacturing facility. Core skills: precision alignment, rigging, welding, hydraulics.
Journeyperson Millwright
$55,000–$78,000Years 4–10
Work in manufacturing plants, power generation facilities, or process industries. Millwrights who can troubleshoot PLC controls and automated systems command significantly higher wages.
Lead Millwright / Maintenance Supervisor
$72,000–$95,000Years 8–15
Lead maintenance crews at large manufacturing facilities. Develop preventive maintenance programs and manage shutdowns and turnarounds.
Maintenance Manager / Reliability Engineer
$90,000–$130,000+Years 12+
Move into management of plant maintenance operations or reliability engineering. Industrial maintenance managers at large plants earn $90,000–$130,000+.
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- ✓Stable industrial employment — manufacturing always needs skilled maintenance
- ✓Intellectual challenge — troubleshooting complex machinery requires real problem-solving
- ✓Less seasonal than construction trades
- ✓PLC/automation skills dramatically increase earning potential
- ✓Clear path from floor mechanic to maintenance manager
Challenges
- ✕On-call for breakdowns is common — manufacturing doesn't stop on weekends
- ✕Industrial environments can be noisy, dusty, and physically demanding
- ✕Some facilities require working rotating shifts (day/night)
- ✕Wages cap lower than some licensed trades at the journeyperson level
How to Get Started
Step-by-step path into the industrial mechanic trade
- 1
Apply to a UBC millwright local (carpenters.org) — the United Brotherhood of Carpenters covers millwright apprenticeships with structured training and union wages.
Browse millwright apprenticeships → - 2
Many manufacturing plants hire maintenance trainees directly and train on the job — often a faster path to full wages than the union track.
Find hiring manufacturers → - 3
A community college industrial maintenance or mechatronics program is strong preparation and can lead directly to a maintenance tech job.
Find industrial programs → - 4
Core skills to build first: hydraulics, pneumatics, and basic electrical. These are the foundation of every millwright role.
- 5
PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) skills are increasingly valued in automated facilities and can push your wage ceiling significantly higher.
Get the Free Industrial Mechanic Salary Guide
Median wages for industrial mechanics across all 50 states, pulled directly from BLS data. Free, no strings.