Compare trade-school and apprenticeship routes. Check each program’s training length, pay, tuition, fees, and local licensing requirements.
About this Career
Install, maintain, and repair factory equipment, production machinery, and automated systems. High demand in manufacturing, food processing, and pharmaceutical plants.
Pay
$48,000
Lower reported wage
$61,170
Median
$88,000
Upper reported wage
Annual U.S. salaries. Actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience. The lower and upper figures do not represent starting and senior salaries.
AI-generated image · Illustrative scene
Make this your goal
Get matched with trade schools, apprenticeships, and certifications.
Search CareerOneStop by occupation and state, then confirm the rules with the issuing agency. Coverage is incomplete; an empty result does not mean no license is required.
U.S. career guide. Program, employer, and state requirements can differ.
About this data
Mapped to Maintenance Workers, Machinery (49-9043) — median $61,170 (May 2024). The closest BLS-tracked equivalent for industrial-plant maintenance technicians (PMs on rotating equipment, motors, hydraulics).
SOC 49-9043BLS EP 2025-35Verified 2026-05-02View on BLS
Illustration: AI-generated image · Illustrative scene
Ask whether any internship, field placement, or supervised training in your chosen route is paid; arrangements vary.[1]
Costs to check before enrolling
Compare tuition after aid, required supplies and exams, travel, and any unpaid training time for the route you choose.
Planning questions: request a written estimate from each program or sponsor. A total cost has not been verified here.
Majors and routes to explore
A related major can be preparation; it does not by itself qualify you for the career.
