How much does a maintenance mechanic make?
Answer: A typical maintenance mechanic in the United States makes $60,850 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 60,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Maintenance mechanic pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $42,000 | $60,850 | $88,550 | about 60,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $76,710 | about 3,000 |
| Nevada | $75,500 | about 750 |
| California | $67,840 | about 4,000 |
| New York | $67,610 | about 3,000 |
| Virginia | $65,500 | about 1,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., experience and useful training or credentials can help a maintenance mechanic earn more. Pay also differs by employer, industry, location, task difficulty, and whether the job involves overtime or night and weekend shifts.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a maintenance mechanic do?
Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance. Excludes “Maintenance and Repair Workers, General” (49-9071).
What's a typical day like?
A maintenance mechanic checks work orders, inspects a machine, then cleans, oils, tests it, or replaces worn parts. They record the work and handle small repairs, while major breakdowns go to an industrial machinery mechanic.
How to get this job
In the U.S., finish high school or its equivalent; some hazardous machinery work is restricted to people 18 and older. Then learn on the job beside experienced workers, often for a few months to a year; vocational training can help you prepare.
Vocational school or a few years' experience (preparation level 3 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
Some maintenance mechanics take machines apart using chain hoists, jacks, or cranes to reach parts that need repair.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/industrial-machinery-mechani
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/49-9043.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/43-child-labor-non-agriculture
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY