Automotive Advanced Manfacturing, Industrial Systems & Automation

Program Information

Industrial machinery mechanics keep machines in working order by detecting and correcting errors before the machine or the products it produces are damaged. Many of these machines are increasingly run by computers. Industrial machinery mechanics use technical manuals, their understanding of industrial equipment, and observation to determine the cause of a problem. For example, after detecting a vibration from a machine, they must decide whether it is the result of worn belts, weak motor bearings, or some other problem. They may use computerized diagnostic systems and vibration analysis techniques to help figure out the source of problems. Examples of machines they may work with are robotic welding arms, automobile assembly line conveyor belts, and hydraulic lifts. After diagnosing a problem, the industrial machinery mechanic may take the equipment apart to repair or replace the necessary parts. Once a repair is made, mechanics test a machine to ensure it is operating correctly.

Occupational Choices

Overall employment of industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights is projected to grow 13 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. Employment growth will vary by occupation.  The increased adoption of sophisticated manufacturing machinery will require more mechanics and millwrights to keep machines in good working order. Increased automation, including using many computer-controlled machines in factories and manufacturing plants, should raise the demand for machinery maintenance workers to keep the machines functioning properly. The increased use of machinery in manufacturing will require millwrights to install and disassemble this equipment and perform some repair work on it. Job prospects will be good, particularly for applicants with a broad range of skills in machine repair as older workers retire or otherwise leave the occupation.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Industrial Machinery Mechanics, Machinery Maintenance Workers, and Millwrights, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/industrial-machinery-mechanics-and-maintenance-workers-and-millwrights.htm (visited January 30, 2024).

Average Full-Time Wage

The median annual wage for industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights was $59,470 in May 2022. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,440, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $82,070.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Industrial Machinery Mechanics, Machinery Maintenance Workers, and Millwrights, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/industrial-machinery-mechanics-and-maintenance-workers-and-millwrights.htm (visited January 30, 2024).

Awards Available

Associate of Applied Science
Automotive/Advanced Manufacturing
Industrial Systems & Automation

Mechanical FAME
Mechanical Non-FAME
Instrumentation

Certificate
Automotive/Advanced Manufacturing
Industrial Systems & Automation

Mechanical
Instrumentation

Short Term Certificate
Automotive/Advanced Manufacturing
Industrial Systems & Automation

Mechanical Technician
Instrumentation Technician

Program Contact

Location:  Patterson Site - Bldg. Q

The College regularly evaluates student learning outcomes for each program as part of ongoing planning and evaluation.

Estimated Program Length & Cost *

* Tax not included.  Prices are subject to change without prior notice; the cost of books may vary considerably among suppliers.  The cost of general education books is in addition to the total listed above.  The length of the program is based on full-time status of 12-15 credit hours per term.  Enrollment in transitional-level general education courses will alter the length of the program.