Takeover Tracker
24%low risk

Industrial Machinery Mechanics

Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems.

Higher risk than 16% of occupations
Checking for existing plan...

How AI Impacts Each Task

16 tasks analyzed

Repair or maintain the operating condition of industrial production or processing machinery or equipment.

Risk: 13.0%AI: 10EstimatedTime: 14%

Repair or replace broken or malfunctioning components of machinery or equipment.

Risk: 13.0%AI: 10EstimatedTime: 14%

Disassemble machinery or equipment to remove parts and make repairs.

Risk: 13.0%AI: 10EstimatedTime: 10%

Observe and test the operation of machinery or equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using voltmeters or other testing devices.

Risk: 47.0%AI: 50EstimatedTime: 8%

Reassemble equipment after completion of inspections, testing, or repairs.

Risk: 13.0%AI: 10EstimatedTime: 10%

Clean, lubricate, or adjust parts, equipment, or machinery.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 8%

Examine parts for defects, such as breakage or excessive wear.

Risk: 55.0%AI: 70EstimatedTime: 5%

Operate newly repaired machinery or equipment to verify the adequacy of repairs.

Risk: 13.0%AI: 10EstimatedTime: 5%

Analyze test results, machine error messages, or information obtained from operators to diagnose equipment problems.

Risk: 53.0%AI: 65ObservedTime: 6%

Record parts or materials used and order or requisition new parts or materials as necessary.

Risk: 87.2%AI: 95EstimatedTime: 4%

Record repairs and maintenance performed.

Risk: 86.0%AI: 92EstimatedTime: 4%

Study blueprints or manufacturers' manuals to determine correct installation or operation of machinery.

Risk: 57.0%AI: 75EstimatedTime: 3%

Cut and weld metal to repair broken metal parts, fabricate new parts, or assemble new equipment.

Risk: 13.0%AI: 10EstimatedTime: 3%

Enter codes and instructions to program computer-controlled machinery.

Risk: 74.6%AI: 63.5ObservedTime: 2%

Demonstrate equipment functions and features to machine operators.

Risk: 27.0%AI: 30EstimatedTime: 2%

Assign work schedules to work crews.

Risk: 85.2%AI: 90EstimatedTime: 2%

Skill Impact Analysis

AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)

Information Ordering5%

High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Mathematics10%

High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Reading Comprehension10%

Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Memorization5%

Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Mathematics10%

Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Programming15%

Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

AI-Resistant Skills (11)

Equipment Maintenance78%

Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Manual Dexterity80%

Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Adaptability/Flexibility85%

Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Leadership88%

Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Complex Problem Solving75%

Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Coordination70%

Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Instructing75%

Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Social Perceptiveness90%

Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Recommended Courses

Courses matched to Industrial Machinery Mechanics skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.

Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.

Upskill to Reduce Risk

Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills

DataCampbeginner

SQL Fundamentals Skill Track

by DataCamp

21 hours$25/mo4.7Certificate
Addresses vulnerability: Information Ordering

Estimated Impact

-7.1pt risk+$3K/yr salary

AI-Augmentation Tools

Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity

Courserabeginner

Google UX Design Professional Certificate

by Google

~5 months$49/mo4.8Certificate
Enhances AI augmentation: Critical Thinking

Estimated Impact

-5pt risk+$3K/yr salary

Strengthen Your Edge

Double down on skills AI can't replicate

Courseraintermediate

Leading People and Teams Specialization

by University of Michigan

~6 weeks$49/mo4.7Certificate
Strengthens resilience: Leadership

Estimated Impact

-3.8pt risk+$4K/yr salary

We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.

Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.

Alternate Career Paths

See all transitions

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Maintenance and Repair Workers, General

24%
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Median salary: $48,620

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Higher risk than 37% of other occupations

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Higher risk than 1% of other occupations

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21%
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Median salary: $63,980

Higher risk than 9% of other occupations

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Higher risk than 20% of other occupations

Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators

42%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $75,190

Higher risk than 85% of other occupations

Score History

Risk score over 2 scoring runs

+0.4

overall change

Education & Training

Percentage of workers at each education and training level

Education Level

Less than High School7%
High School Diploma25%
Some College48%
Post-Secondary Certificate1%
Associate's Degree7%
Bachelor's Degree8%
Doctoral/Professional Degree3%

Prior Experience Needed

Work experience required to enter this job

6 months - 1 year10%
1-2 years27%
2-4 years27%
4-6 years34%
6-8 years1%
8-10 years1%

Training Provided After Hiring

How long it typically takes to learn on the job

Up to 1 month1%
1-3 months5%
3-6 months22%
6 months - 1 year30%
1-2 years25%
2-4 years16%
4-6 years1%

Related News

Recent articles about AI affecting this occupation

2 articles

Tech Colleges Train Workers to Maintain the Robots Taking Manual Jobs

Trident Technical College is training students in mechatronics engineering to bridge the gap between mechanical systems and new automation tech. The program highlights a growing demand for workers who can maintain and repair advanced robotic systems.

Inside Higher Edyesterday

AI-driven diagnostics to reshape heavy equipment maintenance jobs by 2035

A new market analysis projects massive growth in the crane aftermarket, fueled by smart diagnostics. Mechanics and technicians will need to upskill as predictive AI shifts the focus from manual repairs to software-driven maintenance.

NewsData AI & Jobs3d ago

Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis