Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems.
AI Impact Summary
Industrial Machinery Mechanics faces low AI displacement risk with a score of 24/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 16% of all analyzed occupations. Of 16 analyzed tasks, 4 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
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 Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
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
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Google UX Design Professional Certificate
by Google
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
Estimated Impact
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.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
16 tasks analyzed
Repair or maintain the operating condition of industrial production or processing machinery or equipment.
Repair or replace broken or malfunctioning components of machinery or equipment.
Disassemble machinery or equipment to remove parts and make repairs.
Observe and test the operation of machinery or equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using voltmeters or other testing devices.
Reassemble equipment after completion of inspections, testing, or repairs.
Clean, lubricate, or adjust parts, equipment, or machinery.
Examine parts for defects, such as breakage or excessive wear.
Operate newly repaired machinery or equipment to verify the adequacy of repairs.
Analyze test results, machine error messages, or information obtained from operators to diagnose equipment problems.
Record parts or materials used and order or requisition new parts or materials as necessary.
Record repairs and maintenance performed.
Study blueprints or manufacturers' manuals to determine correct installation or operation of machinery.
Cut and weld metal to repair broken metal parts, fabricate new parts, or assemble new equipment.
Enter codes and instructions to program computer-controlled machinery.
Demonstrate equipment functions and features to machine operators.
Assign work schedules to work crews.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Repair or maintain the operating condition of industrial production or processing machinery or equipment. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 14% | |
| Repair or replace broken or malfunctioning components of machinery or equipment. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 14% | |
| Disassemble machinery or equipment to remove parts and make repairs. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 10% | |
| Observe and test the operation of machinery or equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using voltmeters or other testing devices. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 8% | |
| Reassemble equipment after completion of inspections, testing, or repairs. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 10% | |
| Clean, lubricate, or adjust parts, equipment, or machinery. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 8% | |
| Examine parts for defects, such as breakage or excessive wear. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 5% | |
| Operate newly repaired machinery or equipment to verify the adequacy of repairs. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 5% | |
| Analyze test results, machine error messages, or information obtained from operators to diagnose equipment problems. | 65Observed | 53.0% | 6% | |
| Record parts or materials used and order or requisition new parts or materials as necessary. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 4% | |
| Record repairs and maintenance performed. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 4% | |
| Study blueprints or manufacturers' manuals to determine correct installation or operation of machinery. | 75Estimated | 57.0% | 3% | |
| Cut and weld metal to repair broken metal parts, fabricate new parts, or assemble new equipment. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 3% | |
| Enter codes and instructions to program computer-controlled machinery. | 63.5Observed | 74.6% | 2% | |
| Demonstrate equipment functions and features to machine operators. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 2% | |
| Assign work schedules to work crews. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 27.3%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$63,760
per year
Mean Wage
$67,160
per year
Employment
422K
workers
Wage Range
$45,090 - $92,730
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.
Alternate Career Paths
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Higher risk than 1% of other occupations
Automotive Master Mechanics
20%Median salary: $49,670
Higher risk than 6% of other occupations
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
20%Median salary: $53,990
Higher risk than 7% of other occupations
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
21%Median salary: $63,980
Higher risk than 9% of other occupations
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
24%Median salary: $48,620
Higher risk than 16% of other occupations
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
27%Median salary: $71,300
Higher risk than 24% of other occupations
Maintenance Workers, Machinery
30%Median salary: $60,500
Higher risk than 37% of other occupations
Machinists
37%Median salary: $56,150
Higher risk than 71% of other occupations
Manufacturing Production Technicians
40%Median salary: $77,390
Higher risk than 82% of other occupations
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
42%Median salary: $75,190
Higher risk than 85% of other occupations
Sales Managers
25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Chief Executives
26%Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Marketing Managers
30%Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Advertising and Promotions Managers
31%Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Computer and Information Systems Managers
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Industrial Machinery Mechanics professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Equipment Maintenance
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change