Industrial Machinery Mechanics
SOC 49-9041 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Industrial Machinery Mechanics is $61,420, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $63,690, and an estimated 412,650 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +10.7% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -6% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will grow 16.1% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Industrial Machinery Mechanics has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $61,420 | $61,420 | 412,650 |
| 2022 | $59,830 | $62,293 | 386,120 |
| 2021 | $59,840 | $67,289 | 373,090 |
| 2020 | $55,490 | $65,329 | 385,980 |
Nominal change
+10.7%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-6%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+16.1%
Much faster than average
Employment 2024
439,600
Projected 2034
510,300
Annual Openings
45,700
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Industrial Machinery Mechanics earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $61,420. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area | $97,470 | +58.7% | 290 |
| District of Columbia | $88,370 | +43.9% | 130 |
| Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | $85,860 | +39.8% | 720 |
| Northwest Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | $85,220 | +38.7% | 130 |
| Alaska | $84,510 | +37.6% | 620 |
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $84,510 | +37.6% | 360 |
| Northeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $79,500 | +29.4% | 150 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $78,200 | +27.3% | 80 |
| Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $78,080 | +27.1% | 170 |
| Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $77,800 | +26.7% | 210 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$42,390
25th Pct
$49,780
Median
$61,420
75th Pct
$75,030
90th Pct
$85,970
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ananta USA | CA | 1 | $65,000 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
Related Occupations in Installation, Maintenance & Repair
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.