Maintenance Workers, Machinery

AI & job outlook

What today's research says about this occupation's exposure to AI, how AI is actually being used in it, and where employment is headed. These are positions within published studies — measures of exposure and usage, not predictions that this job will disappear.

Exposure to current AI

Each study uses its own scale, so the raw scores are not comparable across rows — the percentile (this job's rank among all U.S. occupations with data) is the comparable figure, and sizes the bars.

OpenAI's exposure study scores tasks three ways: with a language model alone (α 0.1), with simple added tooling (β 0.1), and including AI-powered software (γ 0.2). Higher means more of the job's tasks could be done at least twice as fast — not that they will be automated away.

This job mostly cannot be done remotely (Dingel–Neiman) — its hands-on tasks sit outside what software-based AI reaches.

Mixed signals. Today's AI/LLM studies show relatively low exposure for this job, but the older (2013) Frey–Osborne work rated it higher for computerization and robotics. Different eras, different technologies — the AI measures above reflect the current state.

Job outlook

Independent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projection for 2024–2034 — a labor-market forecast, not an AI-impact forecast.

“Annual openings” counts new jobs plus replacements for workers who leave the occupation, so it can be large even when growth is modest.

Where this work sits on the global GenAI gradient

The ILO's 2025 global study scores generative-AI exposure on the international ISCO-08 occupation system, not US SOC. Bridged through the published (and approximate, many-to-many) IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 crosswalk, this US occupation corresponds to the international occupation below. Exposure here means how much of the work's tasks today's AI can attempt — task overlap, not automation, adoption, or jobs lost.

Read the whole six-band gradient on the GenAI exposure gradient page. The crosswalk is approximate: a US occupation can map to several international ones, and the ILO scores describe the international occupation, not this exact US role.

Tasks

All 18 tasks O*NET lists for this occupation, ordered by importance. Each links to its own page with AI-exposure and observed-use detail.

• Dismantle machines and remove parts for repair, using hand tools, chain falls, jacks, cranes, or hoists. Core · importance 4.1
• Reassemble machines after the completion of repair or maintenance work. Core · importance 4.1
• Record production, repair, and machine maintenance information. Core · importance 4.1
• Lubricate or apply adhesives or other materials to machines, machine parts, or other equipment according to specified procedures. Core · importance 4.0
• Install, replace, or change machine parts and attachments, according to production specifications. Core · importance 4.0
• Set up and operate machines, and adjust controls to regulate operations. Core · importance 4.0
• Collaborate with other workers to repair or move machines, machine parts, or equipment. Core · importance 4.0
• Read work orders and specifications to determine machines and equipment requiring repair or maintenance. Core · importance 4.0
• Inspect or test damaged machine parts, and mark defective areas or advise supervisors of repair needs. Core · importance 4.0
• Start machines and observe mechanical operation to determine efficiency and to detect problems. Core · importance 3.9
• Transport machine parts, tools, equipment, and other material between work areas and storage, using cranes, hoists, or dollies. Core · importance 3.8
• Collect and discard worn machine parts and other refuse to maintain machinery and work areas. Core · importance 3.8
• Inventory and requisition machine parts, equipment, and other supplies so that stock can be maintained and replenished. Core · importance 3.8
• Remove hardened material from machines or machine parts, using abrasives, power and hand tools, jackhammers, sledgehammers, or other equipment. Core · importance 3.8
• Replace, empty, or replenish machine and equipment containers such as gas tanks or boxes. Core · importance 3.6
• Clean machines and machine parts, using cleaning solvents, cloths, air guns, hoses, vacuums, or other equipment. Core · importance 3.6
• Replace or repair metal, wood, leather, glass, or other lining in machines, or in equipment compartments or containers. Core · importance 3.5
• Measure, mix, prepare, and test chemical solutions used to clean or repair machinery and equipment. Supplemental · importance 3.4

Emerging tasks

Newer responsibilities O*NET has flagged as growing for this occupation.

• Troubleshoot electrical, hydraulic, or mechanical equipment and machines.

Work activities

• Reassemble equipment after repair.
• Observe equipment in operation to detect potential problems.
• Inspect mechanical equipment to locate damage, defects, or wear.
• Test mechanical equipment to ensure proper functioning.
• Communicate with coworkers to coordinate installations or repairs.
• Lubricate equipment to allow proper functioning.
• Install machine or equipment replacement parts.
• Disassemble equipment for maintenance or repair.
• Maintain repair or maintenance records.
• Read work orders or descriptions of problems to determine repairs or modifications needed.
• Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
• Confer with coworkers to resolve equipment problems.
• Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
• Order materials, supplies, or equipment.
• Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
• Clean work areas.
• Clean equipment, parts, or tools to repair or maintain them in good working order.
• Replace worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
• Repair worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
• Test fluids to identify contamination or other problems.
• Prepare compounds or solutions to be used for repairs.
• Position containers to receive materials or workpieces.

Knowledge, skills & abilities

O*NET importance rating, from 1 (not important) to 5 (extremely important).

Knowledge

Abilities

Transferable skills

Essential skills

Skills in demand

Skills employers ask for in job postings for this occupation (Lightcast), with whether each is a common or specialized skill.

• Equipment Maintenance Specialized Skill
• Visualization Specialized Skill
• English Language Common Skill
• Time Management Common Skill
• Reading Comprehension Common Skill
• Microsoft Word Common Skill
• Microsoft PowerPoint Common Skill
• Microsoft Outlook Common Skill
• Microsoft Excel Common Skill
• Information Ordering Specialized Skill
• Inductive Reasoning Common Skill
• Finger Dexterity Common Skill
• Deductive Reasoning Common Skill
• Critical Thinking Common Skill
• Active Listening Common Skill
• Speech Recognition Specialized Skill
• Installation Specialized Skill
• Complex Problem Solving Common Skill
• Mathematics Common Skill
• Equipment Selection Specialized Skill
• Depth Perception Common Skill
• Active Learning Common Skill
• Social Perceptiveness Common Skill
• Writing Common Skill
• Chemistry Specialized Skill
• Instructing Specialized Skill
• Physics Specialized Skill
• Systems Analysis Specialized Skill
• Negotiation Common Skill
• Learning Strategies Specialized Skill
• Database Software Specialized Skill
• Psychology Specialized Skill
• Telecommunications Specialized Skill
• Geography Specialized Skill
• Biology Specialized Skill
• Foreign Language Common Skill
• Presentation Software Specialized Skill

Tools & technology

Work context

How characteristic each condition is of the job, on O*NET's 1–5 context scale (higher = more present in day-to-day work). Each condition links to how it varies across all occupations.

How to get in

Job zone

Zone 3 — Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Typical entry-level education

High school diploma or equivalent · BLS, the typical path — not a requirement

Related experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Preparation level

SVP (6.0 to < 7.0) — total schooling plus on-the-job experience.

What to study: Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians . Fields of study crosswalked to this occupation (NCES CIP–SOC), not a requirement.

Education of current workers

Share of people in this occupation at each level of education.

Interests & work styles

The interests and personal qualities O*NET associates with people who do this work.

Career interests (Holland / RIASEC)

Interest areas

Work styles

Wages & employment

U.S. · annual wages (BLS OEWS)

Industries that employ this occupation

Where these workers are employed, by number of jobs (national, BLS OEWS). Pay shown is the occupation's national median, not industry-specific.

Where this work is most concentrated

Industries where this occupation is far more common than in the economy as a whole. The location quotient is how many times more concentrated it is here (a value of 5 means five times its economy-wide share).

Related occupations

Part of the Construction career cluster.

• Industrial Machinery Mechanics · 49-9041.00 Compare →
• Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic · 51-4033.00 Compare →
• Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers · 49-2092.00 Compare →
• Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic · 51-4081.00 Compare →
• Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines · 49-3042.00 Compare →
• Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners · 51-4194.00 Compare →
• Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing · 51-7042.00 Compare →
• Rail Car Repairers · 49-3043.00 Compare →
• Machine Feeders and Offbearers · 53-7063.00 Compare →
• Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door · 49-9012.00 Compare →
• Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand · 51-9022.00 Compare →
• Engine and Other Machine Assemblers · 51-2031.00 Compare →

Side-by-side comparisons place two occupations’ pay, preparation, skills, and AI exposure on the same page — same data, same scale, no forecast.

What you can do with this

Options the data surfaces for Maintenance Workers, Machinery — not advice or a forecast. Each is a real cross-link you can follow into the evidence.

Sources for this page

Every figure above traces to a named public dataset and the exact release below — not hand-written opinion. See the full methodology for what each measure does and does not mean.

• O*NET 30.3 U.S. Department of Labor / National Center for O*NET Development
• BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai Microsoft Research
• “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130 OpenAI / academic
• AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans academic
• ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025 International Labour Organization
• IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022 Institute for Structural Research (IBS)
• Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation academic
• Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome academic

Data compiled June 2, 2026. Figures are estimates, not advice.

@misc{singulariki-role-49-9043-00,
  title  = {Maintenance Workers, Machinery},
  author = {{Singulariki}},
  year   = {2026},
  note   = {O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130; AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans; ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025; IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022; Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation; Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome. Accessed June 7, 2026},
  url    = {https://singulariki.com/roles/role-49-9043-00}
}