by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology explores Industrial Mechanics And Maintenance Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills To Repair And Maintain Industrial Machinery And Equipment Such As Cranes, Pumps, Engines And Motors, Pneumatic Tools, Conveyor Systems, Production Machinery, Marine Deck Machinery, And Steam Propulsion, Refinery, And Pipeline-Distribution Systems. Examples: [Industrial Plant Technician], [Industrial Equipment Technology], [Industrial Mechanic], [Millwright]. Continue reading for the key facts every industrial mechanics & maintenance technology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering industrial mechanics & maintenance technology programs.
In the U.S., industrial mechanics & maintenance technology is a widely-pursued major, with 8,063 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 266 schools to determine the best overall colleges for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of industrial mechanics & maintenance technology programs later in this article.
Programs in Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a industrial mechanics & maintenance technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a industrial mechanics & maintenance technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several industrial mechanics & maintenance technology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 2,224 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,279 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 4,418 |
People currently working in careers related to industrial mechanics & maintenance technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 48.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 38.4% |
| Some college courses | 6.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 0.4% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in industrial mechanics & maintenance technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying industrial mechanics & maintenance technology can lead to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to industrial mechanics & maintenance technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to industrial mechanics & maintenance technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons | 628,417 | 12.0% |
| Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door | 577,707 | 5.5% |
| Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers | 534,900 | -2.0% |
| Wind Turbine Service Technicians | 488,197 | 14.9% |
| Maintenance Workers, Machinery | 434,170 | 6.1% |
| Millwrights | 139,345 | 9.2% |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | 80,559 | 7.8% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $49,887 |
| 4 years | $52,783 |
| 5 years | $60,412 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for industrial mechanics & maintenance technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers industrial mechanics & maintenance technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Turbine Service Technicians | $74,051 |
| Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door | $69,523 |
| Millwrights | $69,067 |
| Maintenance Workers, Machinery | $68,487 |
| Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons | $54,995 |
| Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers | $36,138 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | $31,702 |
With 266 different industrial mechanics & maintenance technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased industrial mechanics & maintenance technology school rankings to help you.
Those considering industrial mechanics & maintenance technology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technology/Technician | 814 |
| Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians, Other | 48 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
