Maintenance Workers, Machinery
Maintenance Workers, Machinery (SOC 49-9043) earn a median $60,850 a year ($29.25 an hour) in the United States, with 60,020 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Wyoming.
What maintenance workers, machinery do
Machinery maintenance workers lubricate machinery, change parts and perform other routine machinery maintenance. They dismantle machines and remove parts for repair with hand tools, chain falls, jacks, cranes or hoists, install, swap or change machine parts and attachments to match production specifications, and reassemble machines when the repair or maintenance work is done. They lubricate machines, machine parts or other equipment, or apply adhesives or other materials to them, according to specified procedures. They also set up and operate machines and adjust controls to regulate operations, collaborate with other workers to repair or move machines, parts or equipment, and read work orders and specifications to determine which machines need repair or maintenance. Production, repair and machine maintenance information is recorded. The titles attached to the occupation range from aircraft fueler and airport refueling handler to belt changer and air deodorizer servicer. General maintenance and repair workers (49-9071) are excluded.
Typical entry: According to O*NET, the most common level is a postsecondary certificate earned through a training program after high school.
Also called: Air Deodorizer Servicer, Aircraft Fueler, Airplane Fueler, Airplane Refueler, Airport Refueling Handler.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $20.19 | $23.52 | $29.25 | $36.16 | $42.57 | $31.06 | 60,020 |
| Annual | $42,000 | $48,920 | $60,850 | $75,200 | $88,550 | $64,610 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where maintenance workers, machinery earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Wyoming | Hourly | $29.20 | $39.29 | $40.68 | $53.37 | $53.85 | $42.57 | 280 | 1.01 | 2.61 |
| Annual | $60,740 | $81,720 | $84,620 | $111,020 | $112,010 | $88,540 | ||||
| New Hampshire | Hourly | $22.05 | $28.57 | $37.05 | $40.33 | $40.33 | $33.88 | 130 | 0.19 | 0.48 |
| Annual | $45,870 | $59,420 | $77,070 | $83,890 | $83,890 | $70,470 | ||||
| Kentucky | Hourly | $23.55 | $28.96 | $36.88 | $75.61 | $78.11 | $46.37 | 2,920 | 1.46 | 3.78 |
| Annual | $48,980 | $60,230 | $76,710 | $157,260 | $162,460 | $96,450 | ||||
| Nevada | Hourly | $21.81 | $25.62 | $36.30 | $44.10 | $44.69 | $34.68 | 750 | 0.48 | 1.25 |
| Annual | $45,350 | $53,280 | $75,500 | $91,730 | $92,950 | $72,140 | ||||
| Rhode Island | Hourly | $21.86 | $29.00 | $34.64 | $40.22 | $40.28 | $33.20 | 110 | 0.22 | 0.57 |
| Annual | $45,470 | $60,310 | $72,040 | $83,660 | $83,780 | $69,060 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Texas | Hourly | $18.48 | $22.46 | $28.50 | $35.16 | $43.58 | $30.19 | 8,800 | 0.63 | 1.62 |
| Annual | $38,440 | $46,710 | $59,280 | $73,120 | $90,650 | $62,790 | ||||
| North Carolina | Hourly | $20.45 | $24.06 | $29.13 | $32.76 | $37.61 | $29.35 | 4,750 | 0.96 | 2.49 |
| Annual | $42,540 | $50,040 | $60,580 | $68,150 | $78,230 | $61,050 | ||||
| California | Hourly | $22.12 | $25.56 | $32.61 | $37.89 | $44.92 | $33.07 | 4,130 | 0.23 | 0.59 |
| Annual | $46,000 | $53,160 | $67,840 | $78,820 | $93,440 | $68,780 | ||||
| Kentucky | Hourly | $23.55 | $28.96 | $36.88 | $75.61 | $78.11 | $46.37 | 2,920 | 1.46 | 3.78 |
| Annual | $48,980 | $60,230 | $76,710 | $157,260 | $162,460 | $96,450 | ||||
| Georgia | Hourly | $18.73 | $21.96 | $27.76 | $35.00 | $39.42 | $28.62 | 2,900 | 0.59 | 1.54 |
| Annual | $38,950 | $45,670 | $57,730 | $72,790 | $81,990 | $59,530 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | Hourly | $26.35 | $30.02 | $75.61 | $75.85 | $75.94 | $53.72 | 970 | 1.41 | 3.66 |
| Annual | $54,800 | $62,450 | $157,260 | $157,770 | $157,960 | $111,740 | ||||
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | Hourly | $22.64 | $32.05 | $43.96 | $54.38 | $54.38 | $43.52 | 320 | 1.99 | 5.14 |
| Annual | $47,080 | $66,660 | $91,440 | $113,100 | $113,100 | $90,520 | ||||
| Clarksville, TN-KY | Hourly | $27.76 | $31.51 | $40.63 | $40.63 | $50.29 | $39.01 | 70 | 0.68 | 1.76 |
| Annual | $57,740 | $65,540 | $84,500 | $84,500 | $104,590 | $81,130 | ||||
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | Hourly | $25.61 | $35.27 | $40.33 | $40.33 | $40.33 | $36.88 | 80 | 0.38 | 0.98 |
| Annual | $53,260 | $73,360 | $83,890 | $83,890 | $83,890 | $76,700 | ||||
| Vallejo, CA | Hourly | $28.16 | $37.53 | $40.16 | $43.35 | $43.35 | $39.08 | 70 | 0.52 | 1.34 |
| Annual | $58,580 | $78,070 | $83,540 | $90,170 | $90,170 | $81,290 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | Hourly | $20.46 | $24.10 | $29.21 | $36.12 | $40.44 | $30.76 | 2,460 | 0.61 | 1.57 |
| Annual | $42,550 | $50,130 | $60,770 | $75,120 | $84,120 | $63,980 | ||||
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | Hourly | $19.11 | $22.64 | $28.04 | $34.43 | $40.37 | $30.00 | 1,950 | 0.59 | 1.53 |
| Annual | $39,740 | $47,080 | $58,310 | $71,620 | $83,960 | $62,410 | ||||
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | Hourly | $18.80 | $21.80 | $27.09 | $37.20 | $40.24 | $28.82 | 1,530 | 0.53 | 1.38 |
| Annual | $39,100 | $45,340 | $56,340 | $77,370 | $83,710 | $59,940 | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $23.27 | $26.71 | $34.98 | $37.84 | $46.43 | $34.04 | 1,310 | 0.21 | 0.54 |
| Annual | $48,390 | $55,550 | $72,750 | $78,700 | $96,570 | $70,790 | ||||
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | Hourly | $18.22 | $22.71 | $23.21 | $29.01 | $29.65 | $24.43 | 1,260 | 0.90 | 2.32 |
| Annual | $37,900 | $47,240 | $48,270 | $60,350 | $61,670 | $50,810 | ||||
Top industries employing maintenance workers, machinery
Warehousing and Storage employ 3.8% of maintenance workers, machinery nationally (2,280 jobs) at a median $57,550 a year ($27.67 an hour), followed by Plastics Product Manufacturing (3.5%) and Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (3.1%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warehousing and Storage NAICS 493100 | 2,280 | 3.8% | $57,550 | $27.67 |
| Plastics Product Manufacturing NAICS 326100 | 2,090 | 3.5% | $60,840 | $29.25 |
| Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers NAICS 423800 | 1,850 | 3.1% | $59,590 | $28.65 |
| Couriers and Express Delivery Services NAICS 492100 | 1,850 | 3.1% | * | * |
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999300 | 1,800 | 3.0% | $63,480 | $30.52 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (60,020). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $48,900 for maintenance workers, machinery in May 2021 and $60,850 in May 2025, with employment of 57,660 and 60,020.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $48,900 | $23.51 | 57,660 |
| May 2022 | $53,310 | $25.63 | 62,770 |
| May 2023 | $57,350 | $27.57 | 58,040 |
| May 2024 | $60,500 | $29.09 | 56,540 |
| May 2025 | $60,850 | $29.25 | 60,020 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
46 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming profile | $40.68 | $84,620 | $60,740 | $112,010 | 280 | 1.01 | 2.61 |
| 2 | New Hampshire profile | $37.05 | $77,070 | $45,870 | $83,890 | 130 | 0.19 | 0.48 |
| 3 | Kentucky profile | $36.88 | $76,710 | $48,980 | $162,460 | 2,920 | 1.46 | 3.78 |
| 4 | Nevada profile | $36.30 | $75,500 | $45,350 | $92,950 | 750 | 0.48 | 1.25 |
| 5 | Rhode Island profile | $34.64 | $72,040 | $45,470 | $83,780 | 110 | 0.22 | 0.57 |
| 6 | California profile | $32.61 | $67,840 | $46,000 | $93,440 | 4,130 | 0.23 | 0.59 |
| 7 | New York profile | $32.51 | $67,610 | $47,880 | $104,360 | 2,760 | 0.29 | 0.74 |
| 8 | Virginia profile | $31.49 | $65,500 | $46,570 | $95,300 | 1,420 | 0.35 | 0.90 |
| 9 | South Carolina profile | $31.21 | $64,910 | $46,760 | $79,060 | 960 | 0.42 | 1.08 |
| 10 | Tennessee profile | $31.15 | $64,790 | $43,510 | $83,480 | 800 | 0.24 | 0.63 |
| 11 | Iowa profile | $31.14 | $64,760 | $49,640 | $79,340 | 900 | 0.58 | 1.49 |
| 12 | Wisconsin profile | $30.92 | $64,310 | $46,150 | $79,740 | 420 | 0.14 | 0.37 |
| 13 | Colorado profile | $30.77 | $64,010 | $47,880 | $85,980 | 740 | 0.26 | 0.67 |
| 14 | Missouri profile | $30.63 | $63,720 | $48,070 | $84,430 | 2,180 | 0.74 | 1.92 |
| 15 | Connecticut profile | $30.41 | $63,250 | $43,610 | $99,500 | 410 | 0.24 | 0.63 |
| 16 | Minnesota profile | $30.30 | $63,020 | $44,000 | $82,030 | 730 | 0.25 | 0.64 |
| 17 | Washington profile | $30.27 | $62,970 | $51,690 | $94,420 | 700 | 0.20 | 0.51 |
| 18 | Louisiana profile | $30.12 | $62,640 | $40,930 | $92,510 | 1,410 | 0.73 | 1.89 |
| 19 | District of Columbia profile | $30.06 | $62,520 | $47,270 | $62,550 | 80 | 0.11 | 0.29 |
| 20 | Alaska profile | $29.47 | $61,290 | $49,720 | $103,760 | 40 | 0.12 | 0.32 |
| 21 | Nebraska profile | $29.42 | $61,190 | $44,140 | $77,320 | 650 | 0.63 | 1.64 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania profile | $29.36 | $61,080 | $45,740 | $98,840 | 1,260 | 0.21 | 0.54 |
| 23 | Utah profile | $29.25 | $60,850 | $42,580 | $79,700 | 1,180 | 0.68 | 1.76 |
| 24 | North Carolina profile | $29.13 | $60,580 | $42,540 | $78,230 | 4,750 | 0.96 | 2.49 |
| 25 | Alabama profile | $29.12 | $60,560 | $46,680 | $77,510 | 420 | 0.20 | 0.51 |
| 26 | Kansas profile | $28.92 | $60,160 | $45,040 | $78,500 | 1,040 | 0.73 | 1.88 |
| 27 | West Virginia profile | $28.86 | $60,020 | $38,370 | $88,750 | 790 | 1.12 | 2.91 |
| 28 | Michigan profile | $28.65 | $59,590 | $41,400 | $78,890 | 1,640 | 0.37 | 0.96 |
| 29 | Maryland profile | $28.64 | $59,570 | $40,020 | $77,730 | 1,870 | 0.68 | 1.76 |
| 30 | Illinois profile | $28.51 | $59,300 | $43,190 | $92,060 | 560 | 0.09 | 0.24 |
| 31 | Ohio profile | $28.50 | $59,280 | $38,330 | $85,400 | 2,330 | 0.42 | 1.09 |
| 32 | Texas profile | $28.50 | $59,280 | $38,440 | $90,650 | 8,800 | 0.63 | 1.62 |
| 33 | Oklahoma profile | $28.35 | $58,970 | $38,740 | $76,530 | 1,530 | 0.90 | 2.32 |
| 34 | New Jersey profile | $27.85 | $57,920 | $38,800 | $72,480 | 310 | 0.07 | 0.19 |
| 35 | Georgia profile | $27.76 | $57,730 | $38,950 | $81,990 | 2,900 | 0.59 | 1.54 |
| 36 | Oregon profile | $27.62 | $57,440 | $43,210 | $88,920 | 430 | 0.22 | 0.57 |
| 37 | Idaho profile | $27.05 | $56,250 | $43,190 | $84,370 | 170 | 0.20 | 0.51 |
| 38 | Arizona profile | $26.98 | $56,130 | $43,710 | $80,940 | 440 | 0.14 | 0.35 |
| 39 | Massachusetts profile | $26.44 | $55,000 | $41,400 | $77,930 | 320 | 0.09 | 0.23 |
| 40 | Mississippi profile | $26.15 | $54,380 | $36,120 | $72,820 | 450 | 0.39 | 1.00 |
| 41 | Arkansas profile | $25.60 | $53,250 | $41,410 | $73,750 | 770 | 0.59 | 1.53 |
| 42 | Maine profile | $25.15 | $52,300 | $45,930 | $70,200 | 490 | 0.76 | 1.98 |
| 43 | Florida profile | $24.95 | $51,900 | $40,370 | $83,670 | 2,830 | 0.29 | 0.74 |
| 44 | Indiana profile | $23.44 | $48,760 | $44,230 | $72,550 | 1,780 | 0.56 | 1.44 |
| 45 | South Dakota profile | $21.75 | $45,240 | $32,460 | $60,530 | 50 | 0.11 | 0.29 |
| 46 | New Mexico profile | $17.42 | $36,240 | $36,240 | $73,580 | ** | ** | ** |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (49-9040), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 49-9043 Maintenance Workers, Machinery.
*- Wage estimate not available.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked. A withheld or top-coded median in that table shows the marker explained above.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 49-9043, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 49-9043.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.