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Plant Maintenance Tech

Career Overview

Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.


Career Outlook


Projections 2022-2030

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. With a
11% Percent change.


2020 Employment

65,600

2030 Employment

72,600

What training is needed?

People starting in this career usually have:

  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • No work experience
  • More than 1 year on-the-job training

Programs that can prepare you for this career are:
  • Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance Technology/Technician

What does a typical day look like?

  • Observe equipment in operation to detect potential problems.
  • Read work orders or descriptions of problems to determine repairs or modifications needed.
  • Inspect mechanical equipment to locate damage, defects, or wear.
  • Communicate with coworkers to coordinate installations or repairs.
  • Reassemble equipment after repair.
  • Test mechanical equipment to ensure proper functioning.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 2055370
Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.