Industrial Machinery Mechanics

Industrial Machinery Mechanics score 27 out of 100, which is moderate exposure to AI. That ranks #556 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 16 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 3 on its own and 3 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 2 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

27/ 100

Moderate

Rank: #556of 923 jobs
US workers: 439,640BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $64,520a year
In real AI use: 2 of 16tasks, April–May 2026

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 3 (19%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 3 (19%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 10 (63%)

Record repairs and maintenance performed.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Record parts or materials used and order or requisition new parts or materials, as necessary.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Enter codes and instructions to program computer-controlled machinery.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Analyze test results, machine error messages, or information obtained from operators to diagnose equipment problems.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Study blueprints or manufacturers' manuals to determine correct installation or operation of machinery.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Assign schedules to work crews.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Repair or maintain the operating condition of industrial production or processing machinery or equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Repair or replace broken or malfunctioning components of machinery or equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Clean, lubricate, or adjust parts, equipment, or machinery.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Disassemble machinery or equipment to remove parts and make repairs.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Reassemble equipment after completion of inspections, testing, or repairs.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Examine parts for defects, such as breakage or excessive wear.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Operate newly repaired machinery or equipment to verify the adequacy of repairs.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Observe and test the operation of machinery or equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using voltmeters or other testing devices.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Cut and weld metal to repair broken metal parts, fabricate new parts, or assemble new equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Demonstrate equipment functions and features to machine operators.Little or no AI speed-up · core task

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Questions about industrial machinery mechanics and AI

Will AI replace industrial machinery mechanics?

Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Industrial Machinery Mechanics score 27 out of 100 (moderate exposure), #556 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 6 of the job's 16 tasks, 3 of them on its own, while 10 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which industrial machinery mechanics tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Record repairs and maintenance performed"; "Record parts or materials used and order or requisition new parts or materials, as necessary"; "Enter codes and instructions to program computer-controlled machinery".

Which industrial machinery mechanics tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Repair or maintain the operating condition of industrial production or processing machinery or equipment"; "Repair or replace broken or malfunctioning components of machinery or equipment"; "Clean, lubricate, or adjust parts, equipment, or machinery".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 2 of the 16 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as industrial machinery mechanics, and what do they earn?

About 439,640 people in the US, with median pay of $64,520 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.

Industrial Machinery Mechanics

Task by task

Similar jobs, lower exposure

Other jobs in this field

Questions about industrial machinery mechanics and AI

Know what's changing before it reaches your job.