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Job Definition
View MovieLubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.
Job Zone

Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed

These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Some may require a formal training course to obtain a license.

Interests
Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Knowledge
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Skills
Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Equipment Selection - Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Installation - Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Technology Design - Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Tasks
Measure, mix, prepare, and test chemical solutions used to clean or repair machinery and equipment.
Read work orders and specifications to determine machines and equipment requiring repair or maintenance.
Record production, repair, and machine maintenance information.
Replace, empty, or replenish machine and equipment containers such as gas tanks or boxes.
Set up and operate machines, and adjust controls to regulate operations.
Transport machine parts, tools, equipment, and other material between work areas and storage, using cranes, hoists, or dollies.
Clean machines and machine parts, using cleaning solvents, cloths, air guns, hoses, vacuums, or other equipment.
Dismantle machines and remove parts for repair, using hand tools, chain falls, jacks, cranes, or hoists.
Inspect or test damaged machine parts, and mark defective areas or advise supervisors of repair needs.
Install, replace, or change machine parts and attachments, according to production specifications.
Lubricate or apply adhesives or other materials to machines, machine parts, or other equipment, according to specified procedures.
Reassemble machines after the completion of repair or maintenance work.
Remove hardened material from machines or machine parts, using abrasives, power and hand tools, jackhammers, sledgehammers, or other equipment.
Replace or repair metal, wood, leather, glass, or other lining in machines, or in equipment compartments or containers.
Start machines and observe mechanical operation to determine efficiency and to detect problems.
Wages

In 2008, the California average annual wage was $39,390.00.

Most people employed in this occupation were paid between $21,280.00 and $63,360.00.

Outlook

During 2006, there were approximately 4,800 people employed in this field in California. It is projected that there will be 5,100 employed in 2016. This occupation will have about 30 openings due to growth and about 80 replacement openings for approximately 110 total annual openings. This occupation .

Colleges and Training
Below are college programs that are generally associated with this occupation. To view colleges that offer these programs, click on the titles below.
Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance Technology - 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.
Similar Occupations
Mechanical Door Repairers - Install, service, or repair opening and closing mechanisms of automatic doors and hydraulic door closers. Includes garage door mechanics.
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers - Assemble, fit, fasten, and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles, or missiles, such as tails, wings, fuselage, bulkheads, stabilizers, landing gear, rigging and control equipment, or heating and ventilating systems.
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers - Construct, assemble, or rebuild machines, such as engines, turbines, and similar equipment used in such industries as construction, extraction, textiles, and paper manufacturing.
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic - Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic - Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.
Notes
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Job Openings
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