Curious about the best-paying jobs in industrial machinery/components? We’re sharing 15 of these industry careers in this article.
Industrial machinery and components are a critical part of the economy, supporting many different goods and services. Working in this field means you’re skilled, you have an excellent work ethic, and you’re interested in working in a career field that’s meaningful and makes a real difference.
Quickstart Guide To Landing A High-Paying Job In Industrial Machinery/Components
- Update your resume. If you want to land a high-paying job and stand out from the competition, you need to have a resume that portrays you as a winning candidate. It is hard to condense your skills and experience onto a piece of paper. To get resume help, we recommend working with a resume writing professional. Check out our top recommendations for the best resume writing services.
- Start looking at jobs on ZipRecruiter. If you are looking for a industrial machinery/components job, start your search on ZipRecruiter! ZipRecruiter is free for job seekers and you can apply for jobs with a single click! ZipRecruiter is our top choice for job posting sites.
Discover Your Dream Job Find jobs near you and apply with 1 click! New jobs posted daily.
What Is The Industrial Machinery/Components Industry?
Industry machinery and its components are the parts and equipment that make up industrial machines. Some examples include:
- Boiler pumps
- Turbines
- Engines
- Robotics equipment
- Packaging machines
This can extend to a wide variety of different industrial goods and parts that are made in factories, including those machines that produce the goods.
This industry is important and plays a major role in the goods that are produced for the global economy.
There are tons of different careers within the industrial machinery/components industry. Many are entry-level and don’t require a college degree and/or experience while others are more seasoned roles.
15 Of The Best Paying Industrial Machinery/Components Jobs
1. Operations Manager
Median National Salary: $100,090/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 3,787,800
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 3% (As fast as average)
Job Duties: An operations manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of a company, ensuring that operations are efficient and aligned with organizational objectives. They use their expertise in process optimization, resource management, and strategic planning to coordinate various departments, improve operational processes, and drive productivity and performance across the organization.
2. Crane Operator
Median National Salary: $51,050/year
Education Required: High school diploma
Number of Jobs: 483,300
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 3% (As fast as average)
Job Duties: A crane operator is responsible for operating cranes to lift, move, and position heavy materials and equipment at construction sites, manufacturing facilities, or other work environments. They use their expertise in crane operation, safety protocols, and load calculations to ensure that lifting operations are conducted safely and efficiently, contributing to the completion of construction and industrial projects.
3. Industrial Machine Mechanic
Median National Salary: $59,470/year
Education Required: High school diploma
Number of Jobs: 507,900
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 13% (Much faster than average)
Job Duties: An industrial machine mechanic is responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing industrial machinery and equipment in manufacturing facilities. They use their expertise in mechanical systems, troubleshooting, and equipment maintenance to ensure that machinery operates efficiently, meets safety standards, and minimizes downtime, contributing to the productivity and reliability of industrial operations.
4. Pipefitter
Median National Salary: $60,090/year
Education Required: High school diploma
Number of Jobs: 482,700
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 2% (As fast as average)
Job Duties: A pipefitter is responsible for installing, assembling, and maintaining piping systems that carry liquids, gases, and chemicals in various industrial and commercial settings. They use their expertise in reading blueprints, cutting and welding pipes, and installing fixtures to ensure that piping systems meet specifications, adhere to safety standards, and function effectively within the facility.
5. Assembler
Median National Salary: $37,970/year
Education Required: High school diploma
Number of Jobs: 1,961,900
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: -6% (Decline)
Job Duties: An assembler is responsible for assembling components or parts to create finished products or subassemblies. They use their expertise in reading blueprints, operating tools, and following assembly instructions to ensure that products are built to specifications and meet quality standards.
6. Industrial Designer
Median National Salary: $75,910/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 32,400
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 2% (As fast as average)
Job Duties: An industrial designer is responsible for creating and developing the concepts and designs for manufactured products, such as appliances, vehicles, and consumer goods. They use their expertise in design principles, prototyping, and materials to develop innovative and functional product designs that meet user needs, manufacturing requirements, and market demands.
7. Robotics Engineer
Median National Salary: $96,310/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 286,100
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 10% (Much faster than average)
Job Duties: A robotics engineer is responsible for designing, building, and testing robotic systems and components for various applications, such as manufacturing, healthcare, and exploration. They use their expertise in mechanical engineering, programming, and artificial intelligence to develop and optimize robotic technologies that automate tasks, improve efficiency, and expand the capabilities of robotic systems.
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8. Quality Assurance Inspector
Median National Salary: $43,900/year
Education Required: High school diploma
Number of Jobs: 595,400
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: -4% (Decline)
Job Duties: A quality assurance inspector is responsible for examining products and materials to ensure that they meet specified quality standards and regulations. They use their expertise in inspection techniques, quality control processes, and product specifications to identify defects, maintain quality records, and contribute to the production of high-quality goods.
9. Human Resources Manager
Median National Salary: $130,000/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 191,600
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 5% (Faster than average)
Job Duties: A human resource manager is responsible for overseeing the recruitment, hiring, and management of employees within an organization. They use their expertise in employment law, organizational development, and employee relations to develop and implement HR policies, resolve workplace issues, and support the overall well-being and productivity of the workforce.
10. Warehouse Worker
Median National Salary: $34,960/year
Education Required: High school diploma
Number of Jobs: 7,099,400
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 5% (Faster than average)
Job Duties: A warehouse worker is responsible for receiving, storing, and distributing goods within a warehouse setting. They use their expertise in inventory management, material handling, and logistics to ensure that products are organized, stored, and shipped efficiently to meet customer demands.
11. Industrial Production Manager
Median National Salary: $107,560/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 222,100
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 2% (As fast as average)
Job Duties: An industrial production manager is responsible for overseeing the operations of manufacturing plants and facilities, ensuring that production processes are efficient, safe, and meet quality standards. They use their expertise in production management, process optimization, and resource allocation to coordinate production activities, monitor output, and implement strategies that improve productivity and meet production targets.
12. Machinist
Median National Salary: $49,560/year
Education Required: High school diploma
Number of Jobs: 389,700
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 0% (Little or no change)
Job Duties: A machinist is responsible for setting up and operating a variety of machine tools to produce precision metal parts. They use their expertise in machining techniques, blueprint reading, and tooling to fabricate components and ensure that they meet the required specifications and quality standards.
13. Fabricator
Median National Salary: $37,930/year
Education Required: High school diploma
Number of Jobs: 1,961,900
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: -6% (Decline)
Job Duties: A fabricator is responsible for cutting, shaping, and assembling metal or other materials to create structural components or finished products. They use their expertise in welding, metal fabrication, and blueprint interpretation to produce items that meet design specifications and quality standards.
14. Financial Manager
Median National Salary: $139,790/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 792,600
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 16% (Much faster than average)
Job Duties: A financial manager is responsible for overseeing an organization's financial health, including managing investments, creating financial reports, and developing strategies for long-term financial goals. They use their expertise in financial analysis, risk management, and strategic planning to ensure that the organization's financial operations are efficient, compliant, and aligned with its objectives.
15. Marketing Manager
Median National Salary: $138,730/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 389,000
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 6% (Faster than average)
Job Duties: A marketing manager is responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies to promote products or services, identify target markets, and increase brand awareness. They use their expertise in market research, advertising, and consumer behavior to drive sales, enhance brand visibility, and achieve marketing objectives.
Requirements And Skills For The Industrial Machinery/Components Industry
Industrial machinery/components industry careers are diverse with each job carrying different minimum work requirements. Regardless of the career path you take in this field, in general it’s great to have these soft skills in place:
- Communication skills: Being a strong communicator is about active listening, being able to receive feedback and contribute to the conversation, as well as having high emotional intelligence.
- Work ethic: A strong work ethic is critical in the machinery/components industry, especially in many of the blue collar jobs where you’re working with your hands in a labor-intensive job. You’re a hard worker and you’re dedicated to the job.
- Teamwork: Being a team player is critical in this industry. It means you work well with others and know when to lead and when to follow.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills: Possessing critical thinking and problem-solving skills means you can spot problems that arise and think through the problem to solve it.
Pros and Cons of Working in Industrial Machinery/Components
There are benefits and drawbacks to working in this field. Here are some of the pros and cons to consider before deciding to work in industrial machinery/components.
Pros of Industrial Machinery/Components Careers
- High salary
- Excellent work-life balance
- Career advancement opportunities
- Job satisfaction
Cons of Industrial Machinery/Components Careers
- Labor-intensive roles for many careers
- The highest-paid jobs require upper education (a college degree)
This essential industry can bring workers a lot of job satisfaction and a sense of personal enrichment working in a field that supports the global economy. The barrier to entry is low for many positions, with career advancement opportunities available and a high starting salary.
You’ll likely work a 40-hour work week with the inability to “take work home” with you which means work-life balance will be higher in this field.
You do want to consider the drawbacks like the probability of working in a labor-intensive role. Many people enjoy working with their hands and working in a labor field, which many of these careers will offer. So, this could be a benefit or drawback, depending on your interests.
Higher-paying roles like management do require a college degree so if you wish to transition into a more seasoned position in the future, going back to school may be needed.
How To Get A Good-Paying Industrial Machinery/Components Job
Landing a good-paying industrial machinery/components career boils is about having the right mix of skills and experience for the job. Preparing a professional resume goes a long way in helping you secure a career.
Here is our guide to the best resume writing services. You can use a resume writing service to help you create a winning resume to go along with your job application.
Best Places To Find High-Paying Industrial Machinery/Components Jobs
You can find the best-paying industrial machinery/components jobs here:
ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter is a top career search website that has hosted millions of job listings online. They offer various resources to aid in the job search process like salary search tools, the opportunity to read job seeker reviews, get job seeker support, and more.
For more information, check out our ZipRecruiter review.
Discover Your Dream Job Find jobs near you and apply with 1 click! New jobs posted daily.
Indeed
Indeed is a job search website where you can find jobs, search for salaries, and read company reviews. You can find thousands of jobs in industrial machinery/components, among other industries.
For more information, check out our Indeed review.
Google Jobs
Google Jobs has many careers in the industry machinery/components field. It’s easy to search for jobs and find the perfect job you’re looking for.
For more information, check out our Google For Jobs review.
The Bottom Line
There you go, the best paying jobs in industrial machinery/components. With the right skills, education and experience, you can land a well-paying career in this industry.
Working in industrial machinery/components is hard work but it's important work. With the right attitude and willingness to learn, you can start with an entry-level role and work your way up the career ladder into even higher paid positions.
When you’re ready to begin your career search, visit ZipRecruiter to get started!
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