Find a Job You Really Want In
Yes, industrial machinery/components is a smart career path. The industry has been a major part of our economy for the better part of 200 years, and that’s unlikely to change. Especially with the push lately to move manufacturing and other industry back to the United States.
Industrial machinery and components is a wide-reaching industry, meaning that there are myriad career options to choose from. Whether you’re interested in getting a four-year degree, apprenticing, or just stepping into the workforce, there’s a job you can find here.
There’s a lot of room for growth in the sector, as well as some overlapping jobs. That means that if you think you might want to switch careers at some point, you can take your knowledge and experience and apply it to a different career path.
Here are 20 great jobs in industrial machinery/components:
10 of the Best Paying Jobs in Industrial Machinery/Components
As with almost any industry, better-paid jobs require more education. Almost every job on this list is going to require a college degree. And if you’re really looking for high-paying work, experience is going to be a huge asset.
-
Average Annual Salary: $78,000
Industrial engineers specialize in the industry, though they aren’t limited to industrial machinery/components. They focus on the best, most practical way to set up production. This includes helping design the layout of the production floor as well as being familiar with the processes themselves.
-
Average Annual Salary: $81,000
This type of engineering is similar to industrial engineering, but it focuses entirely on the process. Process engineers help to optimize it in terms of materials, chemical components, and design. They’re also involved in the testing and upgrading of systems in order to make sure it’s the best they can be.
-
Continuous Improvement Engineer
Average Annual Salary: $74,000
As the title suggests, continuous improvement engineers are focused entirely on improving a process. This job is not limited to this field, and continuous improvement engineers are employed in almost every industry.
Their duties are mainly focused on testing and studying the current process and searching for ways to make it better – be that more efficient, less expensive, or more durable.
-
Average Annual Salary: $60,000
While the general connotation of hygiene is cleanliness, its true definition is general health. Industrial hygienists focus on all aspects of health in an industrial environment.
This includes cleanliness, sanitation, comfort, and trying to bolster mental health. They are responsible for coming up with plans and helping to implement them, as well as educating the workforce.
-
Average Annual Salary: $76,000
Manufacturing engineers focus entirely on the manufacturing process. They come up with the most cost-efficient way to manufacture the best product. It’s imperative they are familiar with the current rules and regulations and make sure that the manufacturing process follows them.
-
Average Annual Salary: $40,000
The vast majority of boilermakers no longer make boilers. However, they still do construct, install, and repair large metal containers to hold liquids.
This means that they need to be familiar with different types of metal, know how to weld and properly fit pipes, as well as know how to repair what they make – and know how long before it needs maintenance.
-
Average Annual Salary: $75,000
Industrial designers design products for manufacture. They work with clients to design blueprints, mockups, and samples of products. In order to make sure their designs are feasible, they also work with manufacturers, material scientists, as well as safety and quality experts.
Due to the broadness of the career, most industrial designers have a specialty, such as toys, furniture, or vehicles.
-
Average Annual Salary: $79,000
Mechanical engineers specialize in machines. Their work mainly involves improving on design, materials, and durability of machines. They’re also involved in coming up with better ways to maintain and repair machines that are already in service.
-
Average Annual Salary: $86,000
This job is focused on making sure that a product is feasible to make and keeps up quality with the current materials and technology. Quality assurance engineers help with overall production, but they are mainly focused on the product itself.
It has to be within cost parameters but also within parameters for quality and the number of products that end up defective.
-
Average Annual Salary: $77,000
Someone with this job does exactly what it sounds like. They design machines in order to meet the requirements of their client. They have to be able to draw up designs and blueprints for machines.
They often work with mechanical engineers and other related professionals to make sure that their work is reasonable, able to accomplish what’s needed, and within budget.
Each of the above jobs requires a college degree – save for boilermaker – and may require experience in a related field. So this is an idea of where a career in industrial machinery/components is likely to look at the height of your career. If you’re looking to get started in the industry, then the below list is worth a look.
10 Entry-Level Jobs in Industrial Machinery/Components
Several of these jobs don’t require a college degree and instead rely on education from a vocational school or apprenticeship. Most of these careers are excellent in their own right but will also help if you’re looking to go into higher-paid positions, such as a mechanical engineer.
-
Average Annual Salary: $38,000
Welding is a skilled trade that involves connecting two pieces of metal together with high heat. Several other skilled trades require knowledge of welding as well, so it’s a good place to start in a vocational school.
-
Average Annual Salary: $40,000
A machine builder does exactly what it sounds like; they build machines. They assemble machines based on instructions, blueprints, and sketches. It’s a physically demanding job, as it requires being able to carry, move, and hold heavy equipment and tools. It’s not exclusive to this industry, but they often work in the manufacturing or processing sector.
-
Average Annual Salary: $45,000
Machinists are skilled workers that are responsible for actually making machined items. Most of their job is programming the requirements into the computer. However, they have to be familiar with the program, components, and machining process in order to do the job properly.
They can either make individual or custom pieces or work on a larger scale, such as setting up machining for an assembly line.
-
Average Annual Salary: $36,000
This is a specialized painting job. Industrial painters provide painting services to industrial enterprises, such as construction and manufacturing. They aren’t restricted to painting walls and ceilings, either, as they may paint vehicles or other manufactured items.
They need to be familiar with different types of paint and how they work on different surfaces, as well as safety equipment. Industrial painters are unlikely to work alone, so you need to be able to follow directions and work as a team.
-
Average Annual Salary: $50,000
Also called industrial mechanics, millwrights maintain and repair industrial machinery. They will also install heavy machinery and move it if the need arises. They need to be able to read blueprints and sketches and be familiar with different types of metal and mechanisms.
This is a skilled trade that is often apprenticed, though some vocational schools will also offer classes.
-
Average Annual Salary: $32,000
The majority of factories have at least a few manned machines. A machine operator has to know the proper way to operate the machine, as well as basic maintenance. They’re responsible for making sure their machine runs properly as well as keeping it oiled and clean.
-
Average Annual Salary: $35,000
Logistics associates are tasked with making sure that the company has the goods it needs when it needs them. They assist with the distribution, storage, inspection, and delivery of required goods and products.
This involves keeping the database up to date, keeping track of any potential snags in the supply line, and finding ways to rectify that.
-
Average Annual Salary: $67,000
This job involves a lot of attention to detail. An operations analyst’s main job is in data management. This necessitates working closely with other members of the team to make sure that the database is kept up to date and accurate.
In order to be effective in this job, you have to be comfortable with math and computers and have good communication skills.
-
Average Annual Salary: $48,000
Technicians are typically hands-on, and this position is no exception. A calibration technician’s job is to make sure that the machines are properly calibrated. This means testing them, doing measurements, and correcting them if they’re off. It requires attention to detail along with familiarity with machines and measurements.
-
Average Annual Salary: $58,000
An industrial electrician is a specialized electrician. They work in industrial buildings, making sure that the electrical setup can handle the load of a factory. It involves running a lot of wires, as well as setting up the electrical system in large buildings. Industrial electricians also repair and upgrade existing electrical systems when needed.
Vocational schools will offer many of the skills for several of the above jobs, but some still need a college degree. It’s going to depend on what level of education you’ve decided you want to pursue.
Why Choose a Career in Industrial Machinery/Components?
The types of careers in this industry are varied in the amount of education required, as well as how much you end up working with your hands versus doing more cerebral work. However, there are still some qualities that will help you with any job in this industry. Here are some traits to consider.
-
You love machines. Not every job on this list involves working directly with machinery, but most of them require at least a passing knowledge of them. So if you don’t have at least an interest in them, it may not be the best career path for you.
-
How things are made interests you. Working with industrial machinery generally means that you’re going to be working around factories or processing centers. How those processes work is a major component of it.
-
You like to build things. There are a few exceptions, but almost every job listed here involves building or putting things together or designing them. Some of them are improvements in the process, which is in a similar vein.
-
You’re detail-oriented. Whether you’re designing something, improving a system, or putting a system together, the details are important. All of these jobs require attention to detail and being willing to correct errors.
Of course, there’s variance depending on what type of job you choose to do. But if the above qualities describe you, then you should absolutely look into going into industrial machinery/components as a career path.
Education and Certification Requirements for a Career in Industrial Machinery/Components
The level of education required is going to vary greatly depending on the career you choose to pursue. But here are some ideas for majors to look into.
-
Industrial Technology. This covers the science of industry, from manufacturing and industrial production to the management of such a system.
-
Logistics. This covers the supply chain and shipping goods. This is a good choice if you want to go into logistics and supply chain management.
-
Mechatronics and Robotics. This specializes in machines and robots. This is good if you want to be a machine designer or a mechanical engineer.
-
Engineering. This is a generic degree that can get you into any kind of engineering. But you can also specialize:
-
Industrial Engineering. If you want to be an industrial engineer.
-
Manufacturing Engineering. If you’re looking to become a manufacturing engineer.
-
Mechanical Engineering. If you want to be a mechanical engineer.
-
Several of the other jobs listed above are skilled trades. A vocational school is an excellent place to start, but several of them also have apprenticeship programs. And the majority of them must be licensed.
-
Boilermakers and Millwrights must be licensed.
-
Electricians also need to be licensed and meet training requirements.
-
Some states require that welders be licensed as well.
-
The majority of those who operate heavy equipment need to be trained and licensed, too.
There are various certifications that you can get to further your career as well. This will depend on what you choose to do. For instance, it’s strongly recommended for industrial hygienists to be certified, and there are various other certifications you can get to prove your knowledge and experience.
What Do People Working In Industrial Machinery/Components Do?
People in Industrial Machinery/Components set up, maintain, and improve factories and other industrial complexes. This is multifaceted, of course, as it involves being familiar with machinery, design, and manufacturing. Several of the careers listed above overlap with two or even all three, but many focus on just one aspect.
If you work in the setup, you can help with the layout design and the ergonomics of it. Or you can assemble the machinery and test it to make sure it’s working properly and is safe.
If you’re part of maintenance, then you continue to test to make sure everything’s working properly. It also involves making sure the machinery is kept clean and oiled. If the problem runs deeper than that, then it’s time to repair or replace it, depending on the circumstances. This could be recalibration, part replacement, or even replacing it with a new apparatus.
As for improvement, those in industrial machinery/components are always looking for ways to streamline the process. Whether using different packaging, altering the order of manufacture, or altering materials, there’s always someone on the lookout to make it better, quicker, or less expensive – hopefully all three.
Jobs in this industry vary greatly in the amount of education and training required. Many require college degrees, while others require an apprenticeship or learning at a vocational school, and a few can be stepped right into. So no matter what you’re looking for, you’re likely to find a job that fits your requirements.
Author
Di has been a writer for more than half her life. Most of her writing so far has been fiction, and she’s gotten short stories published in online magazines Kzine and Silver Blade, as well as a flash fiction piece in the Bookends review. Di graduated from Mary Baldwin College (now University) with a degree in Psychology and Sociology.
