Industrial Mechanics
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Industrial Mechanics in the United States earn a median salary of $64,520 per year — about $31 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 538K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +13%.
AI & Automation Risk
The core of this occupation involves physical labor, manual dexterity, and real-time troubleshooting in unpredictable physical environments, which provides a strong barrier against AI automation. While AI will significantly enhance diagnostic capabilities and predictive maintenance scheduling, the actual repair, installation, and physical manipulation of heavy machinery still require human presence and mechanical skill.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WVBEST VALUE | $93,670 | Below avg (87.1) | $107,585 |
| Kokomo, IN | $91,470 | Below avg (89.6) | $102,032 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $96,950 | Average (97.5) | $99,390 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $83,380 | Below avg (88.8) | $93,930 |
| Wichita, KS | $83,540 | Below avg (88.9) | $93,922 |
| Enid, OK * | $75,850 | Below avg (84.3) | $90,009 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $89,830 | Average (100.4) | $89,432 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $77,850 | Below avg (87.1) | $89,424 |
| Jackson, TN | $76,260 | Below avg (85.5) | $89,170 |
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $91,330 | Above avg (103.2) | $88,491 |
| Decatur, AL | $76,990 | Below avg (87.2) | $88,279 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $75,640 | Below avg (86.4) | $87,565 |
| Bay City, MI | $78,960 | Below avg (91.9) | $85,900 |
| Minot, ND | $74,490 | Below avg (87.0) | $85,593 |
| Great Falls, MT | $82,620 | Below avg (96.8) | $85,312 |