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.
- Median pay
- $53,710
- Doing it now
- 33,500
- By 2035
- Down 17%
- Usually needs
- High school diploma or equivalent
a year
across the country
2,100 openings a year
to get in
What the work involves
- Inspect, operate, and test completed products to verify functioning, machine capabilities, or conformance to customer specifications.
- Position or align components for assembly, manually or using hoists.
- Set and verify parts clearances.
- Rework, repair, or replace damaged parts or assemblies.
- Read and interpret assembly blueprints or specifications manuals, and plan assembly or building operations.
- Verify conformance of parts to stock lists or blueprints, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauges, or micrometers.
- Fasten or install piping, fixtures, or wiring and electrical components to form assemblies or subassemblies, using hand tools, rivet guns, or welding equipment.
What to study
The fields of study the Department of Education links to this occupation, most widely taught first.
- Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/TechniciansSee 24 colleges that teach it
Who it suits
O*NET scores every occupation on six interest dimensions. This one leans hardest on these three.
Hands-on and practical
Organised and precise
Analytical and curious
Careers like this one
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$50,620
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$61,770
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics$47,880
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers$65,380
- Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians$57,550
- Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians$52,000
Where this comes from: the description and the task list are O*NET, which the Department of Labor maintains. Pay, workforce size, outlook and the education normally needed are the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections programme, 2025 wages and 2025 to 2035 projections. Half of them earn more than $53,710 a year, which means half earn less, and what you would earn depends on where you work and how long you have been doing it. The fields of study come from the National Center for Education Statistics crosswalk.