20 Occupations Where Mechanical Knowledge Is Important

by Sophia Miller

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Mechanical, which involves knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance, belongs to the engineering and technology knowledge domain. Engineering and technology is knowledge of the design, development, and application of technology for specific purposes.. Other knowledge attributes that belong in this group are

Computers and Electronics
Engineering and Technology
Design
Building and Construction

The occupations where mechanical play a major role are listed below.

Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
Aircraft mechanics and service technicians diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Includes helicopter and aircraft engine specialists.
Median Annual Salary: $53,420 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 6.43%

Millwrights
Millwrights install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, or other drawings. The other knowledge domain that is considered important for this occupation is mathematics.
Median Annual Salary: $48,360 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 1.42%

Mobile heavy equipment mechanics
Mobile heavy equipment mechanics diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, and conveyors, used in construction, logging, and surface mining.
Median Annual Salary: $44,830 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 8.66%

Maintenance workers, machinery
Maintenance workers, machinery lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.
Median Annual Salary: $38,460 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 4.57%

Elevator installers and repairers
Elevator installers and repairers assemble, install, repair, or maintain electric or hydraulic freight or passenger elevators, escalators, or dumbwaiters. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include building and construction and customer and personal service.
Median Annual Salary: $70,910 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 9.21%

Motorboat mechanics
Motorboat mechanics repair and adjust electrical and mechanical equipment of inboard or inboard-outboard boat engines.
Median Annual Salary: $35,600 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 5.63%

Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines. Includes mechanics working primarily with automobile or marine diesel engines.
Median Annual Salary: $40,850 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 5.68%

Ship engineers
Ship engineers supervise and coordinate activities of crew engaged in operating and maintaining engines, boilers, deck machinery, and electrical, sanitary, and refrigeration equipment aboard ship.
Median Annual Salary: $65,880 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 18.61%

Farm equipment mechanics
Farm equipment mechanics diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, dairy equipment, and irrigation systems.
Median Annual Salary: $33,640 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 6.87%

First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers. Excludes team or work leaders. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include customer and personal service and education and training.
Median Annual Salary: $59,150 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 4.25%

Industrial machinery mechanics
Industrial machinery mechanics repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems.
Median Annual Salary: $45,420 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 7.28%

Motorcycle mechanics
Motorcycle mechanics diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, dirt bikes, or similar motorized vehicles. The other knowledge domain that is considered important for this occupation is design.
Median Annual Salary: $31,980 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 8.75%

Aerospace engineers
Aerospace engineers perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. They may also conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture. They may also recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include computers and electronics, design, engineering and technology, english language, mathematics and physics.
Median Annual Salary: $97,480 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 10.39%

Commercial divers
Commercial divers work below surface of water, using scuba gear to inspect, repair, remove, or install equipment and structures. They may also use a variety of power and hand tools, such as drills, sledgehammers, torches, and welding equipment. They may also conduct tests or experiments, rig explosives, or photograph structures or marine life. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include building and construction, engineering and technology and physics.
Median Annual Salary: $51,360 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 5.77%

Gas plant operators
Gas plant operators distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.
Median Annual Salary: $57,200

Stationary engineers and boiler operators
Stationary engineers and boiler operators operate or maintain stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or industrial processes. Operate equipment, such as steam engines, generators, motors, turbines, and steam boilers.
Median Annual Salary: $52,140 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 5.23%

Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay inspect, test, repair, or maintain electrical equipment in generating stations, substations, and in-service relays.
Median Annual Salary: $65,230 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 11.53%

Watch repairers
Watch repairers repair, clean, and adjust mechanisms of timing instruments, such as watches and clocks. Includes watchmakers, watch technicians, and mechanical timepiece repairers.
Median Annual Salary: $37,180

Tool and die makers
Tool and die makers analyze specifications, lay out metal stock, set up and operate machine tools, and fit and assemble parts to make and repair dies, cutting tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, and machinists' hand tools. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include design, engineering and technology and mathematics.
Median Annual Salary: $46,930

Mechanical engineering technicians
Mechanical engineering technicians apply theory and principles of mechanical engineering to modify, develop, test, or calibrate machinery and equipment under direction of engineering staff or physical scientists. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include design and engineering and technology.
Median Annual Salary: $50,110