Maintenance Workers, Machinery
Machines can already do 20% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 56%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Maintenance Workers, Machinery in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 20% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2034, and 56% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 60,020 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $60,850 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 64% for contact with people.
- Also called: Lubricator, Machine Repairer, Maintainer, Maintenance Craftsman.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dismantle machines and remove parts for repair, using hand tools, chain falls, jacks, cranes, or hoists | 12% | 3% to 30% | |
| Install, replace, or change machine parts and attachments, according to production specifications | 12% | 20% to 60% | |
| Reassemble machines after the completion of repair or maintenance work | 10% | 3% to 30% | |
| Lubricate or apply adhesives or other materials to machines, machine parts, or other equipment according to specified procedures | 9% | 20% to 60% | |
| Clean machines and machine parts, using cleaning solvents, cloths, air guns, hoses, vacuums, or other equipment | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Collaborate with other workers to repair or move machines, machine parts, or equipment | 6% | 3% to 30% | |
| Record production, repair, and machine maintenance information | 5% | 70% to 95% | |
| Read work orders and specifications to determine machines and equipment requiring repair or maintenance | 5% | 55% to 85% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills maintenance workers, machinery use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Signal and Track Switch Repairers52% of tasks by 2035 · US median $92,460
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines44% of tasks by 2035 · US median $65,510
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $64,520
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $79,870
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Maintenance Workers, Machinery?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2034. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of maintenance workers, machinery?
Machines can do 20% of the tasks of maintenance workers, machinery today and 56% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 49-9043.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Maintenance Workers, Machinery: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/maintenance-workers-machinery/