How the national numbers differ
1Industrial Machinery Mechanics has the edge on annual openings
Industrial Machinery Mechanics is at 44,400 annual openings, compared with 100 annual openings for Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons.
Industrial Machinery Mechanics has the edge on projected growth
Industrial Machinery Mechanics is at 17.8% projected growth, compared with -13.7% projected growth for Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons.
Typical preparation differs.
Industrial Machinery Mechanics: High school diploma or equivalent; More than 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons: High school diploma or equivalent; More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing Preparation categories do not establish admission difficulty, calendar time, tuition, time without earnings, or licensing difficulty.
Industrial Machinery Mechanics has the edge on median pay
Industrial Machinery Mechanics is at $64,520, compared with $61,290 for Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons.
74.6/ 100Industrial Machinery Mechanics
vs
28.2/ 100Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons
Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.
Detailed evidence
Industrial Machinery Mechanics vs Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons
| Dimension | Industrial Machinery Mechanics | Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons |
|---|
| Median pay (2025) | $64,520 | $61,290 |
|---|
| Pay percentile | 56.1 percentile | 49.9 percentile |
|---|
| Projected growth (2025–2035) | 17.8% | -13.7% |
|---|
| Annual openings (2025–2035) | 44,400 | 100 |
|---|
| 2025 employment | 446,900 | 1,100 |
|---|
| How you qualify | High school diploma or equivalent; More than 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing | High school diploma or equivalent; More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing |
| O*NET preparation group | Job Zone 3 | Job Zone 2 |
| Related work experience | No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary. | No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary. |
| On-the-job training | More than 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing. | More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing. |
The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.
