What does a line mechanic do?

A line mechanic specializes in installing and maintaining a variety of mechanical and electrical equipment. Their responsibilities typically include conducting inspections, troubleshooting problems, replacing parts, and performing necessary repairs. There are instances where they must install and repair cables, climb poles, and fix control lines. They may also perform regular maintenance checks to ensure the quality of equipment. Furthermore, a line mechanic must maintain an active communication line with staff, coordinating for a safe and efficient workflow.
Line mechanic responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real line mechanic resumes:
- Organize a procedure for rapid plumbing repairs by proactively devising a solid inventory system for effectively managing spare parts and tools.
- Practice good OSHA and company safety standards.
- Complete production line assignments, maintaining strict OSHA sanitary standards.
- Maintain and repair PLC automate, electronic, pneumatic and mechanical machinery.
- Install and repair electrical equipment such as switches, motors, and relays.
- Fabricate defective sections or parts, using metal fabricating machines, saws, brakes, shears, and grinders.
- Open switches or attach grounding devices in order to remove electrical hazards from disturb or fallen lines or to facilitate repairs.
- Maintain assembly-line machinery consisting of pneumatic, hydraulic and electrical PLC.
- Work in there fleet department repairing and diagnosis on all emergency apparatuses and ambulances and police vehicles also include maintenance schedules.
- Belt maintenance, screen maintenance, dryer maintenance, welding, cutting, operating skid steer, forklifts and back hoes.
- Utilize safe crane operations to maneuver motors to desire location.
- Perform crane and hoisting equipment maintenance, operates crane and hoist.
- Share responsibility for department tool control and training program resulting in no off track audits from QA.
- Maintain and repair both isotropic & anisotropic plasma etch equipment including hi power RF amplifiers.
Line mechanic skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Line Mechanics are proficient in Preventative Maintenance, Ladders, and Safety Regulations. They’re also known for soft skills such as Manual dexterity, Mechanical skills, and Troubleshooting skills.
We break down the percentage of Line Mechanics that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Preventative Maintenance, 14%
Performed preventative maintenance on production equipment in compliance with good manufacturing practices, safety and audit standards.
- Ladders, 10%
Work from ladders, scaffolds, and roofs to install, maintain or repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures.
- Safety Regulations, 8%
Followed company policies and procedures as well as enforcing safety regulations.
- Switches, 6%
Maintained, repaired, serviced contactor panels consisting of coils, points, current contactor, switches.
- Production Equipment, 6%
Provided Production line maintenance repair and support for various production equipment to ensure minimum downtime and maximum reliability.
- Hand Tools, 5%
Assemble Nose Wheel Well side panels*Drill Holes*Installation of Hi-locks, Rivets, & Collars* Use of hand tools and squeezes
Common skills that a line mechanic uses to do their job include "preventative maintenance," "ladders," and "safety regulations." You can find details on the most important line mechanic responsibilities below.
Manual dexterity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a line mechanic to have is manual dexterity. Their role and responsibilities require that "industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights must have a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination when handling very small parts." Line mechanics often use manual dexterity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "consulted both manufacturer and maintenance manuals for specifications and to determine feasibility of repair or replacement according to malfunction. "
Mechanical skills. Another essential skill to perform line mechanic duties is mechanical skills. Line mechanics responsibilities require that "industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights use technical manuals and sophisticated diagnostic equipment to figure out why machines are not working." Line mechanics also use mechanical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "assemble and install electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and structural components and accessories, using hand tools and power tools. "
Troubleshooting skills. line mechanics are also known for troubleshooting skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to line mechanic responsibilities, because "industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights must observe, diagnose, and fix problems that a machine may be having." A line mechanic resume example shows how troubleshooting skills is used in the workplace: "promoted from line mechanic where responsibilities included maintenance & troubleshooting of production line equipment. "
The three companies that hire the most line mechanics are:
- PDS Tech44 line mechanics jobs
- Eversource Energy38 line mechanics jobs
- BD23 line mechanics jobs
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Line mechanic vs. Repairman
An industrial maintenance/electrician specializes in installing and maintaining electrical systems in different establishments. Responsibilities usually include performing inspections to assess electrical damages on systems, understanding blueprints, troubleshooting problems, replacing or fixing components, and conducting regular maintenance checks to ensure that electrical systems function smoothly and efficiently. Moreover, an industrial maintenance/electrician may also upgrade facilities, provide technical support to staff, and train new members of the workforce while enforcing and promoting the company's safety standards and regulations.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, line mechanic responsibilities require skills like "preventative maintenance," "ladders," "safety regulations," and "switches." Meanwhile a typical repairman has skills in areas such as "safety rules," "pry bars," "preventive maintenance," and "aar." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Repairmen really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $44,834. Comparatively, line mechanics tend to make the most money in the utilities industry with an average salary of $54,124.On average, repairmen reach similar levels of education than line mechanics. Repairmen are 0.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Line mechanic vs. Chemical processing equipment repairer
Each career also uses different skills, according to real line mechanic resumes. While line mechanic responsibilities can utilize skills like "preventative maintenance," "ladders," "safety regulations," and "switches," chemical processing equipment repairers use skills like "decontamination equipment," "damage assessment," "mos," and "ait."
In general, chemical processing equipment repairers achieve similar levels of education than line mechanics. They're 1.1% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Line mechanic vs. Industrial maintenance/electrician
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, line mechanics are more likely to have skills like "preventative maintenance," "safety regulations," "landing gear," and "safety procedures." But a industrial maintenance/electrician is more likely to have skills like "ac dc," "electrical equipment," "allen-bradley," and "osha."
Industrial maintenance/electricians make a very good living in the automotive industry with an average annual salary of $59,754. On the other hand, line mechanics are paid the highest salary in the utilities industry, with average annual pay of $54,124.Most industrial maintenance/electricians achieve a similar degree level compared to line mechanics. For example, they're 2.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Line mechanic vs. Machine repairman
Types of line mechanic
Updated January 8, 2025











