What does a plant mechanic do?
Plant mechanics must have a wide range of skills, including attention to detail, problem-solving, coordination, and a strong sense of initiative. This position requires only a high school diploma or GED and experience through an apprenticeship. This position pays salaries ranging from $20 to $24 per hour. Those who choose this career will be expected to repair and maintain equipment on construction or building sites. They also complete preventative maintenance to limit the possibility of emergency repairs.
Plant mechanic responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real plant mechanic resumes:
- Conduct troubleshooting of hydraulic and avionics components, as well s flight control rigging.
- Perform general maintenance; light electrical, light plumbing, painting, light carpentry, and light construction.
- Inspect, lubricate and replace bearings and gearboxes.
- Experience with plumbing, sinks, toilets, traps, boiler piping, radiator and steam pipes.
- Work with airline maintenance controllers t troubleshoot, repair and service aircraft and to certify aircraft for flight.
- Perform simple line maintenance to include refueling, service hydraulics, engine oil, oxygen and minor avionics.
- Repair pumps, fans, autoclaves, motors, gearboxes, hoist, fire doors and all other machine repair.
- Interpret test data to troubleshoot systemic performance problems.
- Work in there fleet department repairing and diagnosis on all emergency apparatuses and ambulances and police vehicles also include maintenance schedules.
- Experience in a food and beverage industry, following GMP's of that nature.
- Set up, maintain and repair during operation, assembling line equipment according with GMP's and standard operating procedures.
- Receive and implement combat orders and direct deployment of personnel in offensive, defensive operations.
Plant mechanic skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Plant Mechanics are proficient in Preventative Maintenance, Plant Equipment, and Plumbing. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Dexterity, and Manual dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Plant Mechanics that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Preventative Maintenance, 11%
Maintain responsibility for all preventative maintenance and repair work performed on plant equipment to determine whether to repair or replace equipment.
- Plant Equipment, 9%
Perform regularly scheduled inspection and maintenance on plant equipment.
- Plumbing, 7%
Performed general maintenance; light electrical, light plumbing, painting, light carpentry, and light construction.
- Mechanical Equipment, 6%
Conducted classroom and on-the-job training on the proper maintenance and safety procedures of a variety of available mechanical equipment.
- Hand Tools, 5%
Constructed foundation for machines, using hand tools and building materials such as wood, cement and steel.
- Ladders, 5%
Work from ladders, scaffolds, and roofs to install, maintain or repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures.
"preventative maintenance," "plant equipment," and "plumbing" are among the most common skills that plant mechanics use at work. You can find even more plant mechanic responsibilities below, including:
Detail oriented. The most essential soft skill for a plant mechanic to carry out their responsibilities is detail oriented. This skill is important for the role because "mechanics and technicians need to adjust airplane parts to exact specifications." Additionally, a plant mechanic resume shows how their duties depend on detail oriented: "assisted in writing and revising technical documents detailing electrical distribution plant operations, formal communication criteria, and electrical safety requirements. "
Dexterity. Many plant mechanic duties rely on dexterity. "mechanics and technicians need to coordinate the movement of their fingers and hands in order to grasp, manipulate, or assemble parts.," so a plant mechanic will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways plant mechanic responsibilities rely on dexterity: "fork lift, 30 ton overhead crane, floor sweeper, genie boom, and scissor lift operation and maintenance. "
The three companies that hire the most plant mechanics are:
- Aramark20 plant mechanics jobs
- AmeriPride Services18 plant mechanics jobs
- Banner Health15 plant mechanics jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable plant mechanic resume templates
Build a professional plant mechanic resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your plant mechanic resume.
Compare different plant mechanics
Plant mechanic vs. Aircraft electrician
An aircraft electrician specializes in installing and repairing electrical systems in an aircraft, ensuring quality and efficiency. Their responsibilities typically include running diagnostic tests and examinations, troubleshooting problems, replacing and fixing components, understanding diagrams, and keeping records. There are also instances where they must solder wires, climb up high places, and perform regular maintenance checks. Moreover, an aircraft electrician typically works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for an efficient and safe workflow.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, plant mechanic responsibilities require skills like "preventative maintenance," "plant equipment," "plumbing," and "mechanical equipment." Meanwhile a typical aircraft electrician has skills in areas such as "hazardous materials," "diagnose malfunctions," "switchboards," and "troubleshoot." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Aircraft electricians tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $63,434. In contrast, plant mechanics make the biggest average salary, $56,394, in the utilities industry.The education levels that aircraft electricians earn slightly differ from plant mechanics. In particular, aircraft electricians are 3.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a plant mechanic. Additionally, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Plant mechanic vs. Aircraft maintenance technician
Aircraft Maintenance Technicians make commercial, government/private airplanes, and helicopters safe for their crew and passengers. They ensure that aircrafts meet Federal Aviation Regulations.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real plant mechanic resumes. While plant mechanic responsibilities can utilize skills like "plant equipment," "plumbing," "mechanical equipment," and "hvac," aircraft maintenance technicians use skills like "powerplant," "work ethic," "strong work ethic," and "delta."
Aircraft maintenance technicians may earn a higher salary than plant mechanics, but aircraft maintenance technicians earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $58,621. On the other hand, plant mechanics receive higher pay in the utilities industry, where they earn an average salary of $56,394.aircraft maintenance technicians earn similar levels of education than plant mechanics in general. They're 2.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Plant mechanic vs. Aviation structural mechanic
An industrial maintenance mechanic is responsible for ensuring the efficiency and optimal performance of industrial equipment and machinery to support operations and prevent operational delays. Industrial maintenance mechanics perform regular maintenance for the equipment, inspecting the components for any malfunctions, and conduct immediate repairs as needed. They also write resolution reports for reference and recommend supplies and resources to avoid the reoccurrence of system problems and downtimes. An industrial maintenance mechanic must have excellent organizational and analytical skills to measure and calibrate instruments properly and identify inconsistencies.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a plant mechanic is likely to be skilled in "preventative maintenance," "plant equipment," "plumbing," and "mechanical equipment," while a typical aviation structural mechanic is skilled in "aircraft airframe," "structural components," "ground support equipment," and "corrosion control."
Most aviation structural mechanics achieve a similar degree level compared to plant mechanics. For example, they're 2.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Plant mechanic vs. Industrial maintenance mechanic
Even though a few skill sets overlap between plant mechanics and industrial maintenance mechanics, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a plant mechanic might have more use for skills like "preventative maintenance," "plant operations," "asphalt," and "water treatment." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of industrial maintenance mechanics require skills like "industrial maintenance," "conveyor systems," "production machines," and "preventive maintenance. "
The construction industry tends to pay the highest salaries for industrial maintenance mechanics, with average annual pay of $52,513. Comparatively, the highest plant mechanic annual salary comes from the utilities industry.In general, industrial maintenance mechanics hold similar degree levels compared to plant mechanics. Industrial maintenance mechanics are 0.8% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of plant mechanic
Updated January 8, 2025
