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Plant mechanic salary
Average plant mechanic salary
$45,332
Understanding Plant Mechanic Salaries
The average salary for a plant mechanic in the United States is approximately $45,332 annually, translating to about $22 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as experience, geographic location, and the specific industry in which the mechanic works. For instance, seasoned professionals in high-demand areas may earn substantially more.
Salary Breakdown by Experience
Entry-level plant mechanics typically start at lower salary ranges, but opportunities for growth exist as they gain experience. According to data, mechanics with 1-4 years of experience earn around $38,000, while those with 5-9 years can earn upwards of $50,000.
Highest Paying States
States like California, Texas, and New York offer some of the highest salaries for plant mechanics, reflecting the cost of living and demand for skilled workers. For example, mechanics in California can earn an average salary of $57,000.
Career Outlook
The job market for plant mechanics remains strong, with opportunities across various industries, including manufacturing and energy. The demand for skilled mechanics is projected to grow, making this a promising career choice for those interested in technical work.
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Where can a Plant Mechanic earn more?
Plant mechanic salaries by experience level
Plant mechanic salary estimates from across the web
Average plant mechanic salary by state
The average plant mechanic salary in Alaska, California, and Nevada are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average plant mechanic salary states are Michigan, Kansas, and Arkansas.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for plant mechanics
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $82,932 | $39.87 |
| 2 | Nevada | $59,858 | $28.78 |
| 3 | Wyoming | $50,537 | $24.30 |
| 4 | Delaware | $54,172 | $26.04 |
| 5 | North Dakota | $49,446 | $23.77 |
| 6 | New Mexico | $49,970 | $24.02 |
| 7 | Washington | $58,760 | $28.25 |
| 8 | California | $63,843 | $30.69 |
| 9 | Vermont | $51,306 | $24.67 |
| 10 | Ohio | $49,898 | $23.99 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $51,056 | $24.55 |
| 12 | New Jersey | $55,052 | $26.47 |
| 13 | Connecticut | $54,116 | $26.02 |
| 14 | Montana | $46,311 | $22.26 |
| 15 | Louisiana | $45,926 | $22.08 |
| 16 | Massachusetts | $53,717 | $25.83 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | $47,239 | $22.71 |
| 18 | South Carolina | $45,516 | $21.88 |
| 19 | Wisconsin | $47,338 | $22.76 |
| 20 | Rhode Island | $50,034 | $24.05 |
| 21 | South Dakota | $44,336 | $21.32 |
| 22 | Hawaii | $52,408 | $25.20 |
| 23 | Utah | $46,208 | $22.22 |
| 24 | Arizona | $46,645 | $22.43 |
| 25 | Kentucky | $44,288 | $21.29 |
| 26 | Colorado | $49,378 | $23.74 |
| 27 | New York | $50,682 | $24.37 |
| 28 | Indiana | $43,718 | $21.02 |
| 29 | Maryland | $49,207 | $23.66 |
| 30 | Alabama | $42,964 | $20.66 |
| 31 | Iowa | $42,680 | $20.52 |
| 32 | Tennessee | $42,776 | $20.57 |
| 33 | Mississippi | $42,606 | $20.48 |
| 34 | Texas | $43,820 | $21.07 |
| 35 | Maine | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| 36 | Oregon | $47,052 | $22.62 |
| 37 | New Hampshire | $45,741 | $21.99 |
| 38 | Idaho | $42,389 | $20.38 |
| 39 | West Virginia | $41,232 | $19.82 |
| 40 | Oklahoma | $41,415 | $19.91 |
| 41 | Missouri | $43,023 | $20.68 |
| 42 | Virginia | $44,192 | $21.25 |
| 43 | District of Columbia | $46,461 | $22.34 |
| 44 | Illinois | $43,324 | $20.83 |
| 45 | Georgia | $42,183 | $20.28 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $39,966 | $19.21 |
| 47 | Nebraska | $35,872 | $17.25 |
| 48 | Kansas | $39,986 | $19.22 |
| 49 | Michigan | $40,490 | $19.47 |
| 50 | North Carolina | $38,435 | $18.48 |
| 51 | Florida | $36,249 | $17.43 |
Highest paying cities for plant mechanics
The highest-paying cities for plant mechanics are South San Francisco, CA, Carson City, NV, and Bremerton, WA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South San Francisco, CA | $69,057 | $33.20 |
| 2 | Carson City, NV | $64,165 | $30.85 |
| 3 | Bremerton, WA | $59,299 | $28.51 |
| 4 | Newark, NJ | $55,288 | $26.58 |
| 5 | Bay Shore, NY | $50,998 | $24.52 |
| 6 | Casper, WY | $50,403 | $24.23 |
| 7 | Fargo, ND | $49,602 | $23.85 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $49,474 | $23.79 |
| 9 | Greeley, CO | $49,466 | $23.78 |
| 10 | Baltimore, MD | $49,438 | $23.77 |
| 11 | Phoenix, AZ | $46,838 | $22.52 |
| 12 | Washington, DC | $46,477 | $22.34 |
| 13 | Salt Lake City, UT | $46,169 | $22.20 |
| 14 | Winchester, VA | $45,337 | $21.80 |
| 15 | Fort Worth, TX | $44,090 | $21.20 |
| 16 | Bowling Green, KY | $43,572 | $20.95 |
| 17 | Chicago, IL | $43,493 | $20.91 |
| 18 | Des Moines, IA | $42,490 | $20.43 |
| 19 | Oklahoma City, OK | $41,415 | $19.91 |
| 20 | Canton, MI | $40,451 | $19.45 |
Plant mechanic salary details
A plant mechanic's salary ranges from $32,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $64,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a plant mechanic's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $64,000 | $5,333 | $31 |
| 75th Percentile | $54,000 | $4,500 | $26 |
| Average | $45,332 | $3,778 | $22 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| 10th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
Highest paying plant mechanic jobs
The highest paying types of plant mechanics are systems mechanic, aircraft structure mechanic, and helicopter mechanic.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Electrician | $54,605 | $4,550 | $26.25 | 19,166 |
| Aircraft Maintenance Technician | $53,026 | $4,419 | $25.49 | 105,268 |
| Industrial Maintenance Mechanic | $50,082 | $4,174 | $24.08 | 168,718 |
| Aircraft Structure Mechanic | $62,809 | $5,234 | $30.20 | 36,380 |
| Aircraft Technician | $50,212 | $4,184 | $24.14 | 28,265 |
| Mechanic Helper | $31,892 | $2,658 | $15.33 | 48,546 |
Top companies hiring plant mechanics now:
Which companies pay plant mechanics the most?
Plant mechanic salaries at SMUD and WakeMed are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average plant mechanic salary at companies like Pacifi and DCP Midstream are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SMUD | $77,175 | $37.10 |
| 2 | WakeMed | $64,988 | $31.24 |
| 3 | Pacifi | $63,634 | $30.59 |
| 4 | DCP Midstream | $62,321 | $29.96 |
| 5 | Allan A. Myers | $60,395 | $29.04 |
| 6 | HealthTrust | $59,102 | $28.41 |
| 7 | Hca Hospital Services Of San Diego | $57,984 | $27.88 |
| 8 | Baptist Health Home Care | $57,316 | $27.56 |
| 9 | City of Pasadena | $57,267 | $27.53 |
| 10 | Foley Products | $56,312 | $27.07 |
| 11 | Seneca Foods | $56,034 | $26.94 |
| 12 | Freeport-McMoRan | $55,919 | $26.88 |
| 13 | Kinder Morgan | $55,700 | $26.78 |
| 14 | Walsh Electric | $54,569 | $26.24 |
| 15 | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution | $53,926 | $25.93 |
| 16 | Aramark | $53,816 | $25.87 |
| 17 | Calportland | $53,610 | $25.77 |
| 18 | Kiewit | $53,500 | $25.72 |
| 19 | Johns Manville | $53,161 | $25.56 |
| 20 | The Walsh Group | $53,049 | $25.50 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Plant Mechanic salary by industry
The average plant mechanic salary varies across industries:
- The average plant mechanic salary in the utilities industry is $56,394, the highest of any industry.
- The average plant mechanic salary in the finance industry is $52,124.
- Plant mechanics in the automotive industry earn an average salary of $46,244, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for plant mechanics
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Utilities | $56,394 | $27.11 |
| 2 | Construction | $52,124 | $25.06 |
| 3 | Energy | $50,327 | $24.20 |
| 4 | Technology | $48,111 | $23.13 |
| 5 | Transportation | $47,463 | $22.82 |
| 6 | Health Care | $46,823 | $22.51 |
| 7 | Manufacturing | $46,262 | $22.24 |
| 8 | Automotive | $46,244 | $22.23 |
High paying plant mechanic jobs
Plant mechanic salary trends
The average plant mechanic salary has risen by $8,085 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average plant mechanic earned $37,247 annually, but today, they earn $45,332 a year. That works out to a 10% change in pay for plant mechanics over the last decade.
Compare plant mechanic salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average plant mechanic salary over time
Compare plant mechanic salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Plant mechanic salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $45,300 | $21.79 | +3.5% |
| 2025 | $43,700 | $21.02 | +1.8% |
| 2024 | $42,900 | $20.64 | +3.0% |
| 2023 | $41,600 | $20.02 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $41,100 | $19.74 | +3.0% |
Recently added plant mechanic salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titan Materials Group | Plant Mechanic | Bunnell, FL | 06/27/2025 | $55,639 |
| Heidelberg Materials | 006448-Plant Maint Mechanic I | Athens, GA | 06/27/2025 | $47,980 |
| Titan America LLC | Plant Mechanic | Bunnell, FL | 06/26/2025 | $55,639 |
| Pacificorp | Journeyman Plant Mechanic, Kemmerer, WY, #113464 | Wyoming | 06/25/2025 | $113,700 |
| Heidelberg Materials Us, Inc. | 006448-Plant Maint Mechanic I | Athens, GA | 06/24/2025 | $47,980 |
| Rockstar Recruiting | Industrial Plant Mechanic | Lansdale, PA | 06/24/2025 | $63,382 |
| Heidelberg Materials | 006448-Plant Maint Mechanic I (Night Shift) | Bunnlevel, NC | 06/21/2025 | $47,980 |
| Cargill | Plant Mechanic Harvest | Fort Morgan, CO | 06/20/2025 | $54,262 |
| CRH Plc | Asphalt Plant Mechanic | Tulsa, OK | 06/20/2025 | $57,998 |
| Heidelberg Materials Us, Inc. | 006448-Plant Maint Mechanic I (Night Shift) | Bunnlevel, NC | 06/19/2025 | $47,980 |
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