These are the civilian jobs the U.S. Department of Labor maps to MM, plus the roles most closely related to them—ordered from the closest match. Think of them as a floor, not a ceiling: see what each role involves and pays, start where your Machinist's Mate experience already fits, and build toward the rest.
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
$46,700/yr mediantypical $31k–$73k~1.5M U.S. jobs
★ Bright Outlook — many openings
Typical entry: Associate degree, apprenticeship, or vocational training
Perform work involving the skills of two or more maintenance or craft occupations to keep machines, mechanical equipment, or the structure of a building in repair.
Why it fits: A direct Department of Labor match—your Machinist's Mate work maps straight onto the maintenance, repair & installation side of this role.
Ship Engineers
$94,270/yr mediantypical $57k–$142k~9K U.S. jobs
Typical entry: Associate degree, apprenticeship, or vocational training
Supervise and coordinate activities of crew engaged in operating and maintaining engines, boilers, deck machinery, and electrical, sanitary, and refrigeration equipment aboard ship.
Why it fits: A direct Department of Labor match—your Machinist's Mate work maps straight onto the transportation & logistics side of this role.
Millwrights
$62,980/yr mediantypical $43k–$83k~38K U.S. jobs
Typical entry: High-school diploma plus short on-the-job training
Install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, or other drawings.
Why it fits: Closely related to your Machinist's Mate occupations on the maintenance, repair & installation side—a natural next step.
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
$61,240/yr mediantypical $40k–$93k~30K U.S. jobs
Typical entry: High-school diploma plus short on-the-job training
Assemble, fit, fasten, and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles, or missiles, such as tails, wings, fuselage, bulkheads, stabilizers, landing gear, rigging and control equipment, or heating…
Why it fits: Closely related to your Machinist's Mate occupations on the manufacturing & production side—a natural next step.
Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
$97,010/yr mediantypical $54k–$123k~31K U.S. jobs
Typical entry: Associate degree, apprenticeship, or vocational training
Monitor and control activities associated with hydropower generation.
Why it fits: Closely related to your Machinist's Mate occupations on the manufacturing & production side—a natural next step.
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
$61,550/yr mediantypical $39k–$103k~436K U.S. jobs
★ Bright Outlook — Rapid growth
Typical entry: Associate degree, apprenticeship, or vocational training
Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases.
Why it fits: Closely related to your Machinist's Mate occupations on the construction & skilled trades side—a natural next step.
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
$61,900/yr mediantypical $43k–$86k~177K U.S. jobs
★ Bright Outlook — Rapid growth
Typical entry: Associate degree, apprenticeship, or vocational training
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, and conveyors, used in construction, logging, and mining.
Why it fits: Closely related to your Machinist's Mate occupations on the maintenance, repair & installation side—a natural next step.
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
$36,710/yr mediantypical $27k–$53k~102K U.S. jobs
Typical entry: High-school diploma plus short on-the-job training
Help installation, maintenance, and repair workers in maintenance, parts replacement, and repair of vehicles, industrial machinery, and electrical and electronic equipment.
Why it fits: Closely related to your Machinist's Mate occupations on the maintenance, repair & installation side—a natural next step.
