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Industrial machinery assembler

Also called sub assembler, final assembler, assembly worker

Industrial machinery assemblers manufacture industrial equipment such as industrial robots, assembly line machines, and labeling machines. They use hand tools and computer-controlled machines.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospectsShortage in 11 countries now. 30 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.AssemblersWhat does it pay?Below averageFrom about €1,000 (Bulgaria) to €5,200 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · AssemblersWhat do I need to study?Upper secondary or vocational7 in 10 finished upper secondary or vocational training. 6 in 10 train through vocational routes.AssemblersWill AI change it?LittleLevel 2 of 6. AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.Mechanical machinery assemblers · ILO

What you'd do

Mechanical machinery assemblers · ILO
  • Assembling and installing prefabricated parts or components to form subassemblies, mechanical machinery, engines and finished motor vehicles
  • Reviewing work orders, specifications, diagrams and drawings to determine materials needed and assembly instructions
  • Recording production and operational data on specified forms
  • Inspecting and testing completed components and assemblies
  • Rejecting faulty assemblies and components
Operate welding equipmentAssemble machinesInstall machineryMaintain industrial equipmentPerform test run+ 5 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Lots of contact with people, mostly with colleagues
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Usually 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines every day
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Team Assemblers"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

11 EU countries are short of mechanical machinery assemblers now, and a typical number of jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as assemblers in the EU
1.55m1.68m1.81m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
105,000 new jobs 407,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Assemblers30
All jobs29
Right now
11 of 27 countries report a shortage of mechanical machinery assemblers, 5 a surplus.
Mechanical machinery assemblers · EURES

What does it pay?

Below average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,000 a month (Bulgaria) to €5,200 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among plant and machine operators, and assemblers in the EU, women earn 21% less per hour than men. Plant and machine operators, and assemblers · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Upper secondary or vocational

Upper secondary or vocational training in mechanics and metal trades is the usual route.

Highest qualification of assemblers (EU, 2025)
Degree 9%Vocational 57%General secondary 10%Basic schooling 24%
Field that teaches it
Mechanics and metal trades
Vocational route, EU
6 in 10 trainees in this field

Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Little

AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.27 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 5 tasks
Recording production and operational data on specified forms0.56
Reviewing work orders, specifications, diagrams and drawings to determine materials needed and assembly instructions0.28
Inspecting and testing completed components and assemblies0.22
Assembling and installing prefabricated parts or components to form subassemblies, mechanical machinery, engines and finished motor vehicles0.14
Rejecting faulty assemblies and components0.14

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for mechanical machinery assemblers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).