greaser
Role lens
Keep vital machinery running smoothly as a greaser! This skilled trade involves ensuring proper lubrication and performing essential maintenance, contributing directly to operational efficiency in various industries.
As a greaser, your days are spent maintaining industrial equipment and machinery. You’ll identify lubrication needs, apply grease and oils using specialized tools like grease guns, and conduct basic repairs to prevent breakdowns and extend equipment lifespan. The work often involves a physical role, requiring attention to detail and a commitment to safety protocols. You’ll be crucial in ensuring continuous operations across manufacturing plants, construction sites, and other industrial settings.
- • Applying lubricants (grease, oil) to machinery components using grease guns and other tools.
- • Inspecting equipment for wear and tear and identifying potential maintenance needs.
- • Performing basic repairs and adjustments, such as tightening bolts and replacing worn parts.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Metal, machinery and related trades workers — 106 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia and 12 more.
Longest-running shortage: Austria, 4 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
Explore More
Find your career path and explore the science behind our recommendations.
Could greaser fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
Do you enjoy tasks that require Attention to Detail?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Dependability?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Integrity?
Future Outlook for greaser
The outlook for greaser reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could greaser change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could greaser change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- wear appropriate protective gear
- secure working area
- troubleshoot
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- operate grease gun
- clean up spilled oil
- work safely with machines
Tasks most exposed to automation
No single task here is highly automatable yet.
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Advanced Manufacturing
A typical day as a greaser
09 09:00 · Morning conduct routine machinery checks
10 10:30 · Mid-morning operate grease gun
12 12:00 · Midday secure working area
14 14:00 · Afternoon clean up spilled oil
15 15:30 · Late afternoon maintain machinery
17 17:00 · Wrap-up troubleshoot
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
-
industrial tools
The tools and equipment used for industrial purposes, both power and hand tools, and their various uses.
- types of lubricants
- technical drawings
-
maintain machinery
Maintain machinery and equipment in order to ensure that it is clean and in safe, working order. Perform routine maintenance on equipment and adjust or repair when necessary, using hand and power tools. Replace defective parts components or systems.
-
conduct routine machinery checks
Check machinery and equipment to ensure reliable performance during use and operations in worksites.
-
operate grease gun
Use a grease gun loaded with oil to lubricate industrial machinery in order to ensure proper operations.
-
troubleshoot
Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
-
work safely with machines
Check and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.
-
wear appropriate protective gear
Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
-
secure working area
Secure the operation site fixing boundaries, restricting access, placing signs and taking other measures in order to guarantee public and staff safety.
-
clean up spilled oil
Safely clean up and dispose of spilled oil.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
See whether this role fits your Career DNA
Take the free Career DNA assessment to see how greaser aligns with your interests, work style, and future path. In less than 10 minutes, you will get a personalized fit signal and a roadmap for what to do next.
Scan to continue on mobileGrowth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does greaser fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What industries typically hire greasers?
- Greasers are employed across a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, construction, mining, transportation, and energy. Any facility with heavy machinery or equipment will likely need greasers to maintain operational efficiency.
- Is there a formal apprenticeship program to become a greaser?
- While a formal apprenticeship isn't always required, many greasers gain experience through on-the-job training or vocational programs. Some employers may prefer candidates with prior mechanical experience or a related technical qualification.
- Can I start my own greasing business?
- Yes! Many greasers choose to become self-employed, offering their services to multiple clients. This allows for greater flexibility and control over your work schedule and rates, but requires business acumen and strong client management skills.
- Greaser — is there a shortage in Europe?
- Yes. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a shortage was reported in 16 of the 19 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia and 12 more. Austria has reported one for 4 consecutive years. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Greaser — what does it pay in the United States?
- $60,500 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $36,240 to $84,620. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.