Best Jobs For Former Maintenance Technicians [2026]

Top Career Paths for Former Maintenance Technicians in 2026

In 2026, many maintenance technicians continue to face challenges in their profession, leading to a decline in confidence and interest in staying within this field.

Despite steady enrollment in training programs for maintenance technicians, the number of applicants has decreased, resulting in a concerning trend for the workforce.

This raises an important question:

What career paths are former maintenance technicians pursuing now?

To find out, we analyzed the resumes of former maintenance technicians to identify their next career moves. After reviewing thousands of resumes, we compiled a list of the top 100 jobs they transitioned into.

Given the intriguing nature of this data, we’re highlighting several noteworthy career options.

Top Career Options for Former Maintenance Technicians

While the appeal of these roles varies, they certainly offer intriguing opportunities for those transitioning from maintenance technician positions.

Explore the full list of these jobs below.

Detailed Ranking of the Most Common Jobs for Former Maintenance Technicians

Rank	Job Title	%
1	Maintenance Supervisor	3.43%
2	Service Technician	1.5%
3	Technician	1.48%
4	Field Service Technician	1.35%
5	Maintenance Manager	1.26%
6	Mechanic	1.14%
7	Electrician	0.96%
8	Welder	0.95%
9	Machine Operator	0.82%
10	Electronics Technician	0.72%
11	HVAC Technician	0.69%
12	Supervisor	0.67%
13	Owner/Operator	0.66%
14	Engineering Technician	0.66%
15	Millwright	0.61%
16	Maintenance Engineer	0.58%
17	Owner	0.57%
18	Mechanical Technician	0.55%
19	Truck Driver	0.51%
20	Maintenance Director	0.49%
21	Facilities Manager	0.46%
22	Customer Service Representative	0.46%
23	Driver	0.45%
24	Project Manager	0.44%
25	Forklift Operator	0.42%
26	Handyman	0.41%
27	Building Engineer	0.4%
28	Team Leader	0.4%
29	Security Officer	0.39%
30	Maintenance Electrician	0.39%
31	Maintenance Worker	0.39%
32	Controls Technician	0.38%
33	Manager	0.38%
34	Sales Associate	0.37%
35	Operations Manager	0.36%
36	Electrical Technician	0.36%
37	Carpenter	0.35%
38	Engineer	0.35%
39	Chief Engineer	0.34%
40	Maintenance Technician Supervisor	0.34%
41	Lead Technician	0.34%
42	Assembler	0.33%
43	Installation Technician	0.33%
44	Operator	0.31%
45	Senior Maintenance Technician	0.31%
46	Machinist	0.31%
47	Facility Maintenance Technician	0.31%
48	Material Handler	0.3%
49	Plumber	0.29%
50	Maintenance Lead Person	0.28%
51	Repair Technician	0.28%
52	Equipment Operator	0.28%
53	Manufacturing Engineer	0.27%
54	Facilities Technician	0.27%
55	Specialist	0.26%
56	Service Manager	0.26%
57	Production Supervisor	0.25%
58	Manufacturing Technician	0.25%
59	Instrument Technician	0.25%
60	Maintenance Planner	0.24%
61	Warehouse Worker	0.24%
62	Stationary Engineer	0.24%
63	Assistant Manager	0.24%
64	Controls Engineer	0.23%
65	Delivery Driver	0.23%
66	Refrigeration Technician	0.22%
67	Field Technician	0.22%
68	Plant Operator	0.22%
69	Sales Representative	0.22%
70	Maintenance Specialist	0.22%
71	Installer	0.21%
72	Foreman	0.2%
73	Painter	0.2%
74	Custodian	0.2%
75	CNC Machinist	0.2%
76	Industrial Maintenance Technician	0.19%
77	Process Technician	0.19%
78	Self-Employed	0.19%
79	Warehouse Associate	0.19%
80	Maintenance Coordinator	0.18%
81	Sheet Metal Mechanic	0.18%
82	Assembly Technician	0.18%
83	Diesel Mechanic	0.17%
84	General Contractor	0.17%
85	Welder Fitter	0.17%
86	Lead Mechanic	0.17%
87	Mechanical Engineer	0.17%
88	Boiler Operator	0.17%
89	HVAC Mechanic	0.16%
90	General Manager	0.16%
91	Equipment Technician	0.16%
92	Mechanical Assembler	0.16%
93	Automotive Technician	0.16%
94	Industrial Electrician	0.16%
95	Production Manager	0.16%
96	Operations Technician	0.16%
97	Senior Technologist	0.16%
98	Journeyman Electrician	0.16%
99	Laboratory Technician	0.16%
100	Heavy Equipment Operator	0.16%

Most Common Jobs for Former Maintenance Technicians

These occupations not only leverage the skills of former maintenance technicians but also serve as viable stepping stones to diverse careers.

How We Identified the Best Jobs for Former Maintenance Technicians

Utilizing data from our extensive database of over 7 million resumes, we examined all records that listed maintenance technician in their work history. We then identified the roles that appeared most frequently in their subsequent job histories, establishing an initial ranked list.

To curate our list of the most interesting jobs, we sifted through the ranked data to find positions that:

Appeared in fewer than 1% of all new job listings
Were not included in the top 100 most common jobs in our database

In conclusion, the labor market for maintenance technicians continues to evolve, and a range of exciting new opportunities are available for those looking to transition into different roles. The skills acquired in maintenance work can lead to rewarding careers in various fields, making it essential for former technicians to explore their options.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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