Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of maintenance technicians that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of maintenance technicians:
-
Maintenance Electrician is the highest-paid type of maintenance technician with an average salary of $62,112 and an average hourly rate of $29.86.
-
The second highest-paying type of maintenance technician is electrical maintenance technician, with an average salary of $59,898.
-
The average maintenance technician salary is $43,293 per year, and the average hourly pay is $20.81.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as a maintenance technician, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of maintenance technicians are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of maintenance technicians:
-
Maintenance Electrician
Average Salary: $62,112
A maintenance electrician is responsible for monitoring the electrical systems of a building, inspecting the wiring and cables for any malfunctions, and perform preventive maintenance as needed to ensure its safety and efficiency. Maintenance electricians upgrade electrical network systems for optimal performance and replacing faulty wiring, as well as installing new equipment in the building as the management advises. They also analyze schematics and blueprints for electrical line placements and running diagnostic tests to identify possible defects for immediate resolution. A maintenance electrician must have excellent knowledge of the electrical industry, especially on recording maintenance reports and solutions.
-
Electrical Maintenance Technician
Average Salary: $59,898
An electrical maintenance technician is primarily in charge of installing and repairing electrical systems. Their responsibilities often revolve around liaising with clients to identify their needs, examining electrical damages or defects on houses or establishments, troubleshooting, and performing fixes and replacements as needed. Aside from providing technical support, an electrical maintenance technician may also train junior technicians and monitor their progress. Furthermore, in a company setting, one must conduct regular maintenance checks on electrical systems to ensure a safe and efficient work environment.
-
Operations And Maintenance Technician
Average Salary: $53,680
Operations and maintenance technicians are skilled professionals who are responsible for conducting preventive maintenance of all equipment used in the operation of an organization. These technicians are required to ensure that their facilities are always operational by performing inspections and documenting the operating conditions of their equipment. They must utilize numerous power and hand tools so that they can perform all preventive maintenance and diagnose mechanical problems. Operations and maintenance technicians must also monitor the operation of plan equipment to ensure that employees are following the proper maintenance and safety procedures.
-
Aircraft Maintenance Technician
Average Salary: $53,026
Aircraft Maintenance Technicians make commercial, government/private airplanes, and helicopters safe for their crew and passengers. They ensure that aircrafts meet Federal Aviation Regulations.
-
Senior Maintenance Technician
Average Salary: $51,970
A senior maintenance technician is responsible for the maintenance and repairs of an establishment or household’s electrical and mechanical systems. Senior maintenance technicians handle the installation of ventilation systems, as well as the inspection of equipment and machinery, to ensure optimal performance and efficiency for business operations. They also monitor the adequacy of inventories needed to set up systems and other functionalities. A senior maintenance technician must have excellent organizational and mechanical skills and the ability to follow safety procedures and processes during operations.
Below is a full table of the average pay for various maintenance technician that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Maintenance Technicians
Methodology
Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.
Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for maintenance technicians.
Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Maintenance Technician Jobs FAQs
-
What is the highest-paid maintenance technician job?
The highest-paid maintenance technician job is a maintenance electrician. Maintenance Electricians earn an average salary of $62,112, which is $ 29.86 hourly.
A maintenance electrician is responsible for monitoring the electrical systems of a building, inspecting the wiring and cables for any malfunctions, and perform preventive maintenance as needed to ensure its safety and efficiency. Maintenance electricians upgrade electrical network systems for optimal performance and replacing faulty wiring, as well as installing new equipment in the building as the management advises. They also analyze schematics and blueprints for electrical line placements and running diagnostic tests to identify possible defects for immediate resolution. A maintenance electrician must have excellent knowledge of the electrical industry, especially on recording maintenance reports and solutions.
-
What is a good salary for a maintenance technician?
A good salary for a maintenance technician is $43,293 or more. The average maintenance technician salary is $43,293, so those making at least $43,293 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average maintenance technician salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.
In addition, if you’re just starting your career as a maintenance technician, the average entry level salary is $28,994, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $43,293 average, as this includes all maintenance technicians of all skill and experience levels.
-
Do Maintenance Technician jobs pay well?
No, maintenance technician jobs don’t pay well. As in any industry, some maintenance technician jobs pay better than others, but the average maintenance technician salary of $43,293 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many maintenance technician jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of maintenance technicians earning $61,419 a year on average.
Maintenance Technicians’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as a maintenance technician. Do your research on the going rate for a maintenance technician in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.
-
Where do maintenance technicians get paid the most?
Maintenance Technicians get paid the most in Wisconsin. In Wisconsin, maintenance technicians earn an average annual salary of $50,628 and an average hourly wage of $24.34.
Following WI, the states with the highest-paid maintenance technicians are Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa, with average annual salaries of $51,560, $51,722, and $47,155 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid maintenance technician salaries are:
-
Richmond, CA – $53,436
-
Washington, DC – $52,665
-
Boston, MA – $52,027
-
Author
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.
