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What is an industrial maintenance technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
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An industrial maintenance technician handles the upkeep and repair of machinery, equipment, and systems in manufacturing plants, factories, and industrial settings. They troubleshoot problems, perform routine maintenance, and conduct repairs for efficient operations. Industrial maintenance technicians use tools and techniques, including electrical and mechanical systems, computer systems, welding equipment, and hand tools. They must have knowledge of safety regulations and be able to work independently or as part of a team.

ScoreIndustrial Maintenance TechnicianUS Average
Salary
4.0

Avg. Salary $50,649

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.6

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.6
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.18%

Asian 4.66%

Black or African American 11.67%

Hispanic or Latino 14.57%

Unknown 4.28%

White 63.65%

Gender

female 3.52%

male 96.48%

Age - 49
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 49
Stress level
7.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.3

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.1

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an industrial maintenance technician?

Pros

  • Job security

  • Good salary and benefits

  • Collaboration with other technicians and departments

  • Opportunities for advancement and specialization

  • Varied job duties keep work interesting

Cons

  • Work may involve being on-call or working long hours

  • Stressful situations when equipment malfunctions

  • Work may require travel or relocation

  • High-pressure environment with tight deadlines

  • Limited job growth in some industries

Industrial maintenance technician career paths

Key steps to become an industrial maintenance technician

  1. Explore industrial maintenance technician education requirements

    Most common industrial maintenance technician degrees

    Associate

    41.9 %

    High School Diploma

    23.3 %

    Diploma

    15.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific industrial maintenance technician skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Industrial Maintenance21.16%
    Hand Tools6.13%
    PLC5.64%
    Plumbing2.91%
    Mechanical Equipment2.84%
  3. Complete relevant industrial maintenance technician training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New industrial maintenance technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an industrial maintenance technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real industrial maintenance technician resumes.
  4. Gain additional industrial maintenance technician certifications

    Industrial maintenance technician certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific industrial maintenance technician certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for industrial maintenance technicians include EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA) and Certified Maintenance Technician (CMT).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research industrial maintenance technician duties and responsibilities

    • Manage and maintain CNC machines and auto blasting equipment as well as auxiliary equipment.
    • Manage inventory of electrical components and HVAC filters.
    • Remove defective parts by dismantling machines or the components of, using hoists, cranes, hand and power tools.
    • Stick welding, TIG welding and MIG welding.
  6. Prepare your industrial maintenance technician resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your industrial maintenance technician resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an industrial maintenance technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable industrial maintenance technician resume templates

    Build a professional industrial maintenance technician resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your industrial maintenance technician resume.
    Industrial Maintenance Technician Resume
    Industrial Maintenance Technician Resume
    Industrial Maintenance Technician Resume
    Industrial Maintenance Technician Resume
    Industrial Maintenance Technician Resume
    Industrial Maintenance Technician Resume
    Industrial Maintenance Technician Resume
    Industrial Maintenance Technician Resume
    Industrial Maintenance Technician Resume
  7. Apply for industrial maintenance technician jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an industrial maintenance technician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first industrial maintenance technician job

Zippi

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Average industrial maintenance technician salary

The average industrial maintenance technician salary in the United States is $50,649 per year or $24 per hour. Industrial maintenance technician salaries range between $38,000 and $66,000 per year.

Average industrial maintenance technician salary
$50,649 Yearly
$24.35 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do industrial maintenance technicians rate their job?

4/5

Based on 2 ratings

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Industrial maintenance technician reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

Working with the latest industrial electronic technology and troubleshooting old and new electrical equipment and controls, especially networking. Life long career with multtype of electronics and electrical.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2020
Pros

Flexibility

Cons

I have more to offer than n various task. My resume spells out my duties.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020
Pros

Challenging, technical, always something new, part of a team.

Cons

The hours, the low pay, high expectations to perform and exceed, expectation to always be on call, low budget for repairs.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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