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How to hire an industrial maintenance technician

Industrial maintenance technician hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring industrial maintenance technicians in the United States:

  • HR departments typically spend 15% of their expenses on recruitment.
  • It usually takes about 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • It typically takes 36-42 days to fill a job opening.
  • The median cost to hire an industrial maintenance technician is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend an average of $1,105 per industrial maintenance technician on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • There are currently 571,761 industrial maintenance technicians in the US and 169,569 job openings.
  • Phoenix, AZ, has the highest demand for industrial maintenance technicians, with 11 job openings.
  • Mount Olive, NC has the highest concentration of industrial maintenance technicians.

How to hire an industrial maintenance technician, step by step

To hire an industrial maintenance technician, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire an industrial maintenance technician:

Here's a step-by-step industrial maintenance technician hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write an industrial maintenance technician job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new industrial maintenance technician
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an industrial maintenance technician do?

An industrial maintenance technician is responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing commercial and industrial machinery in a building or a manufacturing plant. You will perform typical duties that include ensuring all machines function properly through preventative maintenance service, conducting tests to ensure production machinery functions properly, and performing safety checks and routine maintenance. Other duties include collaborating with the production team, preparing maintenance reports, and instructing and guiding new employees. An industrial maintenance technician also assesses the machinery's functionality and fabricates parts for machine upgrades and repair.

Learn more about the specifics of what an industrial maintenance technician does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring an industrial maintenance technician, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them an industrial maintenance technician to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire an industrial maintenance technician that fits the bill.

    Here's a comparison of industrial maintenance technician salaries for various roles:

    Type of Industrial Maintenance TechnicianDescriptionHourly rate
    Industrial Maintenance TechnicianGeneral maintenance and repair workers fix and maintain machines, mechanical equipment, and buildings. They paint, repair flooring, and work on plumbing, electrical, and air-conditioning and heating systems.$18-31
    Maintenance EngineerA maintenance engineer is responsible for the maintenance of industrial machinery and inspects equipment defects for immediate troubleshooting or replacement as needed. Maintenance engineers install and upgrade system components to improve system optimization and perform diagnostic systems to locate any adjustments... Show more$13-35
    Maintenance OperatorMaintenance operators are skilled technicians who use a variety of small equipment and tools to perform and assist in the maintenance activities of a business establishment. These operators are required to assist the equipment manager in preparing preventative maintenance procedures so that they can increase productivity and reduce downtime of equipment... Show more$12-22
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Industrial Maintenance
    • Hand Tools
    • PLC
    • Plumbing
    • Mechanical Equipment
    • Electrical Troubleshooting
    • Production Equipment
    • Electrical Systems
    • Conveyor Systems
    • Ladders
    • Production Machines
    • Cranes
    • HVAC
    • Mechanical Systems
    Check all skills
    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.
    • Operate MIG welder to perform abnormal repairs where necessary.
    • Stoop, climb ladders and lift heavy loads during function of duties.
    More industrial maintenance technician duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your industrial maintenance technician job description helps attract top candidates to the position. An industrial maintenance technician salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

    For example, the average salary for an industrial maintenance technician in South Dakota may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level industrial maintenance technician usually earns less than a senior-level industrial maintenance technician. Additionally, an industrial maintenance technician with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

    Average industrial maintenance technician salary

    $50,649yearly

    $24.35 hourly rate

    Entry-level industrial maintenance technician salary
    $38,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 14, 2025

    Average industrial maintenance technician salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$61,046$29
    2Washington$60,018$29
    3Illinois$54,797$26
    4Colorado$53,707$26
    5Pennsylvania$52,178$25
    6Virginia$51,800$25
    7Texas$50,802$24
    8Wisconsin$50,510$24
    9Kentucky$50,218$24
    10Arizona$50,201$24
    11Ohio$49,696$24
    12Minnesota$49,533$24
    13Indiana$48,464$23
    14Georgia$47,924$23
    15Oregon$47,902$23
    16Missouri$47,120$23
    17North Carolina$47,067$23
    18Iowa$47,056$23
    19Tennessee$46,534$22
    20Kansas$45,887$22

    Average industrial maintenance technician salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Boehringer Ingelheim$75,627$36.363
    2CertainTeed$75,228$36.17
    3Baker Hughes$65,977$31.724
    4Shearer's Foods$63,312$30.4413
    5General Electric$62,660$30.1338
    6GILLIG$62,167$29.891
    7Nikola Motor$61,920$29.77
    8Nomaco$61,877$29.75
    9Pentair$61,422$29.535
    10Nestlé$61,181$29.41105
    11Schreiber Foods$61,061$29.3613
    12fathom$60,643$29.16
    13Sonoco$60,588$29.1331
    14Wayfair$60,305$28.999
    15Blessing Hospital Emergency Room$59,703$28.70
    16Leviton$59,591$28.653
    17IDEX$59,479$28.609
    18Ken's Foods$59,438$28.584
    19ABB$59,262$28.4912
    20fairlife$59,135$28.4312
  4. Writing an industrial maintenance technician job description

    An industrial maintenance technician job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of an industrial maintenance technician job description:

    Industrial maintenance technician job description example

    Hourly range $18.00-$23.00

    Schedule/Hours: Monday-Friday 11:00am-7:30pm - opportunity for overtime

    The job functions of the Industrial Maintenance Technician include, but are not limited to, the following:

    Maintain a clean workstation and follow all safety requirements.

    Perform duties in a standing position for extended periods.

    May require lifting, pushing, pulling, and moving material and/or product that weighs ≤ 40 pounds, no ≥ 40 inches.

    Perform task and repairs frequently at heights ≥ 33 feet.

    Perform repetitive motion activities as required to support Distribution operations.

    Reach, push, pull, grasp, handle, bend, lean, stoop, squat, twist, stretch and work in awkward positions to perform required maintenance on equipment, machine set-up, and material movement and handling.

    Ascending and descending stairs frequently to support production.

    Read, understand and assume responsibility for performance of all procedures, assignments, notices and policies applicable to assigned area and common areas, including posted notices.

    The responsibilities of the Industrial Maintenance Techncians include, but are not limited to, the following:

    Follow instructions provided by Engineering Specialist, or Department Supervisor, in assigned area of operation.

    Provide front line maintenance.

    Provide preventative and scheduled maintenance.

    Work closely with the equipment operators in establishing the proper operation machines when maintenance is required.

    Required to work without supervision.

    Actively participate in the training, coaching, and the development of maintenance staff, and operators.

    Communicate effectively and respectfully with co-workers, management and department employees.

    Assist in training other employees.

    Perform other duties as assigned.

    Qualifications

    A minimum high school diploma, or equivalent. A technical degree is preferred. Experience may be substituted in place of education with approval based on the quality, and experience, relating to the specific area of specialty.

    This position requires superior trouble-shooting skills for mechanical, electrical / electronic, and pneumatic systems. Experience as a Industrial Mainteance Technician for two years, is preferred. Must be capable of working without supervision. Proven proficiency and efficiency in dealing with complex issues and must be a positive leader dedicated to the training and needs of others.

    Sixty (60) days on-the-job training under the direct supervision of an Engineering Specialist, or Department Supervisor.

    In-house lock out tag out training.

    Power Industrial Truck (PIT) certification may be required and must be maintained.

    Additional training requirements needs are assessed during an annual performance evaluation.



    Additional Information

    TECHNICOLOR IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

    Technicolor complies with all Federal, State and Local law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, medical condition (including genetic characteristics), mental and/or physical disability or handicap, marital status, sex, age, veteran status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, familial status, registered domestic partner status, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions and any other characteristic or activity protected by federal, state or local law.

  5. Post your job

    To find the right industrial maintenance technician for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with industrial maintenance technicians they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit industrial maintenance technicians who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your industrial maintenance technician job on Zippia to find and recruit industrial maintenance technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting industrial maintenance technicians requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new industrial maintenance technician

    Once you've selected the best industrial maintenance technician candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

    It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new industrial maintenance technician. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire an industrial maintenance technician?

Recruiting industrial maintenance technicians involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

You can expect to pay around $50,649 per year for an industrial maintenance technician, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for industrial maintenance technicians in the US typically range between $18 and $31 an hour.

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