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What does an industrial maintenance technician do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
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.

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Industrial maintenance technician responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real industrial maintenance technician resumes:

  • 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.
  • Install, maintain, and repair CNC machinery and all relate equipment and systems.
  • Connect and wire in VFD motors; inspect to ensure proper function and operation.
  • Repair or replace of such equipment as pulleys, gearboxes, motors, and drives.
  • Maintain web printing press equipment, packaging equipment, facility maintenance- HVAC and electrical control panels.
  • Use sound judgment to deal with and eliminate safety relate issues and adhere to OSHA regulations.
  • Understand, troubleshoot, install and program V.F.D's using operator interface panels & HMI's.
  • Operate heavy machinery, from forklifts, electrical dollies, propane sweepers, and street sweepers.
  • Operate shop tools, including welders, torches, hoists, mills, lathes, plasma cutter.
  • Record all information in CMMS system to keep program update, reliable, and up to date.

Industrial maintenance technician skills and personality traits

We calculated that 21% of Industrial Maintenance Technicians are proficient in Industrial Maintenance, Hand Tools, and PLC. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Manual dexterity, and Troubleshooting skills.

We break down the percentage of Industrial Maintenance Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Industrial Maintenance, 21%

    Provided Delta Chemical with new construction support as an industrial maintenance mechanic.

  • Hand Tools, 6%

    Measured, cut, and bend conduit such as rigid EMT, PVC, and IMC utilizing hand tools and benders.

  • PLC, 6%

    Diagnosed and repaired all types of industrial equipment using specialized experience in electrical and PLC controlled equipment.

  • Plumbing, 3%

    Performed initial setup and installation of impregnation equipment including hydraulic, pneumatic and plumbing systems.

  • Mechanical Equipment, 3%

    Worked with maintenance personnel in operating and maintaining electronic, hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical equipment and components.

  • Electrical Troubleshooting, 3%

    Performed electrical troubleshooting on all machinery.

Most industrial maintenance technicians use their skills in "industrial maintenance," "hand tools," and "plc" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential industrial maintenance technician responsibilities here:

Customer-service skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an industrial maintenance technician to have is customer-service skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "these workers interact with customers on a regular basis." Industrial maintenance technicians often use customer-service skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "hand bent 1/4 inch - 3/4 inch stainless steel tubing from lubrication system to customer equipment. "

Troubleshooting skills. industrial maintenance technicians are also known for troubleshooting skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to industrial maintenance technician responsibilities, because "workers find, diagnose, and repair problems." An industrial maintenance technician resume example shows how troubleshooting skills is used in the workplace: "field technician in basic electrical troubleshooting and repair. "

Dexterity. A big part of what industrial maintenance technicians do relies on "dexterity." You can see how essential it is to industrial maintenance technician responsibilities because "many repair and maintenance tasks, such as repairing small devices, connecting or attaching components, and using hand tools, require a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical industrial maintenance technician tasks: "perform p.m.s on all equipment including air compressors and hydraulic lifts. "

Most common industrial maintenance technician skills

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Industrial Maintenance Technician Resume
Industrial Maintenance Technician Resume

Compare different industrial maintenance technicians

Industrial maintenance technician vs. Maintenance engineer

A 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. They also conduct routine checks, assist clients with technical faults, and ensure that the equipment works safely for certain operations. A maintenance engineer must have excellent knowledge of the mechanical industry to address technical malfunctions immediately.

If we compare the average industrial maintenance technician annual salary with that of a maintenance engineer, we find that maintenance engineers typically earn a $3,516 lower salary than industrial maintenance technicians make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between industrial maintenance technicians and maintenance engineers are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like industrial maintenance, hand tools, and plc.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between industrial maintenance technicians and maintenance engineer. For instance, industrial maintenance technician responsibilities require skills such as "conveyor systems," "production machines," "cranes," and "electrical components." Whereas a maintenance engineer is skilled in "guest rooms," "maintenance tasks," "boilers," and "kitchen equipment." This is part of what separates the two careers.

The education levels that maintenance engineers earn slightly differ from industrial maintenance technicians. In particular, maintenance engineers are 5.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an industrial maintenance technician. Additionally, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Industrial maintenance technician vs. Maintenance operator

Maintenance 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. They must enforce safety rules and regulations and ensure that staff members are following them to prevent accidents in the facility. Maintenance operators must also train maintenance employees in performing proper preventative maintenance.

Maintenance operator positions earn lower pay than industrial maintenance technician roles. They earn a $15,229 lower salary than industrial maintenance technicians per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Industrial maintenance technicians and maintenance operators both require similar skills like "industrial maintenance," "hand tools," and "plc" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that industrial maintenance technician responsibilities requires skills like "production equipment," "conveyor systems," "production machines," and "cranes." But a maintenance operator might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "cdl," "preventative maintenance," "mowing," and "safety procedures."

On average, maintenance operators earn a lower salary than industrial maintenance technicians. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, maintenance operators earn the most pay in the energy industry with an average salary of $41,741. Whereas industrial maintenance technicians have higher pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $53,065.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Maintenance operators tend to reach similar levels of education than industrial maintenance technicians. In fact, they're 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Industrial maintenance technician vs. Maintenance person

The duties of a maintenance person depend on one's line of work or place of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around conducting regular inspections within an establishment, performing necessary repairs and corrective measures on wirings or machines, installing devices, and responding to any inquiries or concerns. Moreover, there are also instances where they have to clean their work areas, organize their tools and equipment, and diagnose issues. Should there be any problems, it is essential to report to the manager or supervisor right away.

An average maintenance person eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of industrial maintenance technicians. The difference in salaries amounts to maintenance people earning a $16,993 lower average salary than industrial maintenance technicians.By looking over several industrial maintenance technicians and maintenance people resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "industrial maintenance," "hand tools," and "plumbing." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, industrial maintenance technicians are more likely to have skills like "plc," "production equipment," "conveyor systems," and "production machines." But a maintenance person is more likely to have skills like "cleanliness," "delivery truck," "light bulbs," and "customer service."

Maintenance people earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $41,323. Comparatively, industrial maintenance technicians have the highest earning potential in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $53,065.Most maintenance people achieve a similar degree level compared to industrial maintenance technicians. For example, they're 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Industrial maintenance technician vs. Plant technician

A plant technician is in charge of overseeing plant operations, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Their responsibilities include installing and upgrading machines and equipment, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of existing systems, implementing solutions to vulnerable or problem areas, and developing strategies to optimize plant operations. They must also perform regular maintenance checks, conducting corrective measures and adjustments as needed. Furthermore, a plant technician must provide technical support to employees, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Plant technicians average a lower salary than the annual salary of industrial maintenance technicians. The difference is about $4,485 per year.While their salaries may vary, industrial maintenance technicians and plant technicians both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "hand tools," "plc," and "mechanical equipment. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "industrial maintenance," "plumbing," "conveyor systems," and "production machines" are skills that commonly show up on industrial maintenance technician resumes. On the other hand, plant technicians use skills like data collection, troubleshoot, math, and plant operations on their resumes.In general, plant technicians earn the most working in the utilities industry, with an average salary of $56,591. The highest-paying industry for an industrial maintenance technician is the manufacturing industry.The average resume of plant technicians showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to industrial maintenance technicians. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 2.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.2%.

Types of industrial maintenance technician

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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