How to hire an installation & maintenance technician

How to hire an installation & maintenance technician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step installation & 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 installation & maintenance technician job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new installation & maintenance technician
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an installation & 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?

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   An installation & maintenance technician's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, installation & maintenance technicians from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents installation & maintenance technician salaries for various positions.

   Type of Installation & Maintenance Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Installation & Maintenance Technician	General 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.	$15-27
   Field Technician	A field technician is responsible for providing technical and maintenance support for the customers by area visits. Field technicians' duties include diagnosing technical problems, replacing malfunction components, upgrading systems for efficiency, running equipment tests to ensure stability, creating draft reports of performed processes, utilizing vehicles and other tools safely, following client's specifications on operating equipment, and adhering to the safety standards... Show more	$13-23
   Maintenance Helper	A maintenance helper performs basic support tasks to assist maintenance technicians in installing and repairing machines and equipment. Their responsibilities typically include gathering and handing tools, changing fixtures such as light bulbs and faucets, preparing workspaces, and cleaning work areas and equipment... Show more	$11-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • HVAC
   • Equipment Installation
   • Test Equipment
   • Fiber Optic
   • Telephone Services
   • Preventive Maintenance
   • Trouble Tickets
   • IP
   • Structured Cabling
   • RF
   • General Maintenance
   • Electrical Equipment
   • VoIP
   • RAN

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead programming, downloading, testing, installation, and staff training of POS equipment and software.
   • Install, manage, and troubleshoot CAT3, CAT5, CAT6, and fiber optic infrastructures throughout the greater Tulsa area.
   • Train in VOIP (voice over ip) installation.
   • Chase building conversion from digital PBX to Cisco Voice-Over-IP (VoIP).
   • Maintain the Nortel DMS 250/100 switch, Alcatel 1631 and Centest 650,550.
   • Install and repair VOIP in residences and businesses locations.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your installation & maintenance technician job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An installation & maintenance technician salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, installation & maintenance technicians' average salary in mississippi is 46% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level installation & maintenance technicians earn 44% less than senior-level installation & maintenance technicians.
   • Certifications. An installation & maintenance technician with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an installation & maintenance technician's salary.

   Average installation & maintenance technician salary

   $43,321yearly

   $20.83 hourly rate

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   Entry-level installation & maintenance technician salary

   $32,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 9, 2026

4. Writing an installation & maintenance technician job description

   An installation & 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 installation & maintenance technician job description:

   Installation & maintenance technician job description example

   Classification: Non-Exempt/Non-Bargaining
   
   Using intermediate/advanced level of knowledge to perform all work functions related to the installation, service, and maintenance of voice, and/or data equipment and services from the Central Office to both Residential and business customer premises. Platform for delivery of services may be Fiber or Copper.
   
   Responsibilities
   
   With limited supervision, perform work involving the installation, service, maintenance, and repair of both inside and outside plant, voice, and data communications services.
   
   Drives company vehicle to work site or other locations within service area.
   
   Participates in rotational "primary on call" responsibility, accepting and responding to after-hours customer trouble report and installation requirements. Will be required to work overtime based on business needs. Will be required to respond during emergency situations even when not on call.
   
   Using general knowledge is proficient in the use of test equipment including the Optical Power Meter, Fluke volt/ohm meter, Telephone Test Set, Toners, OTDR/TDR and Underground Cable Locator, Lenovo laptop, JDSU.
   
   Is certified to use ladders.
   
   Adheres to company safety policies and practices. Attends required safety and training classes, and maintains a satisfactory safety record.
   
   Reports to work on time and maintains a satisfactory attendance record.
   
   Qualifications
   
   Technical/Professional Knowledge: Knowledge of equipment and steps related to the installation service and maintenance of voice, and/or data at customer sites. Must possess good organizational skills and be able to communicate clearly and effectively with co-workers and the general public. Must maintain a neat appearance in accordance with Company policy. Ability to learn quickly.
   
   Training preferred: PC Proficiency with Microsoft products in windows-based application.
   
   Work experience: 0-1 year of applicable installation and maintenance experience and some prior exposure to the telecommunications or cable industry preferred.
   
   License required: A valid driver's license and a satisfactory driving record is required. A DOT physical will be required for technicians driving trucks that are over 10,001 GVW.
   
   General education or equivalent: High school diploma or equivalent, (GED). Associates degree preferred.
   
   Benefits Offered
   
   We are proud to offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package:
   
   * 401(k) matching
   * Medical, Rx, Dental and Vision insurance
   * Disability insurance
   * Flexible spending account
   * Health savings account
   * Life insurance
   * Tuition reimbursement
   * Paid vacation and personal days
   * Paid holidays
   * Employee Assistance Program
   * Annual bonus program to eligible employee's based upon organization performance
   
   Other Information
   
   Pursuant to the State Fair Pay Act, below is a summary of compensation elements for this role at the company if based in the following locations (commensurate with skills and experience):
   
   Colorado Salary Range: ($36,267 - $54,973)
   
   Physical Demands: Significant time is spent standing, walking, bending, stooping, crouching, and using ladders and other related equipment. Lifting up to 100 pounds, occasionally above shoulder required. Use of computers and computer-related equipment required. This position also involves fine hand coordination. Must be able to discern dial tone and static on telephone lines. Must be able to discern hazardous materials and have depth perception to climb ladders. Must be able to discern color coded cables and fiber optics. Must be able to carry on telephone and radio conversations. Must have the ability to access, input and retrieve information from the computer. Employees cannot exceed the manufacturers' weight limitation for the equipment required to perform the duties and responsibilities of this job. Must be able to access utility poles, underground vaults.
   
   Environmental Conditions: Work is split about equally between indoors, in air-conditioned/heated areas, with exposure to low noise levels; and outdoors in conditions of possible extreme cold, heat or humidity; and in dusty, dirty conditions with inadequate lighting and cramped space. Possible exposure to hazards such as electrical shock and falls and atmospheric conditions of fumes, dust, and odors
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer
   
   All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, familial status, genetics, disability, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

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5. Post your job

   To find installation & maintenance technicians for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any installation & maintenance technicians they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level installation & maintenance technicians with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your installation & maintenance technician job on Zippia to find and recruit installation & maintenance technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting installation & 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 installation & maintenance technician

   Once you've found the installation & maintenance technician candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

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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