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Maintenance controller education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a maintenance controller. Maintenance controllers usually study aviation, automotive technology, or business. 37% of maintenance controllers hold a associate degree, and 34% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 1,043 real maintenance controller resumes to see exactly what maintenance controller education sections show.

The most common colleges for maintenance controllers are the Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

There are also many online maintenance controller courses to help get the education required to be a maintenance controller.

There are certain maintenance controller certifications that you should consider. These maintenance controller certifications include Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) and General Radiotelephone Operator (PG).

What education do you need to become a maintenance controller?

What degree do you need to be a maintenance controller?

The most common degree for maintenance controllers is associate degree, with 37% of maintenance controllers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 34% and bachelor's degree degree at 15%.
  • Associate, 37%
  • Bachelor's, 34%
  • High School Diploma, 15%
  • Diploma, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 9%

What should I major in to become a maintenance controller?

You should major in aviation to become a maintenance controller. 31% of maintenance controllers major in aviation. Other common majors for a maintenance controller include automotive technology and business.

Most common colleges for maintenance controllers

Maintenance controllers often get their degrees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, University of Phoenix, and DeVry University. Here are the most common colleges for maintenance controllers in the US based on their resumes.
Maintenance controller common collegePercentages
Southern Illinois University Carbondale11.76%
University of Phoenix10.59%
DeVry University8.24%
University of the District of Columbia7.06%
Vincennes University5.88%

Best majors for maintenance controllers

Best colleges for maintenance controllers

The best colleges for maintenance controllers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A maintenance controller with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for maintenance controllers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become maintenance controllers.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Enrollment

9,394

2. Siena Heights University

Adrian, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$27,124

Enrollment

2,035

3. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

4. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,570

Enrollment

3,721

5. SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Delhi, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,360

Enrollment

3,142

6. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

7. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Enrollment

33,495

8. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$15,094

Enrollment

32,974

9. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

10. SUNY College of Technology at Canton

Canton, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,389

Enrollment

3,127

20 best online courses for maintenance controllers

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1. Fundamentals of Flight mechanics

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How do planes take off? How do they fly? How do pilots maintain control of them? And how high can airplanes fly? Get answers to all these questions and more with this specialization exploring the fundamentals of flight mechanics. You will learn how the laws of physics apply to airplanes and discover important concepts in aviation including lift, drag, and propulsion...

2. SMP/E for z/OS Workshop

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This course is designed to provide the SMP/E skills needed in the installation and maintenance of optional features and maintenance in the z/OS operating environment. Students are taught to define the SMP/E database and invoke SMP/E to add, modify, or replace system elements. The course includes extensive hands-on labs using a current level of SMP/E. Students will get practical experience in the SMP/E tasks involved in installing a z/OS product. Emphasis is on interpreting results of SMP/E...

3. Maintenance Planning Basics

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4.4
(1,042)

Understanding maintenance planning basics of successful maintenance department...

4. Maintenance Management Basics

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4.4
(632)

Crucial knowledge and practices for successful maintenance department...

5. Flight mechanics - Propulsive balance and energy

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This course is dedicated to energy management, i.e. speed and altitude control. The various sources of drag are first described and modeled, as well as thrust origin, and evolution with speed and altitude. Using these models, we can evaluate the propulsive balance and derive important concepts like flight regimes, best climb speed, or propulsion ceiling. We take then a glance at cruise performances and the evolution of range with weight. This course is a part of the specialization "Fundamentals...

6. SAP Plant Maintenance(PM) Module Online Classes

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4.3
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Functional Module SAP Plant Maintenance(PM) with Configuration...

7. Real World SAP - Plant Maintenance Orders and Notifications

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4.4
(809)

Learn SAP PM / EAM with a focus on real world scenarios...

8. Reliability and Maintenance Engineering - FMEA

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4
(533)

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis - A mechanical engineering approach to risk management of plant and machinery...

9. Airline Operations: Flight Planning and Flight Dispatch

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4.3
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Airline Operations: Master the essentials of aviation - aircraft operational control and dispatch...

10. Garnett Cross Training in the Maintenance of Oil Hydraulics

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4.5
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This course will prepare you to work with hydraulic systems, plan maintenance and perform troubleshooting...

11. Heat Exchangers: Design , Operation & Maintenance

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A complete understanding of construction details , functionning and design of heat exchangers for successful operation...

12. Electronic & Electrical Devices Maintenance & Troubleshooting

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This course will give you everything you need to start playing with electronics components and fix electronic devices...

13. Car Maintenance Anyone Can Do

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4.7
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Learn how to add years of reliable life and service to your car...

14. ComputerCavalry: Slow Computer Repair and PC Maintenance

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4.2
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Is your computer run slow? Take this course and learn how to speed up a slow computer!...

15. Flight Mechanics - From Theory to Certification of Aircraft

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Modeling theory, aircraft 6DOF simulation, flight dynamics, flight simulators and aircraft certification...

16. CMRP Exam Prep. Practice Quiz

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4.4
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Get prepped for the Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional exam quickly using this practice quiz...

17. Part 1 FAA Private Pilot Ground School (Part 61)

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4.6
(731)

Introduction to flight training, Aircraft Structure, Systems and Flight Instruments...

18. Phantom & Mavic Flightschool - flight training & Go4 app

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4.5
(402)

Master your flying skills & the DJI Go flight modes like Tapfly, Active Track, Waypoints, Point of interest & more!...

19. Fundamentals of Electrical Controls

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Learn the parts and wiring techniques used in a motor control installation, become a Controls Electrician...

20. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Fundamentals and Advanced

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Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Mechanics of Airplanes - Aerodynamics, Flight Maneuvers, JET Engines...

Top 10 most affordable universities for maintenance controllers

The most affordable schools for maintenance controllers are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for maintenance controllers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for maintenance controllers.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

4. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

5. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

6. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

7. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

8. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

9. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

10. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for maintenance controllers

The hardest universities for maintenance controllers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for maintenance controllers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for maintenance controllers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

7. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

8. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

9. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

10. Baylor University

Waco, TX • Private

Admissions rate

39%

SAT average

1,307

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for maintenance controllers

The easiest schools for maintenance controllers to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and notre dame college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a maintenance controller without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for maintenance controllers.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

3. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

4. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

5. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

6. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

7. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

8. Lewis-Clark State College

Lewiston, ID • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,009

9. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

10. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

Average maintenance controller salary by education level

According to our data, maintenance controllers with a Bachelor's degree earn the highest average salary, at $83,286 annually. Maintenance controllers with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $73,300.
Maintenance controller education levelMaintenance controller salary
High School Diploma or Less$71,195
Bachelor's Degree$83,286
Some College/ Associate Degree$73,300

Maintenance controller education FAQs

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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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