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How to hire a plant and maintenance technician

Plant and maintenance technician hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring plant and maintenance technicians in the United States:

  • The median cost to hire a plant and maintenance technician is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per plant and maintenance technician on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • There are a total of 505,415 plant and maintenance technicians in the US, and there are currently 169,743 job openings in this field.
  • New Miami, OH, has the highest demand for plant and maintenance technicians, with 9 job openings.

How to hire a plant and maintenance technician, step by step

To hire a plant and 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 a plant and maintenance technician:

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

What does a plant and maintenance technician do?

Plant and Maintenance Technicians are responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing plant equipment and related facilities. Their duties include conducting preventive maintenance, documenting plant function records, organizing preventive maintenance schedules, and performing routine inspections. They are responsible for carrying out a performance test, troubleshooting plant equipment issues, and installing plant equipment and piping systems. Plant and Maintenance Technicians also maintain operational records, interpret blueprints, and operate heavy equipment such as cranes and forklifts. They ensure work practices comply with health and safety regulations.

Learn more about the specifics of what a plant and maintenance technician does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The plant and maintenance technician hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

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

    A plant and maintenance technician's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, plant and 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 plant and maintenance technician salaries for various positions.

    Type of Plant And Maintenance TechnicianDescriptionHourly rate
    Plant And 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.$18-30
    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 HelperA 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
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Perform Routine Maintenance
    • Industrial Maintenance
    • Preventive Maintenance
    • Plumbing
    • Routine Maintenance
    • Production Equipment
    • Safety Procedures
    • Hand Tools
    • Ladders
    • OSHA
    • Plant Equipment
    • Electrical Systems
    • PLC
    • Loaders
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Perform and manage routine building maintenance tasks, including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and general maintenance.
    • Diagnose PLC unit, drives, and sensors throughout the plant.
    • Receive training and OSHA certification in confine space entry.
    • Adjust conveyor lines by modifying Allen Bradley PLC parameters.
    • Work involves climbing ladders, stairs and use of safety harnesses.
    • Repair and maintain equipment such as forklifts, HVAC systems and refrigeration systems.
    More plant and maintenance technician duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your plant and maintenance technician job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A plant and maintenance technician can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, plant and maintenance technicians' average salary in oklahoma is 41% less than in district of columbia.
    • Seniority. Entry-level plant and maintenance technicians 38% less than senior-level plant and maintenance technicians.
    • Certifications. A plant and maintenance technician with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a plant and maintenance technician's salary.

    Average plant and maintenance technician salary

    $50,088yearly

    $24.08 hourly rate

    Entry-level plant and maintenance technician salary
    $39,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 15, 2025

    Average plant and maintenance technician salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$57,892$28
    2Utah$57,291$28
    3Iowa$55,979$27
    4Delaware$53,443$26
    5Washington$53,414$26
    6Indiana$52,764$25
    7Tennessee$52,215$25
    8Colorado$50,846$24
    9Kansas$49,699$24
    10Ohio$49,527$24
    11New York$49,195$24
    12Georgia$49,141$24
    13West Virginia$47,197$23
    14Michigan$47,096$23
    15South Dakota$44,624$21
    16North Carolina$44,564$21
    17Pennsylvania$44,135$21
    18North Dakota$43,956$21
    19Virginia$43,402$21
    20Arizona$43,339$21

    Average plant and maintenance technician salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1IBM$72,051$34.64
    2Vishay$63,590$30.577
    3Valero Energy$63,357$30.4612
    4Cummins$61,805$29.7129
    5Koch Foods$59,877$28.7927
    6The Hershey Company$58,487$28.1225
    7City of Scottsdale$57,630$27.713
    8MeadWestvaco$57,254$27.53
    9Mission Regional Medical Center$57,234$27.5246
    10Land O'Lakes$57,140$27.4719
    11Eaton$56,469$27.1565
    12Abbott$56,216$27.0325
    13Newmont$55,761$26.81
    14Dairy Farmers of America$55,727$26.79129
    15Prairie Farms Dairy$55,468$26.679
    16Prime Healthcare$55,300$26.5949
    17Ozinga$55,250$26.561
    18Brannan Companies$55,156$26.521
    19Rembrandt Foods$54,994$26.44
    20Foley Products$54,482$26.191
  4. Writing a plant and maintenance technician job description

    A job description for a plant and maintenance technician role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a plant and maintenance technician job description:

    Plant and maintenance technician job description example

    • Three (3) years previous mechanical experience with heavy equipment and/or rock crushing equipment.
    • Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals and write routine reports and correspondence.
    • Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure.
    • Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
    • Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness in completing work. Monitors own work to ensure quality
    • Strives to complete work in timely manner.
    • Treats others with respect and consideration.

    • Must maintain a safe driving record and have a valid driver’s license. CDL beneficial.

    • This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

    • Majority of experience in public works maintenance, crushing and/or construction industry, heavy equipment dealers or maintenance facilities.
    • Requires general knowledge of diesel or gas engines, electrical, electronic, hydraulic, mechanical, pneumatic systems and components.
    • Remove and install parts, disassemble and assemble components, and test and adjust assemblies with minimal supervision.
    • General knowledge of basic hand tools, air tools, precision measuring tools and instruments.

    • Must pass a drug screen and criminal background check.


    EDUCATION:
    • High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one to three years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

    • Technical school helpful.

    • Welding certificate helpful.


    PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
    • Regularly required to stand, walk, climb or balance.

    • Regularly use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear.

    • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

    • Ability to tolerate working outdoors in all environmental and weather related conditions.

    • Regularly exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals; occasionally exposed to electrical shock and vibration.

    • Must be able to lift 50 pounds minimum and up to 75 pounds.


    We are an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including age, sex, color, race, creed, national origin, religious persuasion, marital status, political belief, or disability that does not prohibit performance of essential job functions.


    Federal Law prohibits the employment of unauthorized aliens. All persons hired must submit satisfactory proof of employment authorization and identity (valid driver’s license. Birth certificate, Green Card, etc.) with in three days of being hired. Failure to submit such proof within the required time shall result in immediate termination.

  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right plant and maintenance technician for your business:

    • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your plant and maintenance technician job on Zippia to find and recruit plant and maintenance technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with plant and maintenance technician candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

    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 plant and maintenance technician

    Once you've selected the best plant and 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.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new plant and maintenance technician. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are 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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How much does it cost to hire a plant and maintenance technician?

There are different types of costs for hiring plant and maintenance technicians. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new plant and maintenance technician employee.

You can expect to pay around $50,088 per year for a plant and 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 plant and maintenance technicians in the US typically range between $18 and $30 an hour.

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