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How to hire a preventive maintenance technician

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

  • There are a total of 495,258 preventive maintenance technicians in the US, and there are currently 170,517 job openings in this field.
  • The median cost to hire a preventive maintenance technician is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per preventive maintenance technician on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Baltimore, MD, has the highest demand for preventive maintenance technicians, with 10 job openings.

How to hire a preventive maintenance technician, step by step

To hire a preventive 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 preventive maintenance technician:

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

What does a preventive maintenance technician do?

A preventive maintenance technician performs routine facility maintenance to prevent possible mechanical failure. The technicians change worn out machine parts before they can cause mechanical damage. They keep the facility operating. It is their job to conduct quality assessments, maintain inventory, and schedule repairs. Also, they see to it that machines are up and running at all times. They are expected to be equipped with skills in customer service, problem-solving, reading comprehension, business operation, and mechanical aptitude.

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

    The preventive 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 preventive maintenance technician's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, preventive 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.

    The following list breaks down different types of preventive maintenance technicians and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Preventive Maintenance TechnicianDescriptionHourly rate
    Preventive 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.$14-25
    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:
    • Customer Service
    • Hand Tools
    • HVAC
    • Dishwashers
    • Plumbing
    • Water Filters
    • Perform Routine Maintenance
    • Routine Maintenance
    • Ladders
    • OSHA
    • CNC
    • Safety Regulations
    • Production Equipment
    • Oil Changes
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Initiate and implement first preventative maintenance program for CNC, mills and lathes for the maintenance dept.
    • Control circuit and PLC installation and programming.
    • Climb poles, ladders and other structures as needed.
    • Train and knowledgeable of OSHA's rules and regulations.
    • Insure vehicle are meeting all safety guidelines as set for by ANSI and OSHA.
    • Assist higher-level heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) mechanics.
    More preventive maintenance technician duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your preventive maintenance technician job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A preventive 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 a preventive maintenance technician in Idaho may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level preventive maintenance technician usually earns less than a senior-level preventive maintenance technician. Additionally, a preventive 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 preventive maintenance technician salary

    $40,935yearly

    $19.68 hourly rate

    Entry-level preventive maintenance technician salary
    $31,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 14, 2025

    Average preventive maintenance technician salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Minnesota$49,598$24
    2Wisconsin$46,763$22
    3New York$46,141$22
    4Washington$46,057$22
    5California$45,104$22
    6Illinois$43,715$21
    7Kentucky$43,384$21
    8Oregon$41,927$20
    9Georgia$41,262$20
    10Nebraska$40,947$20
    11Virginia$40,630$20
    12Colorado$40,337$19
    13North Carolina$40,168$19
    14Maryland$40,130$19
    15Maine$39,659$19
    16North Dakota$39,609$19
    17Florida$39,182$19
    18Kansas$38,669$19
    19Michigan$35,334$17
    20Texas$35,222$17

    Average preventive maintenance technician salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Kiewit$54,682$26.2910
    2Pella$54,044$25.9811
    3Columbia University in the City of New York$53,731$25.8314
    4WestRock$51,861$24.9365
    5Bausch + Lomb$51,662$24.842
    6Douglas Emmett, Inc.$50,858$24.45
    7Crown Holdings$50,753$24.404
    8MDU Resources$50,357$24.213
    9Ring Power Cat$49,528$23.8129
    10Peoria Unified School District$49,511$23.801
    11Republic Services$49,388$23.74112
    12McKesson$49,356$23.7314
    13Erlanger Health System$48,683$23.416
    14Swanson Health Products$48,493$23.31
    15BorgWarner$48,476$23.311
    16Phillips and Jordan$48,112$23.13
    17Patten Cat$47,481$22.83
    18Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants$47,433$22.8028
    19Walmart$47,045$22.621,680
    20Rochester Institute of Technology$46,673$22.442
  4. Writing a preventive maintenance technician job description

    A good preventive maintenance technician job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a preventive maintenance technician job description:

    Preventive maintenance technician job description example

    1. Monitor controls programs district wide.

    2. Installs, inspects, maintains, repairs and performs preventative maintenance on all heating, air

    conditioning, ice making, refrigeration, and ventilation systems.

    3. Inspects HVAC systems and their components (e.g. heating units, building exhaust fans, ventilation

    units, etc.) for the purpose of evaluating condition, identifying necessary repairs, and completing

    preventive maintenance.

    4. Responds to emergency situations during or after hours for the purpose of resolving immediate safety

    concerns.

    5. Maintains knowledge of District equipment procedures for power outages.

    6. Follow Standard Precautions using personal protective equipment as required.

    7. Informs personnel regarding procedures and/or status of work orders for the purpose of providing

    information for making decisions, taking appropriate action and/or complying with building and safety

    regulations

    8. Maintains vehicle, tools and equipment for the purpose of ensuring availability in safe operating

    condition.

    9. May coordinate, maintain, and repair all energy management systems.

    10. Purchasing and maintaining inventory

    11. Must be willing and able to plow snow when needed during the winter months.

    12. Must be willing to go on an on call rotation.

    13. Must be willing to be on call for HVAC/R issues.

    14. All other duties as assigned by the Assistant Facilities Director.


    EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

    Minimum high school diploma or equivalent. Control training is preferred.


    EXPERIENCE:

    Minimum of 3 years experience related to HVAC. Minimum of 5 years experience in Maintenance.


    CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, & REGISTRATIONS:

    Certified in Type II and Type III Refrigerant Transition and

    Recovery. Must have a Universal EPA Refrigerant Certification


    PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

    Must be able to lift 50 to 100lbs often and work on your feet for long periods of time without

    resting.


    WORK ENVIRONMENT:

    The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an

    employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of an Preventative Maintenance Tech of MSD of

    Decatur Township. This position works at Schools that require climbing up ladders and stairways. Must be able to

    work while standing, squatting and kneeling for long periods. This position also requires work outdoors in cold, hot

    and sometimes wet weather conditions.


    SUMMARY:

    • The Preventative Maintenance Technician will perform duties throughout the
    • assigned working location of MSD Decatur Township.
    • The Preventative Maintenance Technician will be expected to
    • maintain the districts heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
    • The Preventative Maintenance Technician may
    • be responsible for identifying repair and/or replacement needs, then completing the repairs.
    • This position conducts preventative maintenance including changing belts, filters and greasing motors for all HVAC systems and
    • equipment.
    • This position may need to assist Maintenance Techs within and outside of their trade.
    • This position reports directly to The Assistant Facilities Director.


    Work Year:

    260 days 2:30pm to 11:00pm

    (During the summer and other school breaks this position will work 7:00am to 3:30 pm)

    Department: MSD Decatur Township Schools Operations


    Salary:

    $50,000/yr

  5. Post your job

    To find preventive 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 preventive maintenance technicians they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level preventive 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 preventive maintenance technician job on Zippia to find and recruit preventive maintenance technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit preventive maintenance technicians, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up 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 preventive maintenance technician

    Once you've found the preventive 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 equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been 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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How much does it cost to hire a preventive maintenance technician?

Before you start to hire preventive maintenance technicians, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire preventive maintenance technicians pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

Preventive maintenance technicians earn a median yearly salary is $40,935 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find preventive maintenance technicians for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $14 and $25.

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