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Reliability technician education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a reliability technician. Reliability technicians usually study electrical engineering, electrical engineering technology, or industrial technology. 48% of reliability technicians hold a associate degree, and 29% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 541 real reliability technician resumes to see exactly what reliability technician education sections show.

The most common colleges for reliability technicians are the DeVry University and the DeVry University.

There are also many online reliability technician courses to help get the education required to be a reliability technician.

What education do you need to become a reliability technician?

What degree do you need to be a reliability technician?

The most common degree for reliability technicians is associate degree, with 48% of reliability technicians earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 29% and bachelor's degree degree at 10%.
  • Associate, 48%
  • Bachelor's, 29%
  • High School Diploma, 10%
  • Diploma, 6%
  • Other Degrees, 7%

What should I major in to become a reliability technician?

You should major in electrical engineering to become a reliability technician. 24% of reliability technicians major in electrical engineering. Other common majors for a reliability technician include electrical engineering technology and industrial technology.

Most common colleges for reliability technicians

Reliability technicians often get their degrees at DeVry University, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Eastern Michigan University. Here are the most common colleges for reliability technicians in the US based on their resumes.
Reliability technician common collegePercentages
DeVry University10.81%
Rochester Institute of Technology8.11%
Eastern Michigan University5.41%
University of Connecticut5.41%
Central State University5.41%

Best majors for reliability technicians

Best colleges for reliability technicians

The best colleges for reliability technicians are Tufts University, Northeastern University, and Stanford University.

A reliability technician with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for reliability technicians. 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 reliability technicians.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

2. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Enrollment

33,495

3. Minnesota State University - Mankato

Mankato, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$8,184

Enrollment

11,675

4. Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$3,926

Enrollment

9,835

5. Texas A&M University

College Station, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$11,870

Enrollment

53,194

6. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Enrollment

2,120

7. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

8. Michigan Technological University

Houghton, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,646

Enrollment

5,736

9. California State University - Chico

Chico, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,608

Enrollment

16,317

10. LeTourneau University

Longview, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$30,210

Enrollment

1,771

20 best online courses for reliability technicians

Advertising disclosure

1. Site Reliability Engineering: Measuring and Managing Reliability

coursera

Service level indicators (SLIs) and service level objectives (SLOs) are fundamental tools for measuring and managing reliability. In this course, students learn approaches for devising appropriate SLIs and SLOs and managing reliability through the use of an error budget...

2. Introduction to Reliability, Maintainability & Availability

udemy
4.4
(256)

A solid foundation for Project Managers & Systems Engineers...

3. Reliability and Maintenance Engineering - FMEA

udemy
4
(533)

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

4. Reliability Engineering Statistics

udemy
4.5
(364)

The Foundation in Probability and Statistics You Need to Understand Reliability Engineering...

5. An Introduction to Reliability Engineering

udemy
4.5
(2,270)

A Study of Why Things Fail and How to Measure and Improve their Useful Life...

6. IT/Desktop Computer Support- Troubleshooting for Technicians

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4.2
(306)

Learn how to troubleshoot desktop computer issues as an IT Support Technician on real-world organisational networks...

7. PLC Programming - Training from Scratch on RSLogix500 & 5000

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4.5
(2,418)

PLC programming from scratch training class by a controls engineer equipped with PLC systems - Allen Bradley RSLogix 500...

8. Applied Statistical Modeling for Data Analysis in R

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4.6
(1,688)

Your Complete Guide to Statistical Data Analysis and Visualization For Practical Applications in R...

9. Data Center Essentials: Power & Electrical

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4.6
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The power & electrical systems that support data centers and the internet...

10. Design Failure Mode Effect Analysis - Concepts & Practice

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4.3
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Learn about the fundamentals of preparing DFMEA for Mechanical design engineers...

11. Statistics for Data Analysis Using R

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4.7
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Learn Programming in R & R Studio • Descriptive, Inferential Statistics • Plots for Data Visualization • Data Science...

12. Data Center Infrastructure Design - An Introduction

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An overview of data center infrastructure design from a structured cabling system designer's perspective...

13. Become a Pharmacy Technician

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A Video Study Guide for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam...

14. Core Spatial Data Analysis: Introductory GIS with R and QGIS

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4.4
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Become Proficient In Spatial Data Analysis Using R & QGIS By Working On A Real Project - Get A Job In Spatial Data!...

15. PLC & AC Drive with Automatic & Manual Industrial Control

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4.2
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this course will take newbies to a higher level to deal with complex PLC projects, Motor Drives ( VFD ) & Manual Control...

16. Root Cause Analysis and the 8D Corrective Action Process

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4.6
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A Comprehensive Approach to Problem Solving: Analysis, Containment, and Permanent Corrective Action...

17. Regression Analysis for Statistics & Machine Learning in R

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4.8
(539)

Learn Complete Hands-On Regression Analysis for Practical Statistical Modelling and Machine Learning in R...

18. The Complete Electrical Power Control and Protection

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4.6
(519)

Your Complete Practical Guide in Electrical Control & Protection Systems for Stations , Substations & Distribution Zones...

19. Introduction to PLC's [Programmable Logic Controllers]-07-21

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4
(502)

This course is a great introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers Theory, Principles, and Programming Applications...

20. R Programming: Advanced Analytics In R For Data Science

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4.7
(8,622)

Take Your R & R Studio Skills To The Next Level. Data Analytics, Data Science, Statistical Analysis in Business, GGPlot2...

Top 10 most affordable universities for reliability technicians

The most affordable schools for reliability technicians are California State University - Long Beach, suny farmingdale, and california state university - los angeles.

If the best universities for reliability technicians 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 reliability technicians.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

4. West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Beckley, WV • Private

In-state tuition

$7,464

Cost of attendance

17,166

5. California State University - Fresno

Fresno, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,587

Cost of attendance

16,915

6. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

13,508

7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

8. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

9. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

10. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for reliability technicians

The hardest universities for reliability technicians to get into are Tufts University, Northeastern University, and Stanford University.

Some great schools for reliability technicians 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 reliability technicians 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. Tufts University

Medford, MA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,461

2. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

3. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

4. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

5. Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

51%

SAT average

1,395

6. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

7. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

8. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

Admissions rate

58%

SAT average

1,309

9. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,517

10. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA • Private

Admissions rate

30%

SAT average

1,339

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for reliability technicians

The easiest schools for reliability technicians to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, capitol technology university, and kean university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a reliability technician 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 reliability technicians.

1. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

2. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

3. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

4. Pennsylvania State University - DuBois

DuBois, PA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,079

5. Pennsylvania State University - Altoona

Altoona, PA • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,094

6. South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,149

7. Alabama A & M University

Normal, AL • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

957

8. Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,080

9. Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

1,086

10. Texas A&M University - Kingsville

Kingsville, TX • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,035

Average reliability technician salary by education level

According to our data, reliability technicians with a Associate degree earn the highest average salary, at $49,910 annually. Reliability technicians with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $49,626.
Reliability technician education levelReliability technician salary
High School Diploma or Less$48,998
Bachelor's Degree$49,626
Some College/ Associate Degree$49,910

Reliability technician 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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