Industrial Maintenance Technician Career Guide

What does an industrial maintenance technician do?

Industrial maintenance technicians install, maintain, troubleshoot and repair factory equipment (conveyors, pumps, motors, hydraulics, pneumatics and automated controls) to keep production running safely. The median pay is $64,520 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–4 years, and employment is projected to grow +17.8% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$64,520
$31.02/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+17.8%
2025–35, much faster than average
Openings per year
44,400
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
1–4 years
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
446,900
Employment, 2025

What industrial maintenance technicians do

When a production line stops, every minute costs money. Industrial maintenance technicians find and fix the problem: a failed bearing, a misaligned shaft, a hydraulic leak, a tripped motor or a faulty sensor in a PLC-controlled system. They also perform preventive and predictive maintenance so breakdowns don’t happen in the first place.

Many techs learn through apprenticeships, technical programs or years of on-the-job training. Employment is projected to grow much faster than average as factories automate, and multi-skilled techs who understand both mechanical systems and electrical controls are especially valuable.

Typical duties

Perform preventive and predictive maintenance on equipment
Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic problems
Repair or replace bearings, belts, motors, pumps and gearboxes
Read schematics, prints and PLC ladder logic
Align shafts and adjust machinery
Lock out and tag out equipment before service
Document work in a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS)

Work environment and schedule

Technicians work in manufacturing plants, warehouses, food processing facilities and utilities. Conditions can be noisy, hot and around moving machinery, requiring strict lockout/tagout and PPE.

Schedule: Full-time, often on rotating shifts in plants that run 24/7. Overtime and call-ins for breakdowns are common.

A day in the life

6:00 AMShift handoff: review downtime reports and the CMMS work orders.
6:30 AMRun preventive maintenance on a packaging line: lubricate, inspect belts and check sensors.
9:00 AMRespond to a stopped conveyor: lock out, troubleshoot a failed proximity sensor using the PLC display and replace it.
11:30 AMTake vibration readings on critical pumps and flag one bearing showing early wear.

See a full day in the life of an industrial maintenance technician →

Industrial Maintenance Technician salary

Half of industrial maintenance technicians earned more than $64,520 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $46,120 for the lowest 10% to $95,170 for the top 10%.

$46,12010th$64,520Median$95,17090th

Full industrial maintenance technician pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become an industrial maintenance technician

Finish high school
Get technical training
Start as a maintenance helper or tech I
Add electrical and PLC skills
Advance

A high school diploma is typically required. Many techs complete a one- to two-year technical program in industrial maintenance or mechatronics, an apprenticeship, or extensive on-the-job training.

Step-by-step guide to becoming an industrial maintenance technician →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Mechanical troubleshooting
Electrical and motor controls
PLC basics and ladder logic
Hydraulics and pneumatics
Shaft alignment and bearings

People skills

Problem-solving under pressure
Communication with operators
Teamwork
Documentation discipline

All industrial maintenance technician skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Much faster than average job growth
Good pay with overtime and shift premiums
Variety: mechanical, electrical and controls work
Clear advancement into reliability or controls roles

Cons

Shift work, overtime and call-ins
Pressure to get lines running fast
Hazards from machinery and stored energy
Long learning curve to master many systems

Certifications and licenses

CMRT (SMRP): Certified Maintenance & Reliability Technician.
NIMS credentials: National Institute for Metalworking Skills industrial maintenance credentials.
OSHA 10 General Industry: Workplace safety training.
NFPA 70E: Electrical safety and arc-flash training.

Career path

Maintenance Helper or Tech I: Perform PMs and basic repairs.
Maintenance Technician II/III: Troubleshoot complex mechanical and electrical problems.
Controls or Reliability Technician: Specialize in automation or predictive maintenance.
Maintenance Supervisor or Reliability Engineer: Lead teams and improve equipment performance.

Learn the job before day one

Our Industrial Maintenance Technician training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as lock out and tag out a machine and replace a pillow block bearing, safety and how to land your first job.

View Industrial Maintenance Technician training Is this career right for me?

Electrician

Install, maintain and repair electrical wiring, panels and equipment safely to code.

$63,190
4–5 years (paid apprenticeship)

CNC Machinist

Set up and run computer-controlled machines that cut precision metal parts.

$58,750
6–24 months

HVAC Technician

Install, maintain and repair heating, cooling, ventilation and refrigeration systems.

$61,010
6–24 months

Diesel Mechanic

Diagnose and repair trucks, buses and diesel-powered equipment.

$61,770
6–24 months

Compare: Maintenance Technician vs. Electrician · Maintenance Technician vs. CNC Machinist · Maintenance Technician vs. HVAC Technician · Maintenance Technician vs. Diesel Mechanic

Industrial Maintenance Technician FAQ

Is industrial maintenance a good career?

Employment of industrial machinery mechanics is projected to grow 17.8% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average, and multi-skilled techs are in demand.

What’s the difference between a maintenance tech and a millwright?

Millwrights specialize in installing, moving and aligning heavy machinery; maintenance techs focus on keeping it running. Many roles overlap.

Do I need to know PLCs?

Not to start, but PLC and controls skills significantly increase pay and advancement opportunities.

How much does an industrial maintenance technician make?

The median annual wage for industrial maintenance technicians was $64,520 ($31.02 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $46,120 and the highest 10% earned more than $95,170.

How long does it take to become an industrial maintenance technician?

Most people need about 1–4 years of training. A high school diploma is typically required. Many techs complete a one- to two-year technical program in industrial maintenance or mechatronics, an apprenticeship, or extensive on-the-job training.

Do you need a degree to be an industrial maintenance technician?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus long-term on-the-job training.

More industrial maintenance technician questions →

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 49-9041 (Industrial machinery mechanics).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Industrial machinery mechanics (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Industrial Maintenance Technician