Industrial Maintenance Technician
Keep factory machinery running with mechanical, electrical and PLC troubleshooting.
- $64,520
- 1–4 years
Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Maintenance Supervisor
Also called: Maintenance Manager · Mechanic Supervisor · Repair Shop Supervisor · Lead Technician
What maintenance supervisors do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a maintenance supervisor do?
First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers and repairers directly supervise and coordinate the activities of maintenance and repair workers. The median pay is $79,860 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Several years of hands-on experience, and employment is projected to grow +4.1% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$79,860$38.39/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+4.1%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year48,900Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainSeveral years of hands-on experienceTypical program length
- U.S. jobs629,000Employment, 2025
What maintenance supervisors do
Maintenance supervisors lead repair crews. They assign work orders, plan preventive maintenance, train technicians, order parts, troubleshoot hard problems, enforce safety and keep downtime low in plants, fleets, buildings and shops.
A high school diploma plus several years of hands-on experience is typical. BLS projects about average growth and many openings.
Typical duties
- Assign work orders
- Plan preventive maintenance
- Supervise technicians
- Order parts
- Troubleshoot complex problems
- Enforce safety
- Track maintenance costs
Work environment and schedule
Supervisors work in plants, shops, fleet garages and facilities.
Schedule: Full time, often on call and with weekend shutdowns.
A day in the life
- Review overnight breakdowns.
- Assign work to the crew.
- Help troubleshoot a conveyor.
- Order parts.
See a full day in the life of a maintenance supervisor →
Maintenance Supervisor salary
Half of maintenance supervisors earned more than $79,860 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $49,600 for the lowest 10% to $126,790 for the top 10%.
Full maintenance supervisor pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a maintenance supervisor
- Learn a mechanical trade
- Work as a technician
- Become a lead
- Learn CMMS and planning
- Become a supervisor
A high school diploma and several years of maintenance experience are typical; technical training helps.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a maintenance supervisor →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Mechanical and electrical troubleshooting
- Preventive maintenance planning
- CMMS
- Parts management
- Safety programs
People skills
- Leadership
- Problem-solving
- Communication
- Calm under pressure
All maintenance supervisor skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Good pay without a degree
- Leadership role
- Many openings
- Mix of hands-on and planning
Cons
- On call
- Pressure to reduce downtime
- Weekend shutdowns
- Staffing shortages
Certifications and licenses
- CMRP: Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional.
- CMRT: Maintenance technician credential.
- OSHA 30: Safety.
- Trade license: Electrical or HVAC as needed.
Career path
- Technician: Hands-on.
- Lead Technician: Guide.
- Maintenance Supervisor: Lead crews.
- Maintenance Manager: Run maintenance.
Learn the job before day one
Our Maintenance Supervisor training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as cut unplanned downtime and plan a weekend maintenance shutdown, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Millwright
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Facilities Manager
Keep buildings safe, working and efficient.
- $106,660
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Production Supervisor
Lead factory teams to hit safety, quality and production goals every shift.
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Compare: Maintenance Supervisor vs. Maintenance Technician · Maintenance Supervisor vs. Millwright · Maintenance Supervisor vs. Facilities Manager · Maintenance Supervisor vs. Production Supervisor
Maintenance Supervisor FAQ
Do maintenance supervisors need a degree?
Usually not; experience matters most.
Is the job in demand?
Yes, BLS projects many openings.
Are they on call?
Often.
How much does a maintenance supervisor make?
The median annual wage for maintenance supervisors was $79,860 ($38.39 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $49,600 and the highest 10% earned more than $126,790.
How long does it take to become a maintenance supervisor?
Most people need about Several years of hands-on experience of training. A high school diploma and several years of maintenance experience are typical; technical training helps.
Do you need a degree to be a maintenance supervisor?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education.
More maintenance supervisor questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 49-1011 (First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers (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.