Career comparison
Electric Motor Repairer vs. Industrial Maintenance Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Industrial maintenance technicians earn more at the median ($64,520 vs. $56,210), while electric motor repairers usually get to work faster (Several months to a year of training). Electric motor repairers test, rewind and rebuild electric motors, generators and power tools. Industrial maintenance technicians keep factory machinery running with mechanical, electrical and PLC troubleshooting.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Electric Motor Repairer | Industrial Maintenance Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $56,210 ($27.02/hr) | $64,520 ($31.02/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $37,100 – $85,200 | $46,120 – $95,170 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.4% (about as fast as average) | +17.8% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 1,400 | 44,400 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | Several months to a year | 1–4 years |
| Key credential | EASA training | CMRT (SMRP) |
| Work setting | Repairers work in motor shops, factories and field service.. | Technicians work in manufacturing plants, warehouses, food processing facilities and utilities. |
What each job does
Electric Motor Repairer
- Test motors for faults
- Disassemble motors
- Rewind coils
- Replace bearings and brushes
- Balance rotors
Industrial Maintenance Technician
- 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
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, problem-solving, and indoor work. Both are part of the mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose electric motor repairer if…
- I like how motors work
- I’m patient
- I like precision
Choose industrial maintenance technician if…
- I like figuring out how machines work and why they break
- I’m comfortable with both mechanical and electrical work
- I can stay calm when production is down
Still torn? Take the Electric Motor Repairer fit quiz and the Industrial Maintenance Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, electric motor repairer or industrial maintenance technician?
Industrial Maintenance Technicians earn more at the median: $64,520 versus $56,210 for electric motor repairers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Electric Motor Repairers typically train faster (Several months to a year) than industrial maintenance technicians (1–4 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects industrial maintenance technicians to grow +17.8% from 2025–35, compared with +4.4% for electric motor repairers.