Career comparison
Electrician 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. $63,190), while industrial maintenance technicians usually get to work faster (1–4 years of training). Electricians install, maintain and repair electrical wiring, panels and equipment safely to code. 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
| Electrician | Industrial Maintenance Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $63,190 ($30.38/hr) | $64,520 ($31.02/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $42,640 – $108,510 | $46,120 – $95,170 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +9.2% (much faster than average) | +17.8% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 72,700 | 44,400 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 4–5 years (paid apprenticeship) | 1–4 years |
| Key credential | Journeyman electrician license | CMRT (SMRP) |
| Work setting | Electricians work indoors and outdoors at construction sites, homes, businesses and factories. | Technicians work in manufacturing plants, warehouses, food processing facilities and utilities. |
What each job does
Electrician
- Read blueprints, schematics and electrical plans
- Install conduit, wiring, panels, breakers, receptacles and fixtures
- Inspect and test electrical systems with meters and testers
- Troubleshoot and repair faults in circuits, motors and controls
- Follow the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local codes
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, teamwork, and indoor work. They sit in different fields, skilled trades & construction and mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing, but share transferable skills such as problem-solving and problem-solving under pressure.
Which should you choose?
Choose electrician if…
- I like working with my hands and solving technical problems
- I’m comfortable with math and following detailed diagrams
- I respect safety rules, and follow them every time
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 Electrician fit quiz and the Industrial Maintenance Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, electrician or industrial maintenance technician?
Industrial Maintenance Technicians earn more at the median: $64,520 versus $63,190 for electricians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Industrial Maintenance Technicians typically train faster (1–4 years) than electricians (4–5 years (paid apprenticeship)).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects industrial maintenance technicians to grow +17.8% from 2025–35, compared with +9.2% for electricians.