Career comparison
Industrial Electronics 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 electronics repairers earn more at the median ($74,090 vs. $64,520), while industrial maintenance technicians usually get to work faster (1–4 years of training). Industrial electronics repairers repair the electronic controls that run industrial machines. 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
| Industrial Electronics Repairer | Industrial Maintenance Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $74,090 ($35.62/hr) | $64,520 ($31.02/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $46,840 – $105,590 | $46,120 – $95,170 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +0.3% (little or no change) | +17.8% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 4,700 | 44,400 |
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | Training program plus a year or more on the job | 1–4 years |
| Key credential | ETA Certified Electronics Technician | CMRT (SMRP) |
| Work setting | Repairers work in factories, repair shops and field service.. | Technicians work in manufacturing plants, warehouses, food processing facilities and utilities. |
What each job does
Industrial Electronics Repairer
- Troubleshoot control systems
- Repair circuit boards
- Replace components
- Test PLCs and drives
- Calibrate equipment
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 industrial electronics repairer if…
- I like electronics
- I solve logic puzzles
- I stay calm when lines are down
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 Industrial Electronics Repairer fit quiz and the Industrial Maintenance Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, industrial electronics repairer or industrial maintenance technician?
Industrial Electronics Repairers earn more at the median: $74,090 versus $64,520 for industrial maintenance technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Industrial Maintenance Technicians typically train faster (1–4 years) than industrial electronics repairers (Training program plus a year or more on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects industrial maintenance technicians to grow +17.8% from 2025–35, compared with +0.3% for industrial electronics repairers.