Career comparison
Industrial Maintenance Technician vs. Maintenance Helper
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. $39,630), while maintenance helpers usually get to work faster (A few weeks on the job of training). Industrial maintenance technicians keep factory machinery running with mechanical, electrical and PLC troubleshooting. Maintenance helpers assist mechanics and technicians with repairs while learning the trade.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Industrial Maintenance Technician | Maintenance Helper | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $64,520 ($31.02/hr) | $39,630 ($19.05/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $46,120 – $95,170 | $29,310 – $55,890 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +17.8% (much faster than average) | +5.3% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 44,400 | 13,600 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 1–4 years | A few weeks on the job |
| Key credential | CMRT (SMRP) | OSHA 10 |
| Work setting | Technicians work in manufacturing plants, warehouses, food processing facilities and utilities. | Helpers work in plants, buildings, shops and outdoors.. |
What each job does
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
Maintenance Helper
- Assist mechanics
- Carry tools and parts
- Clean work areas
- Hold materials
- Do simple repairs
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, teamwork, and in-demand. Both are part of the mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
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
Choose maintenance helper if…
- I want to learn a trade
- I like hands-on work
- I’m reliable
Still torn? Take the Industrial Maintenance Technician fit quiz and the Maintenance Helper fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, industrial maintenance technician or maintenance helper?
Industrial Maintenance Technicians earn more at the median: $64,520 versus $39,630 for maintenance helpers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Maintenance Helpers typically train faster (A few weeks on the job) 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 +5.3% for maintenance helpers.