Maintenance Technician is a skilled professional who is responsible for ensuring the proper functioning and upkeep of various systems, equipment, and facilities. Individuals perform routine maintenance tasks, troubleshoot issues, repair equipment breakdowns and minimize downtime. They work in a variety of settings, such as manufacturing plants, residential or commercial buildings, hospitals, schools, or other facilities. For becoming a Maintenance Technician, aspiring candidates require a certain education level, experience, skills, certification, etc. In this article, we will discuss several aspects of the Maintenance Technician’s profession.
Post Highlights:
- Position Levels
- Educational Qualifications
- Course Types
- Certification/License
- Work Experience
- Duties/Responsibilities
- Equipment Types
- Abilities/Skills
- Work Environment
- Physical Requirements
- Top Industries
- Job Types
- Salary Information
- Benefits/Perks
Maintenance Technician Levels
Some common levels may include-
- Entry-Level Maintenance Technician – (who is new to the field or has minimal experience)
- Junior Maintenance Technician – (have gained some experience and may have completed basic training or certification programs)
- Intermediate Maintenance Technician – (have developed a solid foundation of knowledge and experience)
- Senior Maintenance Technician – (highly experienced and have a deep understanding of maintenance principles, techniques, and equipment)
- Lead or Supervisor Maintenance Technician – (have a higher level of responsibility, including supervising a team)
- Maintenance Manager – (responsible for overseeing the entire maintenance department or team)
Educational Qualifications
Typical education includes-
- High School Diploma or Equivalent
- Vocational or Trade School
- Associate’s Degree (Industrial Maintenance Technology or Facilities Maintenance)
Course Types
Some common course types include-
- Industrial Maintenance Course – (provide a comprehensive understanding of maintenance practices in industrial settings)
- Facilities Maintenance Course – (focus on the maintenance and management of various building systems)
- Specific Equipment or Systems Course – (may focus on specific equipment or systems commonly found in maintenance work)
- Basic Maintenance Course – (an introduction to the fundamentals of maintenance work)
- Electrical Systems Course – (focus on electrical systems)
- Mechanical Systems Courses – (concentrate on mechanical components, machinery, and equipment)
- HVAC Systems Course – (focus on the principles and maintenance of HVAC systems)
Certification/License
Some common certification types include-
- Certified Maintenance and Reliability Technician (CMRT) Certification
- Certified Maintenance Manager (CMM) Certification
- Equipment-Specific Certifications
- HVAC Excellence Certifications
- National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Certification
Work Experience
Some common types of work experiences include-
- Contract or Service Companies Experience
- Equipment-Specific Maintenance Experience
- Facilities Engineering Experience
- Facilities Maintenance Experience
- General Maintenance and Repair Experience
- Manufacturing and Industrial Maintenance Experience
- Property Management Experience
- Specialized Industries Experience
Duties/Responsibilities
Typical duties include-
- Conduct regular inspections, preventive maintenance tasks, and routine servicing of equipment, machinery, and systems
- Conduct safety inspections and ensure a safe working environment
- Identify the root causes and troubleshoot the issues
- Perform repairs or replacements of faulty parts or components
- Respond to equipment breakdowns or emergencies
- Responsible for keeping accurate records of maintenance activities
- Stay informed about the latest industry trends, technologies, and best practices
- Work closely with other team members, including engineers, supervisors, and operators
Equipment Types
Some common equipment types include-
- Automotive Equipment
- Boilers/Furnaces
- Computer/IT Equipment
- Conveyor Systems
- Electrical Systems
- Elevators and Escalators
- Fire Suppression Systems
- Food Processing Equipment
- HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) Systems
- Laboratory Equipment
- Manufacturing Equipment (machinery)
- Medical Equipment (devices)
- Packaging Machinery
- Plumbing Systems
- Power Tools
- Printing Machinery
- Pumps and Compressors
- Security Systems
- Telecommunication Systems
- Welding Equipment
Abilities/Skills
Some key skills include-
- Adaptability/flexibility
- Attention to detail
- Documentation
- Effective communication skills
- Electrical skills
- Equipment maintenance and repair
- Hand and power tools proficiency
- HVAC skills
- Mechanical aptitude
- Organizational skills
- Plumbing skills
- Preventive maintenance knowledge
- Problem-solving skills
- Professional customer service
- Safety awareness
- Teamwork skills
- Technical knowledge
- Time management skills
- Troubleshooting skills
Work Environment
Work conditions may include-
- Exposure to machine noise and food dust
- Exposure to wet, slippery floors
- May be exposed to allergens
- May be required to work in confined spaces
- Must be able to work overnight
- Regularly works near moving mechanical parts
- The noise level is moderate to loud
- Varying temperatures in a production environment
Physical Requirements
Typical physical demands include-
- May need to lift heavy objects, climb ladders or scaffolding, crawl into tight spaces
- Regular standing, walking, and bending are common
- Occasionally required to talk or hear and taste or smell
- Require specific vision abilities
Top Industries
Typical work areas include-
- Commercial Buildings
- Educational Institutions
- Healthcare Facilities
- Industrial Plants
- Manufacturing Facilities
- Outdoor Settings
- Remote Locations
- Residential Properties
Job Types
Some common job types include-
- Aviation Maintenance Technician
- Building Maintenance Technician
- Electrical Maintenance Technician
- Equipment Maintenance Technician
- Facilities Maintenance Technician
- HVAC/R Technician
- Industrial Maintenance Technician
- Instrumentation and Control Technician
- Mechanical Maintenance Technician
- Vehicle Maintenance Technician
Salary Information
The salary of a Maintenance Technician varies from place to place in the United States. Factors like education, experience, certification, location, industry types, and organization size affect salary trends. The average hourly wage of a Maintenance Technician is approximately $22.08. However, the following salary figures provide just a general idea, actual ranges may vary.
Hourly Wages-
- Entry-level ($15-$20)
- Experienced ($20-$30)
- Highly Specialized/Senior-level ($30+)
Monthly Salary-
- Entry-level ($2,500-$3,500)
- Experienced ($3,500-$5,000)
- Highly specialized ($5,000+)
Yearly Salary-
- Entry-level ($30,000-$42,000)
- Experienced ($42,000-$60,000)
- Highly Specialized ($60,000+)
The highest hourly paying cities for Maintenance Technicians in the United States are New York ($25.93), Seattle ($25.12), Louisville ($23.08), and Denver ($22.59).
Benefits/Perks
The most common benefits include-
| 401(k) Plan | Opportunities for Advancement |
| 401(k) Matching | Paid Sick Time |
| AD&D Insurance | Paid Time Off |
| Cell Phone Reimbursement | Paid Training |
| Dental Insurance | Parental Leave |
| Disability Insurance | Pet Insurance |
| Employee Assistance Program | Professional Development Assistance |
| Employee Discount | Profit Sharing |
| Employee Stock Purchase Plan | Referral Program |
| Flexible Schedule | Relocation Assistance |
| Flexible Spending Account | Retirement Plan |
| Gym Membership | Tools Provided |
| Health Insurance | Tuition Reimbursement |
| Health Savings Account | Vision Insurance |
| Life Insurance | Wellness Program |
Summary
Maintenance Technicians are crucial persons in various industries. They ensure proper maintenance, functioning, and repair of machinery, equipment, and systems. These individuals possess technical knowledge and troubleshooting skills. They work in diverse environments, including commercial buildings, healthcare facilities, manufacturing facilities, and outdoor settings. Overall, the above-mentioned information on the Maintenance Technician career is important for aspiring students, job-holders, and other professionals working in the welding industry.
