Industrial Maintenance: A Definitive Guide

Have you ever heard of an industrial maintenance technician (IMT)? These types of technicians typically are employed in the energy and manufacturing industries and maintain machines imperative to operation.

Industrial maintenance involves a strategic approach to keep business equipment running efficiently, involving a team of technicians, planners and engineers who use their expertise to develop and implement maintenance plans.

There are four primary maintenance strategies: reactive maintenance, preventive maintenance, predictive maintenance and reliability-centered maintenance, each with its own approach to managing and preventing equipment failures.

IMTs play a crucial role in various industries, such as energy and manufacturing, by performing diagnostics, repairs and maintenance on machinery to ensure operational efficiency and safety.

Industrial maintenance training programs, like those offered at Universal Technical Institute (UTI), provide hands-on training and instruction in essential skills such as electrical theory, safety compliance and machine mechanics, preparing graduates to pursue a career in this vital field.¹

This blog post will define industrial maintenance, provide examples of how it's used and help you decide if industrial maintenance is right for you.

What Is Industrial Maintenance?

Industrial maintenance is a plan of action that businesses take to keep their assets, or equipment, running efficiently for as long as possible.

A team of industrial maintenance technicians, planners and engineers are responsible for developing and carrying out a maintenance plan. They use their mechanical knowledge, experience with specific machines, data collection and data analysis to craft a maintenance plan with actionable items.

 An industrial maintenance technician is typically responsible for enacting the plan.

There are a few ways to approach industrial maintenance, but some strategies are more effective than others.

How to get into industrial maintenance

Getting into industrial maintenance requires a blend of technical skills, hands-on experience, and a solid understanding of industrial equipment and machinery.

Industrial maintenance professionals are responsible for ensuring that manufacturing and production machinery operates efficiently and safely. To enter this field, aspiring individuals can pursue various paths such as obtaining a degree or certification in industrial maintenance technology, mechanical engineering or a related field.

Hands-on training through apprenticeships or vocational programs can also provide valuable experience. Additionally, staying updated on industry trends and advancements in technology, and acquiring certifications in specific equipment or systems can enhance one's employability in the competitive industrial maintenance sector.

Building a strong foundation in mechanical skills, electrical systems, troubleshooting techniques and safety protocols is essential for a successful career in industrial maintenance.

Industrial Maintenance Strategies

There are four primary maintenance strategies a business may enact. Each company’s available funds, unique needs and equipment condition will determine the best plan for them.

1. Reactive maintenance

Reactive maintenance has a low cost upfront. In this type of plan, maintenance technicians address issues as they arise. A poorly performing or failed machine will prompt diagnosis and repair. This is the least preferable of the four strategies as it can lead to permanent damage and productivity loss and prove more expensive in the long run.

2. Preventive maintenance

Preventive maintenance is preferable to reactive maintenance. In preventive strategies, technicians reduce shutdowns and maximize productivity by performing maintenance according to a set schedule.

The only complaint against preventive maintenance is that it rarely utilizes industrial maintenance technology to predict failure and allocate resources responsibly.

3. Predictive maintenance

Predictive maintenance relies on industrial maintenance tools, like device sensors, to alert businesses of potential issues. For example, if a part is underperforming on a particular machine, the sensors will notify a computer maintenance management system (CMMS), bringing it to the technicians’ attention.

Predictive maintenance gives technicians an up-close look at machine performance so they can address issues before breakdowns or complete failure occurs. This strategy designates resources more effectively than reactive or preventive maintenance.

4. Reliability-centered maintenance

Reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) has a high level of data collection and analysis processes that allow businesses to pinpoint common equipment failures and take early actions to prevent them.

RCM takes predictive maintenance one step further through continual monitoring. The strategy continually monitors each piece of equipment through CMMS software and high-tech industrial maintenance tools.

Continual monitoring supplies a wide breadth of data that industrial maintenance workers use to create individual maintenance plans for each asset. Tailor-made plans for every piece of equipment optimize resources and maximize reliability.

How Industrial Maintenance Technology Is Used

Many energy and manufacturing plants employ industrial maintenance technicians to keep their equipment up and running. Investing in industrial maintenance also helps them meet their business objectives.

IMTs can work for nuclear, gas, oil, coal or solar power plants, maintaining and repairing various machines and their related components. Within these industries, here are some common entry-level industrial maintenance roles:

• Industrial maintenance technicians perform diagnostics, check the performance of machines, replace defective parts, clean machines and conduct tests on damaged parts to determine the necessary repairs.
• Field service technicians can work in factories, manufacturing plants, power plants or construction sites providing on-site services like diagnostic testing and repair.
• Installation technicians install, maintain and repair equipment and electrical or mechanical systems. They may also assist engineers in resolving machinery issues related to installation and floor layout.

Our grads are prepared to pursue entry-level roles. As with any industry, over time technicians may be able to advance in their careers with experience and hard work.⁷⁷ Here are some advanced energy technology careers:

• Power plant operators oversee equipment, their maintenance and maintenance employees. They typically work in the manufacturing or energy industry.
• Facilities managers oversee all manufacturing or energy plant operations. They analyze data to determine the best course of action when it comes to maintenance and repair.

Industrial Maintenance Technician Career Outlook

Industrial maintenance can be an exciting career for critical thinkers who enjoy working with their hands and overcoming challenges through problem-solving. If this sounds like you, consider supplementing your traits with the skills an industrial maintenance school can provide.

IMT skills are in demand. For industrial machinery mechanics, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 43,000+ estimated average annual industrial maintenance technician job openings in the U.S. between 2023 and 2033.⁶⁸ At 15%, this growth is faster than career fields in other industries.⁶⁴

According to the BLS, the median annual salary for industrial maintenance technicians in the U.S. was $61,420 in May 2023.⁶⁰ This means half earned more and half earned less. Keep in mind that salary depends on several factors, including experience, employer, demand and cost of living in the area. Keep reading to learn what an industrial maintenance career looks like day to day.

READ MORE: INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE CAREER OUTLOOK

Typical Day in Industrial Maintenance

A typical day for someone working in the IMT field can vary depending on the sector they are in. For example, an IMT that services wind turbines will likely have different safety standards to adhere to, a different environment in which to perform maintenance and a different knowledge base than one who services boilers.

With that in mind, there are still general daily tasks industrial maintenance technicians are responsible for regardless of industry, such as:

• Testing part operation and addressing as necessary.
• Cleaning, lubricating and calibrating machines.
• Visually inspecting and listening for faulty parts.
• Following a set maintenance schedule and documenting work.
• Using diagnosis tools to solve issues.

Industrial Maintenance School

Attending an industrial maintenance program like the one offered at UTI can prepare students for the industry.¹

Our Industrial Maintenance Technician program was created with the help of industry experts to ensure students receive hands-on training in labs that mirror the field. In addition to hands-on training, students receive in-person and online instruction from experienced instructors.

The curriculum supplies students with access to a firm foundation of knowledge and entry-level skills that employers are looking for. Topics covered in our Industrial Maintenance Technician program include:

• Energy industry fundamentals
• Safety compliance
• Math, OSHA and first aid
• DC and AC basic electricity
• Applied physics and precision measuring
• Materials processing, fabrication and diesel
• Industrial heating and cooling and compression systems
• Steam and gas turbines, boiler operations, and valves
• Advanced electrical theory

We offer IMT training at several campuses across the country, and the program is designed to take 30 weeks (or 7 months) to complete.

Industrial Maintenance FAQs

What is the top-paying industry for a maintenance technician?

According to the BLS, industrial machinery mechanics employed in the electric power generation, transmission and distribution industry were the highest earners compared to industrial machinery mechanics in other industries in May 2023.

Is industrial maintenance a good career?

Industrial maintenance can be an exciting trade for people who enjoy problem-solving, are detail-oriented and prefer working with their hands. Additionally, the demand for industrial machinery mechanics is growing – employment is projected to grow 17 percent from 2023 to 2033.⁶⁴

What can you learn in industrial maintenance school?

Industrial maintenance training teaches students the basics of machine mechanics, such as electrical theory, safety compliance, materials processing and precision measuring.

Prepare for a Career in Industrial Maintenance With UTI

Industrial maintenance technicians play an essential role in the industries that keep our society running. Are you interested in pursuing a career that matters? In less than one year, you could get trained for a career as an IMT.¹

Take the first step toward a career with training from UTI. Experienced instructors, hands-on practice and an industry-aligned curriculum prepare graduates to pursue an entry-level role in the industry. Request more info online or fill out an industrial maintenance school application.