Industrial Maintenance Industry Overview
Considering whether industrial maintenance is a good career? Industrial maintenance can be a strong fit for analytical thinkers who are fascinated by machinery and crave variety in their day-to-day, with earning potential, diverse job paths and a stable outlook.
The demand for industrial maintenance technicians is solid. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment is projected to grow 16% from 2024 to 2034.64 With our Industrial Maintenance Technician training program, you can graduate in 7-10 months depending on location!
What Do Industrial Maintenance Technicians Actually Do?
Industrial maintenance technicians keep machinery and equipment running across a wide range of industries. Their work combines routine maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs to prevent downtime and keep operations efficient.
They often work across both mechanical and electrical systems, depending on the equipment and environment. Their duties include, but are not limited to:
- Maintaining machinery: Perform routine maintenance like inspections, cleaning and lubrication to keep equipment operating properly.
- Troubleshooting issues: Diagnose problems using testing methods and tools to identify the source of equipment failures.
- Repairing equipment: Fix or replace components to restore machinery to working conditions.
- Working across systems: Handle both mechanical and electrical systems, depending on the equipment and issue.
- Testing and verifying performance: Run system checks to ensure repairs are effective, and equipment is functioning as expected.
Industrial Maintenance Jobs and Career Paths
Industrial maintenance technician training offers different career avenues that can be pursued by skilled industrial maintenance technicians. Universal Technical Institute (UTI) grads are prepared to pursue entry-level roles.1 As with any industry, over time, technicians may be able to advance in their careers with experience and hard work. Some entry-level and advanced industrial maintenance jobs could include:77
Entry-level
Industrial maintenance technician: Industrial maintenance technicians work in an array of industries, all focused on machinery. These technicians perform repairs and maintenance on machines, check the performance of the machinery, clean them, perform basic diagnostics, test damaged machine parts and determine any necessary repairs.
Installation technician: The duuties of an installation technician are to install, maintain, and repair industrial equipment and electrical or mechanical systems. They may work with industrial engineers to solve problems resulting from machinery installation and production floor layout.
Field service technician: Field service technicians are responsible for handling on-site services like repairs and diagnostic testing for machinery. Field service technicians could work at factories, manufacturing plants, construction sites and power plants, or even be responsible for residential service requests, depending on where they are employed.
Plant technician: Plant technicians maintain the machines and equipment in chemical plants, oil refineries, power plants and other similar facilities. They have the potential to transition to roles as plant operators or power plant operators with time and experience.
Advanced
Power plant operator: Power plant operators control the systems that are responsible for generating and distributing electric power to the plant. Daily duties can include reading charts, meters and gauges to monitor voltage; checking equipment for operation efficiencies; adjusting controls to regulate power flow; and starting or stopping other equipment as necessary.
Facilities manager: A facilities manager oversees the building, grounds, equipment and supplies. Their responsibilities encompass several categories, including operations, maintenance, and the planning and managing of projects. A facilities manager may recommend alternative solutions to save costs and reduce waste, and monitor facilities to ensure the premises are safe and well maintained.
Maintenance mechanic: A maintenance mechanic or major component mechanic performs routine and preventative maintenance services on machines. They may also provide troubleshooting, order replacement parts and document any work performed.
Plant operator: A plant operator maintains and monitors equipment found in chemical plants, oil refineries, power plants and other similar facilities. They might specialize in a piece of equipment or a part of the production process within the plant location.
Major component mechanic: Responsibilities of a major component mechanic include performing planned maintenance on industrial equipment in compliance with established standards. These individuals typically have certifications in stationary engineering and work in collaboration with component manufacturers to ensure the appropriate tools and specifications are used.
Is Industrial Maintenance a Good Career?
Industrial maintenance can be a fulfilling career choice for people who want hands-on work, steady demand and technical problem-solving. Employment for this career role is projected to grow 16% from 2024 to 2034.64
These roles exist across a wide range of industries where equipment and systems need to stay operational, including but not limited to the industries listed below.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing facilities rely on industrial maintenance technicians to keep production lines and machinery running efficiently. Technicians perform routine maintenance, troubleshoot issues and repair equipment to minimize downtime. This environment often involves working with automated systems, conveyors and large-scale production equipment.
Energy and utilities
Energy facilities like power plants and refineries depend on technicians to maintain critical systems. Technicians monitor equipment, perform repairs and help ensure consistent power generation and distribution. The work often involves both mechanical and electrical systems in high-demand environments.
Logistics and warehousing
Logistics and warehousing operations use automated systems to move and sort goods. Industrial maintenance technicians maintain conveyors, robotics and other equipment that keep operations running smoothly. This environment can involve fast-paced work focused on keeping systems operational and efficient.
Food processing and production
Food processing facilities rely on specialized machinery to produce and package products. Technicians perform maintenance, troubleshoot equipment and ensure systems meet operational standards. The work may also involve maintaining sanitation-friendly equipment and adhering to strict operational procedures.
Median Annual Industrial Maintenance Technician Salary
Wondering how much industrial maintenance technicians could earn?
According to the BLS, the median annual salary for industrial maintenance technicians in the United States was $63,760 in May 2024.60 That means half earned more and half earned less. Entry-level technicians may start below the median, while experienced technicians can earn higher wages as they build skills and take on more responsibility. Keep in mind that salary depends on several factors, including experience, employer, demand and cost of living in the area.
Of the states with salary data available, here are the top 10 median annual salaries for industrial maintenance technicians, as reported by the BLS in May 2023.*
*Not entry-level and is dependent on factors like experience, location and employer compensation.
| Rank | State | Annual Median Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $86,590 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $85,380 |
| 3 | Hawaii | $80,180 |
| 4 | Nevada | $75,490 |
| 5 | Washington | $75,220 |
| 6 | Wyoming | $74,510 |
| 7 | California | $73,840 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $73,530 |
| 9 | New Jersey | $73,000 |
| 10 | Oregon | $71,430 |
Industrial Maintenance Training and How To Get Started
A common path into the field begins with hands-on training, then leads into entry-level roles where skills continue to develop.
UTI currently offers our Industrial Maintenance training program at our campuses in Rancho Cucamonga, California; Atlanta, Georgia; Lisle, Illinois; Canton, Michigan; Mooresville, North Carolina; Exton, Pennsylvania; and Dallas/Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Houston, Texas. To learn more about our program locations, head here.
Note: VA benefits may not be available at all locations.
No matter the location, our students benefit from hands-on labs, supportive instructors and a curriculum developed with industry experts for training fit to industry needs.
Industrial Maintenance Career FAQs
At UTI, we offer various schedule options that can help students balance life and school. These may vary based on campus.
No, prior experience is typically not required to start industrial maintenance training. Many programs are designed to teach foundational skills from the ground up, including maintenance, diagnostics and repair. Students build knowledge through hands-on practice as they learn.
Training timelines can vary, but some industrial maintenance programs can be completed in less than a year, depending on the program and location. This allows students to build core skills relatively quickly. After training, technicians continue developing their abilities through on-the-job experience.
Industrial maintenance technicians work across industries that rely on machinery and equipment to operate. Common industries include manufacturing, energy and utilities, logistics and warehousing, and food processing. Their skills are applicable anywhere systems need to be maintained and kept running efficiently.
Yes, industrial maintenance technicians can advance into higher-level roles over time. With experience and additional skills, they may move into positions like plant operator, facilities manager or maintenance mechanic. Career growth often depends on hands-on experience, continued learning and increased responsibility.