Industrial Maintenance Technician
Keep the plant running. Industrial Maintenance Technicians are the generalists who fix anything that breaks — mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, controls. The trade behind every manufacturer, distribution center, and process plant.
Industrial Maintenance Technician goes by many names
On KinTrades, all of these job titles route to the Industrial Maintenance Technician trade — so search any of them and you'll find matching work.
Day to day on the job
Industrial Maintenance Techs split between preventive maintenance (PMs — running scheduled inspections, lubrications, and replacements) and reactive repair (when something breaks, you fix it). The work spans mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and PLC controls — generalists who can troubleshoot across systems.
Specializations diverge by industry. Manufacturing Maintenance Techs work production lines — robots, conveyors, packaging machines. Building Systems Techs work HVAC and water systems at large facilities. Process Plant Techs work refineries, chemical plants, food processors — premium pay.
Most industrial maintenance techs work in-house at manufacturers, distribution centers, or process plants. The role typically pays well with strong benefits because in-house teams want stability — and the work draws heavily from veterans who already have multi-system maintenance experience.
How you move up as an Industrial Maintenance Tech
Most industrial maintenance techs come up through CC AAS programs, manufacturer training, and on-the-job experience. SMRP (Society for Maintenance & Reliability Professionals) issues the CMRP credential — the standard for senior maintenance roles. BLS OES 49-9041, May 2024.
Apprentice — what this rung looks like
What Industrial Maintenance Technicians earn in VA, DC, MD & NC
Pay data: BLS OEWS · May 2024 · VA · DC · MD · NC. Expanding nationally.
Core craft + supporting skills
Pulled from your taxonomy. Core skills (orange) are required for the Industrial Maintenance Technician trade; supporting skills (gray) round out a well-rounded journeyworker.
Paths into the Industrial Maintenance Technician trade
Direct hire at manufacturer
Most industrial maintenance techs come in as helpers at manufacturers, distribution centers, or process plants. Many manufacturers run their own training programs and pay for outside coursework.
ABC Industrial Maintenance Apprenticeship
DOL-Registered industrial-maintenance apprenticeships through ABC chapters. ABC Virginia, ABC Metro Washington, ABC Greater Baltimore.
Community College AAS Programs
Mechatronics or industrial-maintenance AAS programs at NoVA CC, Wake Tech, Cape Fear CC. FastForward VA covers tuition.
Certifications that help
NIMS Industrial Maintenance Levels I–III, NFPA 70E, OSHA 10/30, lockout-tagout, EPA 608, manufacturer training (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Festo, SMC), CMRP for senior roles, ISA-CCST for controls track.
Common pathways into Industrial Maintenance Technician work
KinTrades welcomes Industrial Maintenance Technician workers from every walk of life. Whether you're a veteran transitioning out of service, a student planning your career, or someone returning to work — there's a clear path in.
Veterans
Industrial maintenance is one of the strongest civilian destinations for veterans.
Army 91C Utilities Equipment Repairer, 91D Power Generation Equipment Repairer, 91L Construction Equipment Repairer, Navy MR (Machinery Repairman), and Air Force 3E0X1 Electrical Systems all bring multi-system troubleshooting experience.
Manufacturers and DoD contractors actively recruit transitioning service members for maintenance roles.
Veterans on KinTradesHigh School Students
Mechatronics and industrial-maintenance programs at CCs (NoVA CC, Wake Tech, Cape Fear CC) are common pathways.
Many manufacturers (Toyota, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, BMW) run paid manufacturing training programs with HS-grad entry.
Direct hire as helper is also common.
Students on KinTradesSecond Chance
Industrial maintenance is generally second-chance friendly — once you can troubleshoot across systems, your past matters less.
Federal and DoD-contractor sites run background checks for facility access; commercial manufacturing and distribution-center work often does not.
Larger manufacturers (Amazon, FedEx) run formal background checks tied to facility access.
Second-chance hiringIf Industrial Maintenance Technician interests you, also look at
Common questions about becoming an Industrial Maintenance Technician
What does an Industrial Maintenance Technician do?
Industrial Maintenance Techs split between preventive maintenance (PMs — running scheduled inspections, lubrications, and replacements) and reactive repair (when something breaks, you fix it). The work spans mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and PLC controls — generalists who can troubleshoot across systems.
What does an Industrial Maintenance Technician make in Virginia, DC, Maryland, and North Carolina?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024, Industrial Maintenance Technicians earn an annual median of $64K in Virginia (range $50K–$84K), $76K in DC ($60K–$100K), $70K in Maryland ($54K–$92K), and $58K in North Carolina ($44K–$78K).
How do you become an Industrial Maintenance Technician?
Direct hire at manufacturer: Most industrial maintenance techs come in as helpers at manufacturers, distribution centers, or process plants. Many manufacturers run their own training programs and pay for outside coursework.
How long is Industrial Maintenance Technician apprenticeship in Virginia, DC, Maryland, or North Carolina?
2–4 years to journey-level depending on path. Most industrial maintenance techs come up through CC AAS programs, manufacturer training, and on-the-job experience. SMRP (Society for Maintenance Reliability Professionals) issues the CMRP credential — the standard for senior maintenance roles.
Is Industrial Maintenance Technician a good career path for someone with a record?
Industrial maintenance is generally second-chance friendly — once you can troubleshoot across systems, your past matters less. Federal and DoD-contractor sites run background checks for facility access; commercial manufacturing and distribution-center work often does not. Larger manufacturers (Amazon, FedEx) run formal background checks tied to facility access.