Industrial Maintenance Technician: Education and Training Programs
Industrial maintenance technicians typically have some formal education, whether it's apprenticeship or a diploma, certificate or associate's degree in industrial maintenance technology. Learn about common types of industrial maintenance tech education and where you might find training in industrial maintenance.
Educational Requirements for an Industrial Maintenance Technician
<p>Industrial maintenance technicians repair and perform preventative maintenance on assembly systems. Industrial maintenance technology is an engineering discipline, and industrial maintenance techs should be familiar with electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic systems as well as computers. Some may choose to enter the field through an apprenticeship. For others, the best choice is a certificate, diploma or degree program in industrial maintenance.
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<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutBecomingAnIndustrialMaintenanceTechnician">Important Facts About Becoming an Industrial Maintenance Technician</h3>
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<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Median Salary (2021)</b> </td><td>$59,380 (for all industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights)</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Required Education</b> </td><td>High school diploma or equivalent; some employers provide on-the-job training, although completion of apprenticeship or degree program may be preferred</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2021-2031)</b> </td><td>Prospective growth of 14% (for all industrial machine mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights)</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Key Skills</b> </td><td>Mechanical aptitude; knowledge of math and computers; hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
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<h3 id="section---ApprenticeshipForIndustrialMaintenanceTechnicians">Apprenticeship for Industrial Maintenance Technicians</h3>
<p>High school graduates may become industrial maintenance technicians by completing an apprenticeship of hands-on work. Experienced technicians supervise industrial maintenance apprentices, who typically work about 2,000 hours per year for up to five years and might undergo classroom study of about 150-200 hours per year. Apprentices may also need to pass an aptitude test.
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<h3 id="section---IndustrialMaintenanceTechnicianCertificatesAndDiplomas">Industrial Maintenance Technician Certificates and Diplomas</h3>
<p>Many schools offer certificates or diplomas to prepare you for a career as an industrial maintenance technician. Indiana University - Purdue Global offers an industrial maintenance technician certificate that emphasizes electronics and computers. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, <i>Washington Monthly</i>'s 24th-best community college in the country as of 2018, offers a 2-year technical diploma covering all aspects of an industrial maintenance technician's job, from hydraulics to pumps to conveyor systems to motors.
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<h3 id="section---IndustrialMaintenanceTechnicianDegreePrograms">Industrial Maintenance Technician Degree Programs</h3>
<p>Higher education in industrial maintenance technology also includes associate degree programs. Some associate's degrees are general; for example, Texas's Lone Star College offers an AAS in Industrial Maintenance Technology that presents the fundamentals of power systems, microcomputers and basic machinery. By contrast, Calhoun Community College in Tanner, Alabama, offers four specializations in industrial maintenance: mechanical, electrical, instrumentation or air conditioning and refrigeration.</p>