What Does a Maintenance Technician Do?
A maintenance technician is responsible for keeping buildings, equipment, and systems in safe, working condition. These professionals perform repairs, conduct routine inspections, and carry out preventive maintenance to minimize downtime and ensure compliance with safety standards. Their work directly supports operational efficiency in environments like office buildings, schools, warehouses, healthcare facilities, and manufacturing plants.
Daily tasks include diagnosing issues with electrical, mechanical, or plumbing systems, fixing malfunctioning equipment, replacing worn parts, and ensuring everything functions according to code. Maintenance technicians may also be responsible for HVAC upkeep, painting, welding, or maintaining production machinery, depending on the work environment. Whether responding to service requests or performing scheduled maintenance, they play a critical role in extending equipment life and preventing costly disruptions.
Looking to Hire a Maintenance Technician?
Speak with one of our recruiting experts today.
Maintenance Technician Core Responsibilities
- Diagnose and repair mechanical, electrical, HVAC, or plumbing issues
- Perform scheduled preventive maintenance tasks on equipment and systems
- Respond to work orders and emergency service calls in a timely manner
- Inspect facilities and identify potential hazards or needed repairs
- Read blueprints, manuals, or technical diagrams to guide repairs
- Maintain accurate records of maintenance work and part usage
- Coordinate with external vendors for specialized repairs
- Comply with safety regulations and company maintenance procedures
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Proficiency with hand and power tools
- Basic electrical, plumbing, or mechanical repair knowledge
- Ability to read technical manuals, schematics, and blueprints
- Familiarity with CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems)
Soft skills
- Attention to detail and diagnostic problem-solving
- Dependability and time management
- Team collaboration and clear communication
- Flexibility to manage a variety of repair tasks
Education
- High school diploma or GED required
- Technical school, apprenticeship, or associate’s degree in maintenance, HVAC, or similar field preferred
Certifications
- HVAC certification or EPA 608 (for refrigeration roles)
- OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 (especially for construction or industrial sites)
- State or local electrician or plumbing licenses (if applicable)
Preferred Qualifications
- 2–3 years of experience in facility or equipment maintenance
- Experience in manufacturing, commercial, or institutional environments
- Familiarity with lockout/tagout (LOTO), fire safety systems, or PLC troubleshooting
National Average Salary
Maintenance technician salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Maintenance Technician is:
$46,750
Sample Job Description Templates for Maintenance Technicians
Entry-Level Maintenance Technician
Position Overview
We are hiring an Entry-Level Maintenance Technician to assist with basic facility and equipment upkeep across our operations. This role is ideal for candidates beginning their career in skilled trades and offers hands-on training with experienced team members.
Responsibilities
- Support routine inspections and minor repairs to electrical, mechanical, or plumbing systems
- Assist in equipment servicing under supervision
- Replace light fixtures, filters, or worn parts as needed
- Maintain tools and work areas in clean, safe condition
- Document tasks and report larger maintenance concerns to supervisors
Requirements
Hard skills
- Familiarity with basic hand and power tools
- Understanding of general safety procedures
- Willingness to learn HVAC, electrical, or mechanical systems
Soft skills
- Reliable and eager to learn
- Team-oriented with strong communication
- Attention to detail and willingness to follow instructions
Education
- High school diploma or GED required
Certifications
- None required
- OSHA 10 or entry-level trade certification preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- Vocational school experience or previous facility maintenance internship
Mid-Level Maintenance Technician
Position Overview
We are looking for a Mid-Level Maintenance Technician to perform routine repairs, preventive maintenance, and minor system diagnostics for our facilities and equipment. This role requires the ability to work independently on common maintenance tasks and support continuous operations.
Responsibilities
- Perform scheduled preventive maintenance on equipment and infrastructure
- Troubleshoot and repair light electrical, HVAC, plumbing, or mechanical issues
- Monitor systems for early signs of wear, malfunction, or safety hazards
- Maintain logs of completed work and parts used
- Coordinate with vendors or senior staff on larger repairs
Requirements
Hard skills
- Skilled in basic diagnostics and repair of facility systems
- Ability to read blueprints, schematics, or equipment manuals
- Competency with CMMS or maintenance tracking systems
Soft skills
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Clear communication with coworkers and supervisors
- Proactive problem-solving approach
Education
- High school diploma or GED required
- Technical certificate or trade school training preferred
Certifications
- OSHA 10 or 30 recommended
- HVAC or EPA 608 certification preferred for HVAC-related roles
Preferred Qualifications
- 2+ years of hands-on experience in building or equipment maintenance
Senior Maintenance Technician
Position Overview
We are hiring a Senior Maintenance Technician to lead high-level maintenance tasks, equipment diagnostics, and safety inspections. This role serves as a technical resource and supports training or oversight of junior staff.
Responsibilities
- Perform advanced troubleshooting and repairs across mechanical, electrical, and HVAC systems
- Conduct inspections and recommend improvements or safety upgrades
- Coordinate repairs for critical infrastructure and emergency systems
- Train junior technicians and guide project prioritization
- Maintain compliance with building codes and internal safety standards
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency in electrical, HVAC, or mechanical repair
- Advanced use of diagnostic tools and CMMS platforms
- Ability to interpret technical documentation and engineering specs
Soft skills
- Leadership in task execution and safety adherence
- Analytical thinking and project management mindset
- Effective mentoring and technical communication
Education
- High school diploma or GED required
- Technical certification or associate’s degree strongly preferred
Certifications
- EPA 608 certification required for HVAC specialists
- OSHA 30 and trade-specific licenses (e.g., electrical, boiler) highly preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- 4–6 years of experience in complex maintenance environments
Lead Maintenance Technician
Position Overview
We’re hiring a Lead Maintenance Technician to oversee daily maintenance operations, delegate tasks, and ensure efficient, safe, and timely repair work across the facility. This role bridges technical execution and supervisory oversight.
Responsibilities
- Assign daily work orders to team members and monitor completion
- Serve as a subject matter expert for complex maintenance issues
- Ensure equipment, tools, and inventory are maintained and available
- Support hiring, training, and development of maintenance staff
- Liaise with other departments on operational needs and project planning
Requirements
Hard skills
- Comprehensive technical expertise across multiple maintenance disciplines
- Ability to lead maintenance operations and manage small project schedules
- Experience with CMMS tracking and KPI reporting
Soft skills
- Leadership and team development capabilities
- Decision-making under pressure
- Excellent communication and cross-department collaboration
Education
- High school diploma required; associate’s degree preferred
Certifications
- OSHA 30, EPA 608, and relevant trade licenses required
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years of maintenance experience, including leadership or lead tech role
Maintenance Supervisor
Position Overview
We are seeking a Maintenance Supervisor to lead the maintenance department, oversee equipment reliability programs, and drive compliance with safety and operational standards. This role manages personnel, budgets, vendors, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Responsibilities
- Supervise maintenance technicians, assigning and reviewing work orders
- Develop preventive and predictive maintenance schedules
- Ensure compliance with OSHA, building codes, and internal protocols
- Manage vendor contracts, supply ordering, and repair timelines
- Maintain reports on downtime, repair costs, and safety performance
Requirements
Hard skills
- Deep technical knowledge of building systems, machinery, and compliance standards
- Experience managing maintenance programs and vendor relationships
- Familiarity with KPI reporting, budgeting, and CMMS platforms
Soft skills
- Leadership, conflict resolution, and team motivation
- Operational planning and prioritization
- Strong written and verbal communication
Education
- Associate’s degree or trade certification required; bachelor’s preferred
Certifications
- OSHA 30 required
- HVAC certification, electrical license, or other trade certifications highly preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- 6–8 years of experience in facilities or industrial maintenance, with 2+ in a supervisory role