How to Become a Maintenance Technician in Arizona

Are you seeking a career with job security, daily variety, and endless paths to grow?

If so, becoming a maintenance technician in Arizona might be the best option to meet your career goals.

From massive production plants and healthcare facilities to energy sites and apartment complexes, maintenance technicians work behind the scenes to ensure all equipment runs properly.

Many enter facilities maintenance to ensure the smooth operation of commercial and residential buildings, while others may be more manufacturing-focused.

Demand for talented maintenance technicians continues to be strong across many industries.

If this sounds like the career for you, keep reading about how to become a maintenance technician in Arizona!

Steps to Become a Maintenance Technician in Arizona

Step One: Ensure You Meet the Minimum Educational Requirements

Although there are no minimum state law requirements to become a maintenance technician, all employers require a training program before entering the field.

To enroll in a training program, you must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma.

Step Two: Research Career Requirements

Although you may have a basic idea of the responsibilities of a maintenance technician, it’s crucial to understand all aspects of the position.

The most common activities include:

• Adjust and calibrate machinery to meet specifications.
• Conduct preventive maintenance activities.
• Disassemble equipment for replacement or repair.
• Document routine checks, repairs, and preventative maintenance.
• Inspect and test equipment.
• Install new HVAC, building, and manufacturing equipment.
• Maintain equipment logs.
• Order replacement or new parts.
• Perform diagnostic testing and root cause analysis to uncover issues, then find solutions.
• Train production staff on performing routine maintenance.

Step Three: Find a Training Program

Since you meet the minimum educational requirements to enroll in a training program, you must research the best options available.

Budding maintenance technicians in Arizona can earn a certificate program as quickly as several months, a one-year diploma for expanded knowledge and skills, or a two-year associate degree, which gives extensive technical knowledge in the field.

If you are eyeing a future management position, then earning a four-year bachelor’s degree may be the best educational route, although it’s not required to enter the field.

It’s important to note that associate and bachelor’s degree programs often come with internships or apprenticeships for firsthand experience.

Step Four: Enroll in the Program

Maintenance technician training programs in Arizona teach students how to maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and install complicated mechanical and electrical systems or equipment for HVAC, home, building, and manufacturing maintenance.

Most curricula focus on computer-aided design, SolidWorks, how systems work together, the properties of motion, hydraulic and electrical functions, and critical pneumatic systems.

Step Five: Participate in an Internship

For those enrolled in longer programs, find an apprenticeship or internship, even if it’s not required.

This will allow you to transition more easily into the workforce with minimal on-the-job training and make you more marketable.

Although most maintenance technicians must complete one year of job training, already having field training allows you to convert classroom knowledge into practical learning.

Step Six: Prepare Your Resume

Once you have completed the training program and have some experience under your belt, it’s important to showcase these learnings on your resume to help prepare you to find a job.

It’s critical to highlight your workplace and educational achievements, skills, qualifications, and experience to show future employers that you are ready to hit the ground running.

Some training programs offer job placement assistance and other support activities like resume building and interviewing practice.

Step Seven: Find a Job

The final step in the process of becoming a maintenance technician in Arizona is to find a job.

Given the population boom in Arizona, maintenance technicians are needed across the state now more than ever.

Maintenance technicians can work in the aviation, construction, electronics, energy, food, manufacturing, HVAC, home, and commercial industries with their training and experience.

Licensing Requirements to Become

Arizona doesn’t have licensing requirements to become a maintenance technician.

However, you may need to be licensed for specific types of maintenance, like HVAC, electrical, or plumbing.

As the role expands, many employers are seeking more specialized maintenance technicians, and specific jobs could require certifications.

Since licensure is not required in the state, it’s important to become certified in specialty areas or join professional organizations to learn more about the latest in the industry and network.

Certifications require continuing education every few years to ensure your knowledge and skills remain updated as the industry changes.

There are three specific certifications for maintenance technicians:

• Maintenance and Reliability Certification – offered by the Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals.
• General Industry Certification – granted by the International Maintenance Institute.
• Facility Management Professionals – provided by the International Facilities Management Association.

Maintenance Technician Programs in Arizona

There are several in-state schools that offer maintenance technician training programs.

If none of those meet your goals, then look at enrolling in an online program.

In-Person Programs

Carrington College

The Maintenance Technician program offered by Carrington College is available in an online or in-person format.

Students will learn the value of national and safety practices, be able to compare electrical and mechanical measuring equipment, repair industrial equipment, maintain and service industrial machinery, and illustrate power transmission through electrical controls, like programmable logic controllers.

The in-person option of this program is available through the Trades Education Center located in Phoenix.

Central Arizona College

Central Arizona College offers an 18-month Maintenance Technician program that can be completed entirely online.

Tuition costs $1,700, including all books, fees, taxes, and other costs.

Students will learn work holding principles, assembly and fabrication processes, robot installation and maintenance, fluid, electrical, and mechanical systems, inspection methods, Six Sigma methodologies, and troubleshooting.

Universal Technical Institute (UTI)

The seven-month Industrial Maintenance Technician program offered by the Universal Technical Institute is a great option for those who are interested in working in an industrial environment.

The curriculum is comprised of classroom and hands-on lab work that covers the energy industry, safety compliance, DC electrical theory, and AC electrical theory.

Other classes include applied physics and practical math, basic diesel, fabrication, materials processing, metrology, process technology, gas turbine theory, electrical and industrial controls, and steam turbine operations.

Online Programs

Penn Foster

Another entirely online option is the Facilities Maintenance Technician program offered by Penn Foster.

The curriculum teaches students how to maintain, repair, and inspect issues that occur in industrial, residential, and commercial buildings.

The coursework includes workplace safety, tools, and equipment, how to read blueprints, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical skills.

The program is self-paced but must be completed within 12 months and costs $1,049.

Salary

The median annual maintenance technician compensation is $48,630, with pay ranging from $38,000 to $62,000.

The median salary for a maintenance technician in Arizona is $59,800, with pay ranging from $49,200 to $72,800.

Regional Salary in Arizona

Maintenance Technician by State