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Maintenance technicians are skilled professionals responsible for the installation, inspection, maintenance, and repair of different electrical and mechanical systems.
They troubleshoot issues that occur with these systems and perform routine maintenance to ensure continuous functionality.
A day in the life of a maintenance technician usually involves adhering to safety protocols, maintaining records, ordering replacement parts, diagnosing problems, conducting inspections, and completing repairs.
To become a maintenance technician, most employers require an educational training program that gives students foundational knowledge of different systems.
If you’re interested in becoming a maintenance technician in Colorado, keep reading to learn more about the process!
Article Table of Contents
Steps to Become a Maintenance Technician in Colorado
There are several steps to becoming a maintenance technician in Colorado, with the first being the acquisition of the necessary certification.
Although this may not be required for every position, or existing experience may outweigh the educational aspect, it can increase your earning potential and job prospects.
These are the steps to enter the field:
Step One: Research Requirements
The first step is to research requirements in your area of Colorado.
Different counties may have different requirements and certification program options.
The goal is to find industry-recognized certifications that employers accept.
Step Two: Select a Program
Once you understand the requirements, find a certification program that meets your educational and career goals.
Two popular certifications include CMRT (Certified Maintenance & Reliability Technician) and CMT (Certified Maintenance Technician).
Many programs work toward meeting the experience, educational, and training requirements.
Step Three: Meet the Educational Requirements
Many certification programs require a minimum of a high school diploma.
Others require a degree in a related field or a certain amount of maintenance technician experience.
Make sure to research the educational requirements for the program before applying.
Step Four: Gain Experience
Some programs require a specific amount of field experience before admitting students into the program.
This is because the curriculum focuses on expanding the practical knowledge with classroom concepts and having a fruitful discussion with other industry professionals on problem-solving, efficiency, and other topics.
Experience requirements can be met through on-the-job training, apprenticeships, or internships.
Step Five: Prepare for the Examination
Once you have completed the program, you must prepare for the certification exam.
Although the program provides all the knowledge needed to pass the exam, it’s still important to study the relevant material, including taking the practice exams.
This helps you become familiar with the content and exam format to improve your chances of success.
Step Six: Complete the Examination
Once you are prepared, it’s time to schedule and complete the exam.
Areas like general maintenance practices, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems will be on the exam, so it’s important to be well-prepared and confident on the day of the test.
Step Seven: Search for a Job
After you have completed the exam, you are granted the certification.
This will help you find a job within your desired field.
Join maintenance technician organizations within Colorado to hear more about job openings and utilize message boards and social media apps to find jobs via online sources.
Step Eight: Maintain the Certification
Even after you complete these steps, you are still required to maintain the certification via periodic renewal.
This could include earning a specific number of professional development units or completing continuing education classes.
The purpose of certification maintenance is to ensure you remain updated on the latest industry advancements and trends.
Licensing Requirements to Become
Colorado does not mandate any licensing requirements to become a maintenance technician.
However, specialized areas like electrical work or HVAC typically require licensure or certifications at a more local level.
Also, more employers are requiring new maintenance technicians to hold a CMRT certification.
It’s important to check with the city and county where you plan to work to ensure you meet or will meet the requirements after completing a training program.
Maintenance Technician Programs in Colorado
Community colleges and vocational schools across Colorado have in-person maintenance technician programs.
These are a few of the most popular:
Colorado Mountain College
Colorado Mountain College offers a Ropeway Maintenance Technician Certificate that focuses on the installation, maintenance, inspection, and repair of ski lifts in a snowy environment.
Given Colorado’s mountainous terrain, countless ski resorts need technical and skilled professionals.
This program is only four weeks long, with instruction from existing lift maintenance technicians, and prepares students to take the lift mechanic certification exam.
Pickens Technical College
The Facilities Maintenance Technician program offered by Pickens Technical College prepares students to engage in preventative maintenance, including repairs, and conduct simple inspections on commercial and residential properties.
Graduates will enter the workforce with foundational skills and knowledge of HVAC, major appliances, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and other systems.
The curriculum also covers lighting fixtures, ceiling/exhaust fans, window treatments, painting, walls, and floor maintenance.
The 31-credit program takes around one year to complete.
Pikes Peak State College
PPSC has an Industrial Mechatronics Maintenance Technology program that is available as a Certificate or an associate degree.
The curriculum focuses on providing students with the knowledge needed to enter the booming industrial automation field.
Students will learn technical communication, mechanical systems, programmable logic controllers, hydraulics, and electronics.
The one-year certificate program is available for electrical systems or electronics, while the associate degree is specific to mechatronics maintenance technology.
For those who want more flexibility, these schools offer online maintenance technician programs:
Penn Foster
As one of the leading online-only vocational schools in the U.S., Penn Foster offers an excellent Facilities Maintenance Technician Training program that focuses on the repair, inspection, and maintenance of industrial, commercial, and residential buildings.
The self-paced program costs $1,049 and takes around one year to complete.
Students will learn about different types of systems, safety, reading blueprints, equipment used in the field, and soft skills needed for success.
Western Colorado University
WCU offers a Maintenance Technician training program that focuses on advanced manufacturing.
This self-paced, 18-month program focuses on work holding principles, assembly and fabrication, robot installation and maintenance, fluid, mechanical, and electrical systems, inspection methods, Six Sigma, and troubleshooting.
The cost of the program is $1,700 with all fees and materials included.
Different funding options, including monthly payments, are available.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Colorado Mountain College | 3000 Co Rd 114, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601, United States |
| Pickens Technical College | 500 Airport Blvd, Aurora, CO 80011, USA |
| Pikes Peak State College | 5675 S Academy Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, United States |
| Penn Foster | 200 Hickory Street, Scranton, PA 18505 USA |
| Western Colorado University | 1 Western Way, Gunnison, CO 81231, USA |
Salary
The median annual U.S. salary for a maintenance technician is $60,505, with those in the 25th percentile making $54,922 and those in the 75th percentile earning $67,422.
In Colorado, the median salary is $61 $61,684 with pay ranging from $50,811 to $75,158.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Denver | $58,656 |
| Colorado Springs | $51,718 |
| Fort Collins | $51,466 |
| Aurora | $55,805 |
| Lakewood | $56,621 |
| Thornton | $57,085 |
| Arvada | $57,078 |
| Westminster | $54,554 |
| Greeley | $53,973 |
| Pueblo | $47,989 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a maintenance technician in Colorado?
The time commitment to become a maintenance technician in Colorado varies greatly depending on the candidate’s type of certification program, experience, and educational background.
The average amount of time ranges from a few months to two years to complete the training and earn the certification.
It’s important to note that some community colleges and vocational schools offer six-month programs.
The curriculum usually covers the basics of being a maintenance technician with courses like troubleshooting techniques, mechanical systems, electrical systems, and maintenance technology.
A two-year associate expands on these classes, but also requires core classes, like English, statistics, algebra, and social sciences.
Is a certificate program required for a career as a maintenance technician in Colorado?
Although this is not state-required, many potential employers want a more educated workforce and require you to complete some sort of training.
It also ensures entry-level candidates have the proper knowledge of the various systems they will be managing, thus reducing the amount of training required on the job.
What skill set is required for maintenance technicians in Colorado?
Being a maintenance technician requires a range of skills, including attention to detail, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
Also, knowledge of different equipment and maintenance systems, like machinery, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical, is critical.
Continuously working to hone and develop these skills will make you a more attractive candidate to future employers and help you move up the ladder faster.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Maintenance Technician
Maintenance Technician by State