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Do you love to get your hands dirty at work?
Are you interested in installing, troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining different types of equipment?
Have you always had a knack for technical solutions?
If so, then becoming a maintenance technician in Illinois may be the right career path for you!
Maintenance technicians are highly skilled professionals who work with different types of equipment in various industries, ranging from commercial and residential to manufacturing and industrial.
Maintenance technicians work in various locations that require regular repairs and maintenance.
If this sounds like the right career path, keep reading to learn more about the position!
Article Table of Contents
Steps to Become a Maintenance Technician in Illinois
For those interested in becoming a maintenance technician in Illinois, there are several steps that must be followed.
These include:
Step One: Ensure You Meet the Requirements
The first step on your career path to becoming a maintenance technician in Illinois is to ensure you meet the specific requirements for entering a training program.
The typical requirements include being 18 years old, passing a background check, and holding state-issued identification.
Step Two: Research Training Programs
The next step after meeting the requirements is to research different training programs.
You need to determine if you learn better in person or need the flexibility of online instruction.
It’s also important to define the amount of time you wish to dedicate to the training and your budget.
Training programs can last from six months to two years or longer if you plan to get a bachelor’s degree.
Step Three: Complete a Program
Once you have determined the best program to meet your educational and career goals, you must complete the requirements for graduation.
As mentioned, certificate programs will take under one year and provide a solid foundation to enter the field.
However, your knowledge will be expanded by taking a longer degree program, such as an associate’s degree.
You may also have a higher salary due to the extent of your knowledge learned from the longer program.
Step Four: Take the Certification Exam
Once you have the necessary training, you must study for the certification program.
Although maintenance technicians are not required to have a certification in Illinois, it will improve your career prospects and potentially increase your salary.
If you choose a more specialized field, you may need a certificate, according to the state.
The goal of the exam is to test your skills and knowledge in different areas of maintenance or specialization.
Step Five: Build a Robust Resume
Regardless of the need for a certificate, you must simultaneously build a strong resume that highlights your training, education, and experience.
Always include certifications and specialized skills, like plumbing or electrical work.
Step Six: Network and Apply for Jobs
Networking is a great way to find out about jobs in Illinois and your city.
By joining professional organizations and attending conferences and seminars, you will meet other maintenance technicians who can help your career.
While you are networking, utilize online job platforms to find open positions in the field, and start applying.
Step Seven: Maintain your Certification
The final step is to take continuing education courses that will maintain your certification.
Even if you only need to renew the certificate, taking these classes will ensure you remain updated on the latest industry technologies, news, processes, and concepts.
Licensing Requirements to Become
Although the State of Illinois does not require maintenance technicians to hold a license, the state could require specific licenses depending on the nature of the work.
For instance, a maintenance technician in HVAC or electrical systems may need specific certifications to work in the field.
Also, all maintenance technicians are required to comply with national and local safety regulations.
It’s important for Illinois-based technicians to remain updated on the latest industry regulations and standards to ensure they are continuously compliant.
To enter the field, all entry-level maintenance technicians must hold a high school diploma.
Most candidates prefer additional training in the form of a certificate or degree program that teaches students the basics of the career path so that they may be more efficient employees upon entering the workforce.
Also, earning certifications in specific areas can improve your job prospects, regardless of whether it is required.
Maintenance Technician Programs in Illinois
Illinois Central College
Illinois Central offers a comprehensive Industrial Maintenance certificate program that can be applied to the Industrial Maintenance Technology associate degree.
The program lasts 12 months for full-time students and costs $4,320, not including supplies and fees.
The program’s curriculum was designed to provide graduates with well-rounded knowledge of maintenance, repair, troubleshooting, installation, and safety.
Suburban College
SSC has a Manufacturing and Maintenance Technology program that covers manufacturing safety and math, maintenance, production in manufacturing, and quality and measuring in manufacturing.
This curriculum awards the Manufacturing Basics Certificate.
The other two programs offered by SSC are the Maintenance Technology I and II certificates, which each expand on the previous certificate curricula.
Universal Technical Institute
UTI offers an Industrial Maintenance Technician training program that was designed to provide hands-on training with industry instructors and a curriculum that fits industry needs.
During the 30-week program, students will learn about steam and boiler turbine operations, materials welding and processing, AC/DC electrical theory, safety compliance, and energy industry fundamentals.
Students will also learn more about metrology, advanced electrical and industrial controls, process technology, and gas turbine theory.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Illinois Central College | 1 College Dr, East Peoria, IL 61635, USA |
| Suburban College | 15800 State St, South Holland, IL 60473, United States |
| Universal Technical Institute | 2611 Corporate W Dr, Lisle, IL 60532, USA |
Salary
The median annual U.S. income for a maintenance technician is $60,500.
The median annual Illinois income for a maintenance technician is $62,500.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Chicago, | $60,616 |
| Aurora | $63,343 |
| Naperville | $59,297 |
| Joliet | $68,543 |
| Rockford | $57,434 |
| Elgin | $64,686 |
| Springfield | $51,670 |
| Peoria | $56,986 |
| Champaign | $52,724 |
| Waukegan | $65,261 |
Regional Salary in Illinois
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | 820 | $51,150 | $24.59 | $78,740 | $32,290 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | 1,400 | $53,980 | $25.95 | $75,130 | $34,110 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 48,480 | $58,030 | $27.90 | $80,950 | $35,620 |
| Decatur, IL | 700 | $56,840 | $27.33 | $74,920 | $31,990 |
| Kankakee, IL | 550 | $54,630 | $26.26 | $74,480 | $34,390 |
| Peoria, IL | 2,230 | $56,630 | $27.23 | $81,660 | $34,640 |
| Rockford, IL | 2,060 | $54,660 | $26.28 | $76,840 | $35,210 |
| Springfield, IL | 960 | $51,650 | $24.83 | $76,760 | $30,810 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of facilities in Illinois do maintenance technicians work in?
Depending on your interest and experience, maintenance technicians can work in a variety of environments, including the following:
- Commercial buildings – maintenance technicians within commercial buildings, like shopping centers and offices, manage the plumbing, lighting, and HVAC systems.
- Educational institutions – maintenance technicians in public and private schools, as well as vocational schools, and colleges and universities maintain the property and educational equipment.
- Healthcare facilities – healthcare environments, like doctors’ offices, hospitals, and surgical centers, need maintenance technicians to ensure the plumbing, electrical systems, and medical equipment are functioning correctly.
- Industrial facilities – manufacturing plants rely on maintenance technicians to ensure production equipment is operating smoothly and efficiently.
- Residential locations – maintenance technicians working on residential properties like condos, buildings, and apartment complexes manage maintenance tasks like HVAC, electrical work, and plumbing, and handle all related equipment repairs.
What are several of the career paths an Illinois maintenance technician can take?
Given the technical nature of the training and position, Illinois maintenance technicians have many career path options, including:
- Consulting – after gaining considerable experience in the field, you could become a maintenance consultant. In this position, you will provide guidance and advice to organizations on optimizing maintenance processes, troubleshooting issues, and best practices.
- Entrepreneurship – some technicians decide to start their own business. This involves offering maintenance services to commercial or residential clients or starting a specialized company that focuses on a specific area of maintenance technician work, such as electrical or HVAC systems.
- Facilities management – those who wish to get into the facilities management field will oversee the operation and maintenance of buildings and their facilities. This may include ensuring compliant buildings, coordinating maintenance schedules and repairs, and managing other technicians.
- Specialization – some maintenance technicians can specialize in an area of maintenance, like industrial machinery, plumbing, HVAC, or electrical systems. BY gaining special skills and knowledge, you can become an expert in the field and have access to additional opportunities and higher pay.
- Supervisory – with additional training and some experience, maintenance technicians can advance into a management position. Supervisors oversee a maintenance technician team, ensure maintenance tasks are thoroughly completed, and coordinate schedules.
How long does it take to become an Illinois maintenance technician?
The time to become certified and enter the workforce greatly varies based on experience, education, and desired certification.
The typical time range is from a few months to around two years, based on the educational path.
Community colleges and vocational schools that offer.
Maintenance Technician by State