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Where do maintenance technicians work?
Maintenance technicians work in various fields centered on machinery and keeping equipment running smoothly in a wide range of settings, such as factories, hospitals, hotels, schools, apartment buildings, industrial production, clothing and food manufacturers, and more!
The advantages of the vocation include the satisfaction of helping the world run a little more smoothly.
Other job satisfactions include:
- Opportunity to advance in a career.
- Each day brings a variety of tasks and fresh challenges, and the satisfaction of seeing work to completion.
- The chance to work independently at times and yet have the input of colleagues, teammates, and clients,
- Good pay and benefits.
- There is always a demand for skilled maintenance technicians.
Maintenance technicians inspect and perform preventative maintenance on all types of equipment, diagnose and identify mechanical or machinery problems, and make necessary repairs to ensure the proper function of various industrial machines, systems, and equipment.
The industrial maintenance technicians also install new equipment and systems and troubleshoot existing ones to guarantee optimal performance.
As maintenance technicians, candidates are responsible for conducting general maintenance tasks, troubleshooting, and executing preventative maintenance procedures to ensure optimal performance.
Article Table of Contents
- 1 Steps to Become a Maintenance Technician in Louisiana
- 2 Licensing Requirements to Become a Maintenance Technician
- 3 Maintenance Technician Programs in Louisiana
- 4 Salary
- 5 Frequently Asked Questions
- 5.1 I'm considering earning certification to help with my job prospects as a maintenance technician. What are some certifications that might advance my career?
- 5.2 I'm considering training to become a maintenance tech. What are some reasons techs choose the job, and what can I expect in day-to-day work?
- 5.3 What does the future employment picture look like for maintenance technicians in the Bayou state?
Steps to Become a Maintenance Technician in Louisiana
While a high school diploma or GED is the minimum educational requirement, many employers may prefer candidates with vocational training or an associate’s degree in a related field.
For many candidates, completing a maintenance technician or related academic program helps them acquire skills, confidence, experience, and industry contacts.
In addition, many educational programs and training centers provide internships that can give candidates in the maintenance technician field the hands-on training, skills, and experience necessary to begin a career or grow in their vocation in the Bayou State.
The next step is obtaining the necessary licenses and certifications, such as an HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) certification, an electrical license, or a plumbing license, depending on the specific scope of work the candidate is interested in as a field of specialization.
As in any profession, the road to success often becomes easier with contacts and peers.
To gain a solid career foundation, consider joining a professional organization and working on creating networking opportunities.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Maintenance Technician
There is no general state-wide license for basic work tasks for general maintenance technicians in Louisiana.
That said, some specialized jobs, such as HVAC work, require certification.
Economic thresholds impact licensing over $10,000.
Plus, a valid driver’s license and the appropriate business insurance are required if driving is part of the work assignment.
Contractor license for HVAC Maintenance work: HVAC technicians working on commercial or residential projects need a contractor’s license from the LSLBC.
To receive an HVAC contractor license, candidates must be at least 18, hold a high school diploma or equivalency, submit a commercial application, supply a financial statement affidavit, and pass the mandated exams.
Maintenance Technician Programs in Louisiana
South Louisiana Community College
Industrial Maintenance Technician Program
Learn the skills to become a maintenance technician in this 15-week, 450-hour program uniting classroom instruction and valuable experience.
Candidates discover the skills to install, maintain, and operate industrial machinery and equipment, including electrical systems, pumps, motors, production machinery, PLC controls, pneumatics and hydraulics, solar/wind systems, and robotics.
Contact Information
- 908 Ember Dr. / New Iberia, LA 70560
- (337) 373-0185
- https://www.solacc.edu/continuing-education/industrial-maintenance-technician
Delgado Community College
Industrial Maintenance Technology
Students learn to install, maintain, and repair industrial equipment and machinery, including pumps, motors, pneumatics, production machinery, and hydraulic systems.
They also gain skills in testing, adjusting, and repairing pneumatic and hydraulic systems and securing supplemental equipment like hoses, gates, valves, and mechanical, electrical, and electronic control devices.
Candidates gain mastery of the general knowledge needed in industrial maintenance, including mechanical schematics, mechanical applications, pump systems, electric motor applications, and safety.
Mastering the correct tools and understanding their proper application is essential for appraising, maintaining, and fixing machinery issues.
The program can be completed in around eighteen months, on average.
Contact Information
- Delgado River City Site and Advanced Manufacturing Center
- 709 Churchill Parkway / Avondale, LA 70094
- (504) 342-3420
- https://www.dcc.edu/about/locations/river-city/default.aspx
Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College
Industrial Maintenance Technology Program
Candidates engage in an educational program that teaches the skills and knowledge to become successful industrial maintenance technicians.
Students gain skills and knowledge through classroom instruction and practical experience, learning to install, maintain, and repair industrial equipment and machinery.
Hands-on instruction gives students the skills and experience to install, maintain, and troubleshoot mechanical and electrical components.
Options include:
- Technical Diploma (TD)
- Certificate of Technical Studies (CTS)
- Career and Technical Certificate (CTC)
Contact Information
- 2010 N. Market Street / Shreveport, LA 71107
- (318) 676-7811
- https://www.nltcc.edu/academics/industrial-maintenance-technology
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| South Louisiana Community College | 908 Ember Dr. / New Iberia, LA 70560 |
| Delgado Community College | 709 Churchill Parkway / Avondale, LA 70094 |
| Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College | 2010 N. Market Street / Shreveport, LA 71107 |
Salary
In Louisiana, the average salary for a maintenance technician ranges between $52,219 and $64,105.
The average yearly salary is $57,528, which comes to an hourly rate of $28.
The salary of a maintenance technician is impacted by variables such as the industry, company size, experience-specific skills, location, and more.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| New Orleans | $47,253 |
| Baton Rouge | $46,486 |
| Shreveport | $45,948 |
| Metairie | $49,171 |
| Lafayette | $44,446 |
| Lake Charles | $40,612 |
| Bossier City | $40,794 |
| Kenner | $46,198 |
| Monroe | $47,573 |
| Alexandria | $48,722 |
Salary by Metro Area in Louisiana
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | 730 | $44,690 | $21.49 | $66,360 | $27,360 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 4,060 | $48,880 | $23.50 | $77,570 | $27,810 |
| Hammond, LA | 480 | $45,610 | $21.93 | $73,410 | $23,400 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | 870 | $45,470 | $21.86 | $65,900 | $27,460 |
| Lafayette, LA | 2,150 | $40,410 | $19.43 | $61,980 | $21,320 |
| Lake Charles, LA | 1,460 | $58,980 | $28.36 | $108,280 | $30,030 |
| Monroe, LA | 1,060 | $43,770 | $21.04 | $62,320 | $24,690 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 5,260 | $46,370 | $22.29 | $70,950 | $28,810 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | 2,040 | $46,680 | $22.44 | $73,710 | $27,770 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | 1,010 | $45,750 | $22.00 | $64,610 | $27,390 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm considering earning certification to help with my job prospects as a maintenance technician. What are some certifications that might advance my career?
Certifications not only help candidates learn skills, but they are also a great way to move up the career ladder.
And in some specializations, such as HVAC repair, certification is mandatory.
Here are some popular certifications that can aid maintenance technicians in building a strong career.
- General Maintenance Training Programs & Certifications for Technicians
- Certified Maintenance and Reliability Technician (CMRT) Certification
- Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma)
- Electrical Technician Certification
- EPA HVAC Certification
- Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET)
- General Maintenance Training Programs & Certifications for Managers
- Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional (CMRP)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Certified Professional Maintenance Manager (CPMM)
- Certified Plant Engineer (CPE)
- Facility Maintenance Certifications
- Building Systems Maintenance Certificate (SMC)
- Facilities Management Certificate (FMC)
- Facility Management Professional (FMP)
- Certified Facility Manager (CFM)
- Property Maintenance Certifications
- Certificate for Apartment Maintenance Technicians (CAMT)
- Certified Manager of Maintenance (CMM)
I'm considering training to become a maintenance tech. What are some reasons techs choose the job, and what can I expect in day-to-day work?
Candidates need various skills to succeed as industrial maintenance technicians.
The successful maintenance technician requires an understanding of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, plumbing, heating, and mechanical systems, and the ability to troubleshoot problems to ensure the equipment’s efficiency and safety.
Moreover, a good understanding of electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems and their operation is vital.
Candidates must also read and interpret wing diagrams, blueprints, schematic drawings, and other technical documentation.
Another skill to build is communication skills, including the ability to work and communicate effectively with clients and colleagues while being a self-starter and able to prioritize tasks.
Plus, candidates need strong problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities to diagnose and repair mechanical issues.
Attention to detail is also vital to identifying and fixing machinery problems quickly and accurately, performing proactive problem-solving, and envisioning and implementing preventative maintenance and enhanced procedures to keep equipment and machinery running at peak efficiency.
Each day brings different challenges and rewards.
On a given day, a maintenance technician might perform completely different duties.
Skills and tasks, for example, might require a candidate to adjust and calibrate equipment, detect problems through basic diagnostic tests, disassemble/reassemble equipment and machinery, and repair or replace malfunctioning components.
What does the future employment picture look like for maintenance technicians in the Bayou state?
Overall employment in installation, maintenance, and repair occupations is expected to grow on average at the same rate as all occupations from 2023 to 2033.
Thanks to employment growth, approximately 606,200 openings are expected each year in the maintenance technician vocations.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Maintenance Technician
Maintenance Technician by State