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Thinking about maintenance work in Maryland?
You’ll find steady demand across hospitals, universities, ports, and federal facilities.
Expect a mix of modern labs and older buildings that require ongoing maintenance.
Security clearances can come into play near D.C.
Weather is a factor, from humid summers to icy winters and coastal corrosion.
If you stack electrical or HVAC skills, you’ll move up faster.
Here’s how to get trained, hired, and growing.
Plus, we’ll help you figure out what kind of salary to expect as you become a maintenance technician in Maryland.
Article Table of Contents
Steps to Become a Maintenance Technician in Maryland
- Earn your high school diploma or GED.
This is the baseline requirement for nearly every maintenance tech job. If you still need it, most Maryland community colleges offer adult education courses to help you prepare for the GED. - Meet testing or assessment requirements.
Some programs require minimum ACT scores, WorkKeys certification, or a mechanical aptitude test like the Bennett Mechanical Comprehension Test. Check your school’s entry standards before applying. - Complete a maintenance technician or related program.
Maryland community colleges and trade schools offer one- to two-year programs. An associate’s degree can improve job prospects and starting pay. - Gain hands-on experience.
Look for apprenticeships or entry-level jobs that provide on-the-job training. Real-world practice with tools, systems, and troubleshooting will make you more valuable to employers. You might also be able to save money on tuition while earning a paycheck if you score an apprenticeship. Look through the options and locations of the Maryland Department of Labor Apprenticeship and Training Program. - Add specialty certifications.
Credentials in HVAC, electrical systems, or industrial safety can expand your skills and qualify you for higher-paying positions. During your first year or two, you’ll get a taste of all the topics to see if there’s a specialty you want to pursue. - Apply for jobs and keep learning.
Technology changes fast in this field, so continuing education and employer training can help you move up. Look into business classes if you’d like to be in management down the road, or even open your own contracting company!
It’s also worth mentioning to be very selective when searching for maintenance technician jobs.
A maintenance assistant or maintenance worker likely has more duties like groundskeeping and janitorial than fixing broken equipment.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Maintenance Technician in Maryland
Maryland does not issue a single “maintenance technician” license. Instead, you need licensing for specific trades you perform.
For example, electrical work requires a state or local electrician’s license, HVAC work requires a journeyman or master HVACR license, and plumbing requires licensing through the State Board of Plumbing.
Fees vary but are generally $20 to $75 for applications, with renewals every two years.
Positions in schools, hospitals, government facilities, or jobs involving regulated systems are most likely to require licensed skills.
Even if your role is general maintenance, having one or more trade licenses can boost your pay and job options.
You can learn more about licensing requirements in Maryland through the state Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.
Maintenance Technician Programs in Maryland
You’ll find plenty of schools that offer maintenance technician programs in Maryland, but it’s worth noting that any apprenticeship might require education at a specific school.
Frederick Community College
Frederick Community College (FCC) offers an Industrial Maintenance Technician training program, which includes about 84 hours of hands-on classes in industrial print reading, electrical fundamentals, controls, and preventive maintenance.
That means real tools, real equipment, and instruction that local manufacturers help shape.
If you’re curious where that leads, their Logistics & Production Technology courses (think robotics, hydraulics, PLCs, biotechnology equipment) layer on modern systems and include industry credentials.
Harford Community College
Also, consider the Building Maintenance certificate through Harford Community College.
This course covers electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and carpentry basics.
It’s a solid all-rounder for building systems work.
If you want something more hands‑on with engineers, the Applied Engineering Technician track jumps into electrical controls and component work, which is great prep for factory or lab environments.
Tuition costs depend on where you live.
Residents of Hardford County should expect to pay about $144 per credit hour (before fees), and non-Maryland residents are looking at about $355 per credit hour.
Montgomery College
The Certificate for Apartment Maintenance (CAMT) from Montgomery College in Rockville is another option.
This program lasts 12 weeks, usually two nights a week in the evening.
Look for the next session on the college website.
Expect to pay about $203 per credit hour.
It’s also worth noting that this college offers non-credit basic repair classes, which can help anyone sharpen their skills before enrolling in a program.
Hagerstown Community College
While the course offered through Hagerstown Community College seems like a traditional brick-and-mortar program, this is a virtual offering through ed2go.
The cost is $1,695 for an 18-month program that earns you a Maintenance Technician Certificate at the end.
You go at your own pace.
When applying for this program, be clear if you’re choosing the one that comes with or without tools, because the programs listed with tools will cost closer to $3500.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Frederick Community College | 7932 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21701, United States |
| Harford Community College | 401 Thomas Run Rd, Bel Air, MD 21015, United States |
| Montgomery College | 51 Mannakee St, Rockville, MD 20850, United States |
| Hagerstown Community College | 11400 Robinwood Dr, Hagerstown, MD 21742, USA |
Salary for Maintenance Technicians in Maryland
Looking at the average income for maintenance technicians in Maryland, we see that the median wage is $62,386.
At the lowest range, expect the job to start around $51,389.
The highest-paid maintenance technicians in Maryland bring in $76,014 annually.
Maryland’s state income tax ranges from 2% to 5.75% depending on your taxable income.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Baltimore | $54,805 |
| Columbia | $48,029 |
| Germantown | $55,635 |
| Silver Spring | $54,094 |
| Frederick | $63,103 |
| Waldorf | $69,441 |
| Glen Burnie | $54,322 |
| Rockville | $58,528 |
| Bowie | $54,866 |
| Annapolis | $52,229 |
Regional Salary in Maryland
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 10,150 | $53,210 | $25.58 | $73,660 | $35,610 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | 1,050 | $49,440 | $23.77 | $69,950 | $31,200 |
| Lexington Park, MD | 540 | $52,230 | $25.11 | $72,420 | $34,710 |
| Salisbury, MD | 630 | $48,150 | $23.15 | $61,620 | $32,140 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I need to buy tools to work as a maintenance technician in Maryland?
Most employers expect you to bring basic hand tools such as wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, a tape measure, and a multimeter.
Larger or specialized equipment is typically provided on-site.
Some union or apprenticeship programs supply starter kits, but over time, you may invest in specialty tools for your trade.
What shifts do maintenance workers get assigned in Maryland?
Shifts depend on the employer.
Facilities that run 24/7, like hospitals, manufacturing plants, and government buildings, often require night, weekend, or rotating shifts.
Preventive maintenance can happen during off-hours, while emergencies can put you on call.
Seniority usually improves your chances for preferred schedules.
What kind of weather can I expect working as a maintenance tech in Maryland?
Maryland has four distinct seasons.
Summers are hot and humid, winters can bring snow and freezing rain, and spring and fall are generally mild.
Coastal areas can see nor’easters and occasional tropical storm remnants.
Outdoor or unheated work requires preparation for heat, cold, and wet conditions.
What industries hire the most maintenance technicians in Maryland?
Manufacturing, aerospace, biotech, maritime, and food processing are major employers.
Healthcare systems, universities, power utilities, government facilities, commercial property management, and transportation hubs like ports and rail also offer steady demand.
Multi-skilled technicians with electrical or HVAC credentials tend to find the most opportunities.
Maintenance Technician by State