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Texas has the fastest-growing economy in the country and one of the fastest in the world.
Right now, there is no better place to become a maintenance technician.
Not only are there plenty of opportunities to work, but there are also many ways to get the experience and education you need to be successful in a career in this growing field.
Article Table of Contents
Steps to Become a Maintenance Technician in Texas
Graduating from high school or having a GED is usually required.
You need to find an employer who is offering an apprenticeship or a school that offers a course in maintenance technology.
Getting accepted and passing the course is essential.
Find an area of maintenance that interests you and then get an entry-level position.
This can be in industrial maintenance, aviation maintenance, or residential maintenance, just to name a few.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Maintenance Technician in Texas
Texas does not have requirements for a license for Maintenance Technicians, according to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
If, however, you are working as an Electrical Maintenance Technician, you will need to be licensed.
All those who work with electricity in the state of Texas must have a license.
To be eligible, you must have 8,000 hours of on-the-job training.
Electrical licenses are valid for one year.
Aviation licensing from the FAA is also required for those in Aviation Maintenance.
Maintenance Technician Programs in Texas
University of Texas, Arlington
https://eeccareertraining.uta.edu/training-programs/maintenance-technician/
The Maintenance Technician course at the University of Texas at Arlington is a part of their continuing education program.
You can take the course at your own pace.
The course is 250 hours and, on average, takes 18 months.
The course is taken completely online.
The cost of the course is $1795.
Payment plans are available.
The Maintenance Technician program has 21 sections covering a wide variety of maintenance skills.
Some of the basics include:
- Equipment Maintenance
- Industrial Robotics
- Automation Systems:
- Hydraulic, Electrical, and Mechanical Systems
Applicants should have basic computer skills.
Students will need:
- A PC or a Mac
- Windows 8 or higher
- macOS 10.6 or later
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- A personal email
The educational materials needed to complete the course are included in the cost.
Universal Technical Institute
https://www.uti.edu/locations/texas/houston/electrical-industrial-maintenance
Located in Houston, this course can be completed in seven to ten months.
Applicants should have a high school diploma or equivalent.
They should be 18 years or older or 16 with parental permission.
The cost of tuition is about $20,000, and financial aid is available.
It includes 14 hands-on courses with experienced instructors.
Topics covered include manufacturing, electronics, and automation.
Practical skills are learned in automation, robotics, hydraulics, and more.
This course prepares students for entry-level positions in industrial maintenance, machine repair, basic safety, and electrical theory.
Some of the classes include:
- Applied Math and Measuring Tools
- Electrical applications
- Electrical and Electronics Troubleshooting
- Mechanical Systems & Maintenance
Career advisors are available to help with a job search after graduation.
A diploma is issued on completion of the course.
Texas Southmost College
Texas Southernmost College offers an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance Technology or a specialized degree in Robotics.
Students are taught skills in electrical, troubleshooting, maintenance planning, programmable logic control systems, blueprint reading, and welding.
These learned skills prepare students for future employment in many different areas of Industrial Maintenance.
Tuition ranges from $3100 to $4900 per semester, depending on whether you live in the district, in Texas, or out of state.
It is a two-year program with 60 credits spread over four semesters.
All applicants will be tested for proficiency in math, reading, and writing.
Applicants under the age of 22 must prove that they have been immunized for bacterial meningitis.
To graduate, students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or above.
Grayson College
Grayson College offers a course in Industrial Maintenance Technology through its Center for Workplace Learning.
Students who complete the course receive a Level 1 Certificate.
The cost of the program is $4200.
This is a hybrid course.
The classes take place on Thursdays and Fridays from 9 am to 5 pm.
It takes place over two semesters with 352 hours and six courses.
The course is open to anyone, but you must be able to do math at an Algebra I level.
Graduates will have basic skills in the installation, assembly, troubleshooting, and repair of industrial equipment.
Tarrant County College
https://catalog.tccd.edu/preview_program.php?
Tarrant County College offers an Aviation Maintenance Technology: Airframe, AAS on their northwest campus.
This course prepares students for a career as an aircraft mechanic or an avionics technician.
This is a very popular program, and you can expect to spend a year on the waitlist.
Attendance is required at an aviation information session and a program-specific orientation.
If daytime classes are taken, the course takes two years.
If you opt for night classes, it takes three years.
Tuition for the 60-credit AS degree is $4440.
This course in Aviation Maintenance Technology prepares graduates for FAA licensing.
In addition to the AS degree, there are several certificates that can also be completed.
They range from 15 credits to 45 credits.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| University of Texas, Arlington | 701 S Nedderman Dr, Arlington, TX 76019, USA |
| Universal Technical Institute | 721 Lockhaven Dr, Houston, TX 77073, United States |
| Texas Southmost College | 80 Ft Brown St, Brownsville, TX 78520, USA |
| Grayson College | 6101 Grayson Dr, Denison, TX 75020, USA |
| Tarrant County College | 300 Trinity Campus Cir, Fort Worth, TX 76102, United States |
Salary
The average salary in the US for maintenance technicians is around $60,000.
Like most other areas of the country, Texas has areas where the pay is higher and where it is lower.
This usually has a lot to do with the cost of living in a particular area; pay is higher where the cost of living is higher.
Overall, the average pay for maintenance technicians in Texas is very close to the national average.
The pay rate is lower in the western part of the state, but in the east and central areas, it is from $54,000 to $67,900, averaging $59,700.
Texas is one of the most affordable states to live in, with an annual cost of living of $45,000.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Houston | $54,133 |
| San Antonio | $51,399 |
| Dallas | $56,863 |
| Austin | $53,186 |
| Fort Worth | $55,469 |
| El Paso | $42,926 |
| Corpus Christi | $44,438 |
| Plano | $53,528 |
| Lubbock | $46,882 |
| Laredo | $35,709 |
Regional Salary in Texas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene, TX | 840 | $41,120 | $19.77 | $58,590 | $27,970 |
| Amarillo, TX | 1,670 | $44,500 | $21.40 | $59,630 | $27,800 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 12,380 | $50,160 | $24.12 | $74,100 | $33,080 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | 1,880 | $46,920 | $22.56 | $77,770 | $27,990 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | 1,710 | $35,400 | $17.02 | $49,960 | $22,740 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | 1,320 | $42,050 | $20.21 | $59,730 | $28,120 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 2,350 | $42,440 | $20.40 | $59,680 | $28,430 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 39,830 | $49,970 | $24.02 | $74,490 | $33,550 |
| Eagle Pass, TX | 320 | $35,650 | $17.14 | $50,290 | $24,350 |
| El Paso, TX | 3,270 | $40,940 | $19.68 | $59,820 | $26,710 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 30,550 | $48,440 | $23.29 | $72,520 | $30,510 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | 1,570 | $45,260 | $21.76 | $65,170 | $29,610 |
| Laredo, TX | 870 | $36,010 | $17.31 | $47,970 | $23,970 |
| Longview, TX | 1,350 | $46,710 | $22.46 | $76,570 | $27,700 |
| Lubbock, TX | 1,660 | $40,800 | $19.62 | $57,350 | $27,360 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | 2,030 | $37,010 | $17.79 | $53,500 | $23,840 |
| Midland, TX | 1,170 | $49,700 | $23.89 | $72,260 | $33,010 |
| Odessa, TX | 700 | $46,160 | $22.19 | $68,590 | $28,390 |
| San Angelo, TX | 650 | $42,130 | $20.26 | $61,970 | $28,070 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 11,430 | $45,890 | $22.06 | $67,430 | $29,730 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | 650 | $45,310 | $21.78 | $61,730 | $29,860 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | 580 | $39,120 | $18.81 | $55,470 | $26,690 |
| Tyler, TX | 1,020 | $43,010 | $20.68 | $62,320 | $28,080 |
| Victoria, TX | 420 | $44,560 | $21.42 | $66,880 | $27,340 |
| Waco, TX | 1,510 | $44,700 | $21.49 | $61,960 | $28,640 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | 630 | $39,910 | $19.19 | $59,640 | $26,610 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are maintenance technicians in demand in Texas?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of industrial maintenance technicians is growing at an amazing rate of 17%.
With most other jobs increasing at about 5%, this is 12% more, and in Texas, the general positive job market makes it a great place to advance your career.
How long does it take to advance your maintenance technician job in Texas?
Most maintenance technicians find advancement from entry-level after about two years of experience.
Naturally, it depends on the company, the employee, and the need for advanced workers.
How does the pay for maintenance technicians in Texas compare to other states?
The salary for maintenance technicians in Texas is competitive, and the cost of living in most areas is affordable.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Maintenance Technician
Maintenance Technician by State