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Maintenance Technicians in Virginia fall into three different classes, and this is just the general technicians, not those who specialize in systems like plumbing, HVAC, or structural.
This is an occupation that is responsible for keeping machinery and mechanical systems running smoothly.
These technicians do both preventive chores as well as fixing what doesn’t work.
If you like problem-solving, working with your hands, and making sure the world runs smoothly, this may be the perfect career for you.
Article Table of Contents
- 1 Steps to Becoming a Maintenance Technician in Virginia
- 2 Licensing Requirements for Maintenance Technicians in Virginia
- 3 Maintenance Technician Programs in Virginia
- 4 How Much Does a Maintenance Technician in Virginia Make?
- 5 Frequently Asked Questions
- 5.1 How much money do maintenance technicians in Virginia make?
- 5.2 Are there different licenses available for maintenance technicians in Virginia?
- 5.3 What kind of tools should I invest in as a maintenance technician in Virginia?
- 5.4 What kind of equipment might I be asked to operate as a maintenance technician in Virginia?
- 5.5 If I choose to pursue a college degree, what one is best for a maintenance technician position in Virginia?
Steps to Becoming a Maintenance Technician in Virginia
1. Get a Diploma
You will need at least your high school diploma or a GED.
Show a skill in science and math, and the ability to reason.
2. Take a Vocational Program
Vocational schools regularly offer training in HVAC, electrical maintenance, or industrial maintenance.
This is the fastest track.
3. Get an Associate’s Degree
Earning an Associate’s degree in either industrial maintenance or mechatronics will open up more opportunities.
As more things become computerized, this may be the best option for higher-paying jobs.
4. Get Safety Certificates from OSHA
These certificates are often a requirement regardless of where you work.
5. Get Specialization Certificates
Handling refrigerants, doing plumbing, or working with electrical components requires specialized certificates to demonstrate your knowledge of these subjects.
Often, you will be required to take a written test.
6. Get any Needed Equipment Handling Certificates
If your desired position requires specialized vehicles, such as a forklift or aerial lift, you will need a certificate.
7. Specialize if Desired
Having one skill that you excel in can gain you higher pay, especially if it is a rarer specialty.
Licensing Requirements for Maintenance Technicians in Virginia
In Virginia, maintenance technicians need a license.
Three classes are based on the monetary value of the jobs being performed.
Of the three, Category C requires the highest skills.
You will need to pass a course in the subject and take a test before gaining this license.
Maintenance Technician Programs in Virginia
Danville Community College
This program is an intensive one, calling for 700 hours over 16 weeks to earn a certificate in Industrial Maintenance.
The program includes hands-on experience through labs and simulations to help students get a feel for the actual work.
Subjects covered include the fundamentals of electrical and electronics, as well as the fundamentals of pneumatic, hydraulic, and mechanical systems.
You will learn how to interpret drawings, specifications, and other documents, learn the necessary math skills for this type of work, and learn how to maintain, repair, and install electrical components.
Virginia Peninsula Community College
This school offers a certificate in Facilities Maintenance Technician and is intended to prepare individuals to work as maintenance technicians in apartment buildings.
In some cases, you may be able to take this course for free.
If not, the cost is $170.30 per credit hour for Virginia residents and military veterans.
Students from other states pay $358.9 per credit hour.
The course covers a multitude of areas, including safety, tool usage, interior maintenance, electrical maintenance, plumbing maintenance, and repair.
You will also learn HVAC systems, maintenance, and repair of household appliances, and employability skills to help you find a position.
Piedmont Virginia Community College
This Maintenance Technician program will make you eligible to sit for the Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician Exam.
It costs $164.40 per credit hour and runs for 80 hours.
The skills learned in this course will have you confident in being able to maintain preventive and repair work on a variety of apartment and residential facilities.
A few of the many areas explored are curbside appeal, preventative and maintenance schedules, painting, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC repairs, household appliance repairs, lock and key services, safety, and more.
Virginia Western
The Maintenance Technology certificate at this school is an 18-hour course that can be completed in 1–2 semesters.
The entire cost is $3240.
Students will take Air Conditioning and Refrigeration I and II, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Controls I and II, Blueprint Reading, and Applied Hydraulics and Pneumatics.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Danville Community College | 1008 S Main St, Danville, VA 24541, United States |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | 99 Thomas Nelson Dr, Hampton, VA 23666, United States |
| Piedmont Virginia Community College | 501 College Dr, Charlottesville, VA 22902, United States |
| Virginia Western | 3094 Colonial Avenue Roanoke, VA 24015 |
How Much Does a Maintenance Technician in Virginia Make?
The average pay of a maintenance technician in Virginia is $58,278, or $28 per hour.
The pay range throughout the state is $45,600 to $79,313.
The amount of money a maintenance technician makes is affected by where they work, such as residential or industrial, how much experience they have, whether they work for an organization or independently, and whether or not they are a general maintenance technician or specialist.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | $48,080 |
| Chesapeake | $46,525 |
| Norfolk | $46,625 |
| Richmond | $53,984 |
| Newport News | $50,753 |
| Alexandria | $57,402 |
| Hampton | $53,453 |
| Roanoke | $52,384 |
| Portsmouth | $49,508 |
| Lynchburg | $49,364 |
Regional Salary in Virginia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | 960 | $50,980 | $24.51 | $70,550 | $31,810 |
| Charlottesville, VA | 1,030 | $49,500 | $23.80 | $63,930 | $34,420 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 690 | $52,040 | $25.02 | $77,610 | $33,010 |
| Lynchburg, VA | 830 | $51,840 | $24.93 | $76,750 | $30,420 |
| Richmond, VA | 5,320 | $52,950 | $25.46 | $77,830 | $34,280 |
| Roanoke, VA | 1,190 | $48,430 | $23.29 | $74,140 | $29,530 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | 520 | $52,060 | $25.03 | $79,730 | $29,940 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 6,760 | $50,390 | $24.23 | $75,400 | $31,560 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | 760 | $53,000 | $25.48 | $77,650 | $33,960 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money do maintenance technicians in Virginia make?
The average pay of a maintenance technician in Virginia is $58,278, or $28 per hour.
The pay range throughout the state is $45,600 to $79,313.
The amount of money a maintenance technician makes is affected by where they work, such as residential or industrial, how much experience they have, whether they work for an organization or independently, and whether or not they are a general maintenance technician or specialist.
Are there different licenses available for maintenance technicians in Virginia?
Yes, there are three classifications of licensing for maintenance technicians in Virginia.
A and B don’t require a specific class of training, but for level C, you need to pass a course and exam to get your certificate.
You will also need any specialized licenses, such as those that are required in fields such as refrigeration and HVAC.
What kind of tools should I invest in as a maintenance technician in Virginia?
If you work for a company, you won’t need to have your own tools, but if you go into business for yourself, you will need such common tools as a tape measure, hammer, screwdrivers, and wrenches.
You will also need things like a drill, possibly a nail gun, and testing equipment.
Your specialty, if you have one, will dictate what other tools you may need to possess.
What kind of equipment might I be asked to operate as a maintenance technician in Virginia?
You may be required to operate such things as a forklift or aerial lift.
Working on electrical lines requires specialized equipment.
In addition, a service van may be part of your job.
If I choose to pursue a college degree, what one is best for a maintenance technician position in Virginia?
Earning an Associate’s degree in either industrial maintenance or mechatronics is your best bet.
You can also take extra courses in specializations that focus on computerized systems, such as smart technology, and courses that show your ability to problem-solve and reason effectively.
Maintenance Technician by State