The Cowboy State is a place where wide-open skies meet hard-working hands.
Here, maintenance technicians are the unsung heroes keeping Wyoming’s wheels turning.
They’re the fix-it pros who can coax life back into a stubborn motor, patch up a misbehaving apartment generator before the next snowstorm, and keep essential mining systems running without missing a beat.
Successful maintenance techs blend a mix of training, certifications, and hands-on grit to build a career that’s as steady as a Wyoming sunrise.
Ready to turn your knack for problem-solving into a paycheck?
Here’s the roadmap to making it happen.
Article Table of Contents
Steps to Become a Maintenance Technician in Wyoming
Being a maintenance tech in the 10th largest state in the USA requires tenacity.
It also depends on a strong personal desire to succeed.
Many of the smaller towns and homesteads are hours away from larger cities such as Cheyenne, making an experienced general maintenance technician a necessity for many areas.
Maintenance, whether general or field-focused, is a strong entry-level job for both men and women.
If this sounds like an interesting career, here are a few general guidelines for would-be maintenance technicians.
Step 1: Research Being A Maintenance Technician in Wyoming
The best first step in becoming a maintenance tech in Wyoming is always to research the job and see if you meet the basic requirements.
Basic skills include patience and problem-solving.
Maintenance techs are always learning.
They know that a solution to a problem may need more than one approach.
Generally, to work as a Maintenance Technician in the Cowboy State, only a high school Diploma or equivalent is needed to begin this career journey.
Step 2: Consider Additional Certifications
Wyoming does not require state licenses for general maintenance technicians, but most employers and sectors encourage certification.
These are additional training certifications that provide a competitive edge.
Automotive mechanics can work without state-issued credentials.
However, most employers prefer Automotive Service Excellence certification (ASE).
Certificates from auto brands such as Mercedes, Ford, or Tesla demonstrate a willingness to learn.
HVAC Technicians handling refrigerants do not need a license, but must obtain EPA Section 608 Certification.
This is a federal requirement under the Clean Air Act for safe refrigerant handling.
Depending on the employer, additional training could be helpful for entry-level work, such as:
- General Safety Training
- OSHA
- Red Cross Certifications
- Heavy Machinery Certifications
- Commercial / Specialty Vehicle Licenses
Step 3: Gain Practical Experience
Real-world experience matters. Maintenance technicians in Wyoming are often generalists.
A highly rural state, techs are expected to know a little about everything to do with maintaining systems and equipment.
This makes hands-on experience even more important.
Working as an apprentice, intern, or in an entry-level role helps develop proficiency in:
- Hand and power tools
- Preventative maintenance
- Effective troubleshooting
- Computer proficiency
Soft skills such as teamwork and the ability to communicate effectively are also highly prized.
Some roles, like mine or oil rig maintenance or working for state agencies such as the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission, have minimum requirements:
- Class A – Commercial Driver’s License
- Defensive driving certification
- First Aid/CPR/AED
A highway maintenance technician for the Wyoming Department of Transportation needs a flagger certification, available online, which ensures traffic-direction skills in safety and construction zones.
Licensing Requirements for a Maintenance Technician in Wyoming
According to the State of Wyoming government website, there are no formal licenses or registration requirements for general maintenance technicians.
This allows individuals to begin their career without spending significant time and resources pursuing four-year degrees, before they can work.
However, for contractor-level trade work such as refrigeration, comprehensive electrical, or plumbing work, there are state-mandated education and certification requirements.
HVAC trade licenses in Wyoming include apprentice, journeyman, and master levels with fees and experience requirements.
These licenses do not apply to general maintenance technicians.
Maintenance Technician Programs in Wyoming
There are many schools, from online to vocational, and community colleges that offer maintenance training.
Some offer general instruction lasting six to eight months, while others are more specific, such as an Associate Degree in Industrial Maintenance or a focus on mine or airline maintenance.
The variety of choices emphasizes the importance of career goals when looking for maintenance technician programs in Wyoming.
These programs help build the technical proficiency employers look for—from basic repairs to advanced diagnostics.
Western Wyoming Community College (WWCC)
Western Wyoming Community College is located in Rock Springs.
It offers a robust maintenance education program with certificates, two-year, and four-year management degrees.
The Associate of Applied Science in Industrial Maintenance includes hands-on training in:
- Plant safety & industrial rigging
- Blueprint reading
- Bearings, lubrication & centrifugal pumps
- Mechanical drives, piping systems & alignment
- Hydraulics and pneumatic systems
The college also has pathways in mining and underground equipment maintenance.
Certificates require 36-credit hours, while associate degrees take 66-credit hours.
Program costs are based on $210 per credit hour plus additional campus-based support fees.
Financial aid is available for two and four-year degrees, but not for certificates.
The Green River campus of Western Wyoming Community College offers a comprehensive online diploma.
It is designed to provide foundational knowledge.
This 250-hour program is designed to be completed in 18 months.
However, it is self-paced and offers courses in:
- Industrial materials
- Shop Essentials
- Safety protocols
- Inspection and troubleshooting
- Grinding processes and equipment
- Electrical, mechanical, and pneumatic systems
- Welding
- The course can be used in:
- Rigging
- Robot maintenance and installation
- Fabrication and Assembly Processes
The cost of the Maintenance Technician program is $1,695, payable online.
Laramie County Community College (LCCC)
Located in the capital city of Cheyenne, the Laramie County Community College offers a Foundations of Skilled Trades Diploma program.
Housed in the Department of Business, Agriculture, and Technical Studies, the 18-credit-hour diploma prepares students for further studies:
- General maintenance technician
- Wind Energy technician
- HVAC technician
- Industrial electrician
- Electrical controls technician
Costs at Laramie County Community College average $210 per credit hour for state residents.
This cost does not include books, campus fees, and needed supplies.
WyoTech (WT)
A private technical college located in Laramie, WyoTech offers a nine-month in-person automotive and diesel maintenance technician program.
With a strong emphasis on diagnostic skills, coursework includes:
- Diagnostics
- Chassis structure and maintenance
- Engine management systems
The program costs $34,750, which includes hands-on lab, books, and equipment.
VA education benefits and FAFSA applications are considered.
School Name | Address |
---|---|
Western Wyoming Community College | 2500 College Dr, Rock Springs, WY 82901, United States |
Laramie County Community College | 1400 E College Dr, Cheyenne, WY 82007, USA |
WyoTech | 1889 Venture Dr, Laramie, WY 82070, USA |
Salary in Wyoming for Maintenance Technicians
The demand for trained and experienced maintenance technicians is growing throughout the United States.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that job availability will grow 17% by 2033.
The annual pay for a Wyoming Maintenance Technician ranges from $52,573 to $64,379.
Individuals with additional experience or certifications have a median annual salary of $73,721.
Additionally, management, education, or highly specialized fields such as oil, robotics, and mining maintenance can expect higher compensation and benefits packages of over $110,000.
Annual Salary Range:Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
---|---|
Cheyenne | $49,325 |
Casper | $46,803 |
Laramie | $47,054 |
Gillette | $50,246 |
Rock Springs | $42,781 |
Sheridan | $50,128 |
Green River | $41,336 |
Evanston | $45,734 |
Riverton | $39,864 |
Cody | $40,254 |
Regional Salary in Wyoming
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Casper, WY | 390 | $47,080 | $22.63 | $72,340 | $29,140 |
Cheyenne, WY | 580 | $51,690 | $24.85 | $81,730 | $32,550 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there fees for a maintenance tech license in Wyoming?
The State of Wyoming does not issue a specific license for maintenance technicians.
So there are no fees due to the State.
Do I need a college degree to be a maintenance technician in Wyoming?
No, the minimum education requirement for a maintenance technician in Wyoming is a high school diploma.
However, techs need to have mastery of many different inspection and repair skills, and employers usually look for education and experience.
What industries in Wyoming employ maintenance technicians?
Maintenance technicians are in demand.
With proper skills and training, a maintenance technician can work just about anywhere.
For example, outdoors or facility maintenance with the Wyoming Department of Transportation, for mining companies, hospitals, oil drilling and aviation companies, robotic companies, apartment complexes, and manufacturing facilities.