Facilities Maintenance Technician
Facilities Maintenance Technicians are responsible for a variety of systems and issues related to a building- specifically the HVAC/R equipment, plumbing, repairing electrical or mechanical equipment, and repairing the building and floors as needed. This career requires some training beyond a high school diploma, which can be on-the-job, and has room for growth.
Also known as: Facilities Maintenance Engineer, HVAC Maintenance Technician, Building Mechanic, Maintenance Engineer, Maintenance Mechanic/Technician
Pay Scale
$47,630 in 2021 in WA
$43,180 in 2021 in U.S.
Education
High School Diploma, Certificate, Associate’s
Projected Opportunities
4,600 through 2030 in WA
160,100 through 2031 in U.S.
Career Path
A facilities maintenance technician may begin as an entry-level job or obtain a certificate/associate before starting. There are many opportunities for advancement from there. Techs may go on to become specialty equipment technicians and advance to commercial service technicians or they may begin an apprenticeship or complete an associate’s degree to become a stationary engineer, they can also move into a building automation systems trainee to become a building automation systems technician.
Training & Requirements
Training
Facilities Maintenance Technicians require some kind of training beyond a high school diploma which can be either on-the-job training, a certificate, or an associate’s degree. Professionals in this career will likely need continuing education to move up to higher paying jobs.
Required Skills
- Manual dexterity and steadiness
- Ability to tell when something is wrong or likely to go wrong, and whether you can fix it or if a specialist (like an electrician) will need to come in
- Troubleshooting and decision making
- Knowledge of machines, tools, maintenance, and of building construction
Responsibilities
- Perform routine maintenance such as inspecting motors or belts, checking fluid levels, and replacing filters
- Inspect or test machinery to diagnose machine malfunctions
- Repair machines, equipment, and structures using appropriate tools
- Order parts, supplies, or equipment as necessary