How to Become a Maintenance Technician in Maine

Being a maintenance technician means you keep things working.

One day, you might be replacing a broken latch; the next, you are troubleshooting a stubborn furnace.

In Maine, that kind of know-how is always needed.

The state’s busy hotels, seasonal rentals, and year-round businesses rely on skilled hands to keep guests comfortable.

From the stately homes of Kennebunkport to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, all the way to the Canadian border in Lubec, or even in the Highlands near Mount Katahdin, skilled maintenance technicians are in demand.

All of it happens in a place known for its hardworking spirit, dramatic coastline, and forest-covered mountains.

Article Table of Contents

Steps to Become a Maintenance Technician in Maine

The path to becoming a maintenance technician in Maine is pretty straightforward.

The road to success can also splinter if you want to focus on something more specific, like HVAC or aviation.

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most employers in Maine expect at least this level of education before considering you for a maintenance technician role. If you don’t have a high school diploma, look at the High School Completion/HiSET adult education system.
Enroll in postsecondary education. Not all paths to being a maintenance technician look the same. Education usually consists of being in a technical program, attending community college, or getting a vocational school degree.
Get hands-on experience. Start as a maintenance helper or apprentice. This is where you’ll learn how the work is done and what tools you’ll use every day. The education you get in a training role is just as valuable as formal education. Ideal candidates will have education and apprenticeships under their belts. Use Maine’s JobLink to look for apprenticeships by county.
Choose a career path. While jobs are available for general maintenance technicians, some specialty areas might increase your competitiveness and salary potential. This might include anything from HVAC techs to boiler operators to mechanical engineers. Keep in mind that you can become a maintenance technician in Maine with broad training and choose to focus on a specific niche later in your career, too.
Seek our certifications. For example, there’s a difference between being a Certified Maintenance & Reliability Technician (CMRT) and a Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP). Certifications prove you can operate and repair equipment safely, in addition to whatever work experience and references you bring.

Licensing Requirements to Become a Maintenance Technician in Maine

There’s a bit of a gray area when it comes to getting licensed to be a maintenance technician in Maine.

On the one hand, there isn’t an overarching license for general maintenance.

However, don’t let that sound like “no license is required.”

Jobs like being an elevator mechanic or electrician will require specific licenses.

You can check the Professional Licensing list through the State of Maine Professional and Financial Regulation website.

Keep in mind that some jobs might require specific licensing and additional certifications.

It becomes that much more important to read job descriptions thoroughly.

Maintenance Technician Programs in Maine

Let’s look at the maintenance technician programs across Maine, from the southern Maine beaches to the Canadian border.

Also, look for educational programs that run in tandem with an apprenticeship.

Central Maine Community College (CMCC) | Auburn, Maine

The maintenance technician program at CMCC is a virtual, go at your own pace program that includes 250 course hours and usually takes 18 months to complete.

Topics include equipment maintenance, HVAC basics, industrial robotics, and automation.

The syllabus also shows a mix of basic and advanced manufacturing education.

Southern Maine Community College (SMCC)

SMCC offers a robust buffet of maintenance technician programs that are more sorted by niche instead of one all-inclusive program.

The closest basic training for future maintenance techs is the Manufacturing Technician program.

Then, explore industrial technology, transportation maintenance, and HVAC programs (just to name a few).

Programs at SMCC range from a few weeks to associate degrees.

They also have a robust list of certification programs, too.

Northern Maine Community College (NMCC)

Look to NMCC to see the variety of opportunities in the maintenance technician field, but you won’t find a program that just covers general topics.

Computer-aided machining, electrical maintenance, and water treatment technology are just a few options that might fit into your training options.

University of Maine at Augusta (UMA)

If your maintenance technician plans include aviation, check out the Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS) at UMA.

Degrees include associate’s and bachelor’s in applied science.

The AMTS program lasts five semesters (2.5 years), covering 55 hours of coursework.

The training is guided to help students become FAA-certified Airframe & Powerplant technicians.

The Calais-based college includes many Applied Science programs that cover maintenance technician tasks, such as heating technology, heavy equipment maintenance, medical office technology, and electrical work.

Be sure to check what tools might be required for your preferred degree or training program before you commit.

School Name Address

Central Maine Community College (CMCC) | Auburn, Maine 1250 Turner St, Auburn, ME 04210, United States

Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) 2 Fort Rd, South Portland, ME 04106, United States

Northern Maine Community College (NMCC) 33 Edgemont Drive Presque Isle, ME 04769

University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) 46 University Dr, Augusta, ME 04330, USA

Washington County Community College (WCCC) College Dr, Calais, ME 04619, USA

School Name	Address
Central Maine Community College (CMCC) \| Auburn, Maine	1250 Turner St, Auburn, ME 04210, United States
Southern Maine Community College (SMCC)	2 Fort Rd, South Portland, ME 04106, United States
Northern Maine Community College (NMCC)	33 Edgemont Drive Presque Isle, ME 04769
University of Maine at Augusta (UMA)	46 University Dr, Augusta, ME 04330, USA
Washington County Community College (WCCC)	College Dr, Calais, ME 04619, USA

Salary

We turn to Salary.com to get the latest range for salary potential as a maintenance technician in Maine.

At the low end, you’re looking at around $50,000 a year, with the high end nearing $75,000.

The median salary is $60,000.

Turning to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we can see that the manufacturing sector pays the highest, with “Accommodation and Food Services” paying the lowest.

The job outlook for maintenance technicians is about average, with a 5% growth rate between now and 2033.

Annual Salary Range:
Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
Auburn	$60,299
Augusta	$58,822
Bangor	$57,957
Biddeford	$60,619
Lewiston	$60,299
Portland	$60,904
Saco	$60,783
South Portland	$60,904
Westbrook	$60,904
Windham	$60,861

Regional Salary in Maine

Region	Employed	Avg. Annual Salary	Avg. Hourly Pay	Top 10% Annual Salary	Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Bangor, ME	560	$49,170	$23.64	$66,510	$35,360
Lewiston-Auburn, ME	330	$54,030	$25.98	$81,780	$37,640
Portland-South Portland, ME	2,370	$55,030	$26.46	$75,810	$38,960

* Salary information based on the May 2024 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Maintenance and Repair Workers, General, OCC Code 49-9071, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the annual fees for holding my license in Maine?

There isn’t one standard answer to this question, since the positions that require licensing range from helping planes fly to keeping groundwater safe.

Expect to spend anywhere from $50 – $100 to take the licensing exam.

Again, the Maine Professional & Financial Regulation Board will have specific numbers on the website under the appropriate category.

Are all of Maine’s maintenance technician jobs focused on technology?

No.

We reviewed dozens of maintenance technician jobs across Maine, including those in healthcare, government, and emergency services.

Sometimes this job requires taking out the trash or plowing snow.

This is another reason to choose a specialty if you don’t want to do basic groundskeeper tasks as a maintenance technician.

Can I get college credit toward being a maintenance technician while I’m still in high school in Maine?

Yes.

Many Maine high schools partner with career and technical education (CTE) centers and community colleges, allowing students to take trades-related courses for college credit.

Programs often cover areas like electrical, HVAC, and building maintenance so that you can graduate with a head start toward a maintenance technician career.

What can newcomers expect during the first few months as a maintenance technician in Maine?

One of the most important things to know is that on-the-job training is a huge part of the maintenance technician’s life.

You might spend a year or two (or three!) learning from more experienced workers.

You’ll need to have a desire to learn and possibly be more hands-off for the first part of your career to build the skills you’ll need to be more independent.

What does the career path for a Maintenance Technician look like in Maine?

Those who enter the field can look forward to eventually moving to a senior or supervisory role, with the potential to become an operations manager down the road.