How to Become a Maintenance Technician in Alabama (2026)
Alabama employs about 16,660 maintenance technicians earning a median $43,630 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most maintenance technicians train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Alabama.
Compare Maintenance Technician Schools in Alabama
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville | 52.6 | $5,220 in-state / $9,090 out-of-state | $50,276 | 51% | Yes* | 88 mi |
| 2 | Southern Union State Community College | 51.3 | $5,040 in-state / $8,910 out-of-state | $50,973 | 36% | Yes* | 74 mi |
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| 3 | Bevill State Community College | 50.6 | $4,734 in-state / $8,346 out-of-state | $51,972 | 38% | Yes* | 75 mi |
| 4 | H Councill Trenholm State Community College | 45.2 | $5,190 in-state / $9,060 out-of-state | $34,122 | 16% | Yes* | 41 mi |
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| 5 | George C Wallace State Community College-Selma | 44.0 | $4,740 in-state / $8,610 out-of-state | $41,578 | 41% | Yes* | 28 mi |
| 6 | Shelton State Community College | 40.6 | $5,127 in-state / $8,997 out-of-state | $50,082 | 30% | Yes* | 49 mi |
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| 7 | Central Alabama Community College | 39.3 | $5,110 in-state / $8,980 out-of-state | $50,615 | 33% | Yes* | 50 mi |
| 8 | Lawson State Community College | 38.3 | $5,040 in-state / $8,910 out-of-state | $44,506 | 27% | Yes* | 45 mi |
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| 9 | J F Ingram State Technical College | 9.3 | $6,084 | Not reported | 21% | — | 28 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Alabama employs approximately 16,660 maintenance technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $43,630 1. Nationally, maintenance technician employment is projected to grow 3.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 159,800 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Maintenance Technician in Alabama, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (Alabama): $43,630 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Maintenance Technician in Alabama
How to become a Maintenance Technician in Alabama? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for maintenance technicians in Alabama.
How long does it take? Most paths into the maintenance technician field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do maintenance technicians earn in Alabama? The median annual wage for maintenance technicians in Alabama is $43,630 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $29,070 and experienced professionals can earn $63,810 or more 1.
How to Become a Maintenance Technician in Alabama
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Alabama training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Alabama that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to maintenance technicians in Alabama before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship Information in Alabama
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years.
Contact Information:
- Office: Alabama Office of Apprenticeship
- Address: 1 Technology Court, Montgomery, AL 36116
- Phone: (334) 280-4440
Maintenance Technician Wages by Metro Area in Alabama
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General Wages by Metro Area in Alabama
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), maintenance and repair workers, general wages in Alabama vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 3,720 | $46,360 | $48,290 | $31,600 | $68,080 |
| Huntsville | 1,540 | $46,430 | $48,310 | $30,810 | $67,940 |
| Columbus | 1,430 | $42,970 | $45,580 | $28,930 | $62,910 |
| Montgomery | 1,360 | $38,660 | $41,930 | $25,760 | $60,810 |
| Mobile | 1,240 | $38,910 | $43,390 | $29,380 | $61,740 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley | 1,070 | $40,240 | $42,040 | $29,770 | $55,470 |
| Tuscaloosa | 770 | $38,930 | $41,630 | $28,550 | $58,430 |
| Auburn-Opelika | 740 | $39,710 | $43,380 | $27,310 | $60,310 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals | 620 | $45,660 | $52,250 | $31,200 | $78,180 |
| Decatur | 470 | $48,520 | $58,830 | $32,500 | $93,730 |
| Dothan | 430 | $39,340 | $42,020 | $28,300 | $60,630 |
| Anniston-Oxford | 290 | $38,350 | $39,650 | $24,860 | $54,500 |
| Gadsden | 280 | $43,410 | $44,630 | $28,280 | $61,940 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for maintenance technicians in Alabama? Alabama currently employs approximately 16,660 maintenance technicians 1. Nationally, maintenance technician employment is projected to grow 3.8% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Alabama? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Alabama.
How much do maintenance technicians earn in Alabama compared to the national average? The median annual wage for maintenance technicians in Alabama is $43,630, which is $4,990 below the national median of $48,620 according to BLS data 1.
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In Alabama
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |