How to Become A Maintenance Technician in North Carolina
North Carolina employs approximately 43,440 maintenance technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $47,910 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 North Carolina, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Maintenance Technician in North Carolina
How do I become a maintenance technician in North Carolina? North Carolina requires credentials such as Fire Sprinkler Maintenance Technician (Limited). The licensing authority is the NC Board Examiners of Plumbing Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in North Carolina? Yes. North Carolina has licensing or registration requirements for maintenance technicians. The NC Board Examiners of Plumbing Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do maintenance technicians earn in North Carolina? The median annual wage for maintenance technicians in North Carolina is $47,910 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $33,630 and experienced professionals can earn $70,640 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: NC Board Examiners of Plumbing Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors
- Median wage (North Carolina): $47,910 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Maintenance Technician License Requirements in North Carolina
The NC Board Examiners of Plumbing Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors oversees maintenance technician licensing in North Carolina 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Fire Sprinkler Maintenance Technician (Limited) | Required for full-time maintenance employees to perform periodic maintenance, observation or testing of water-based fire protection systems on the premises of the employer only. |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship Information in North Carolina
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. North Carolina’s apprenticeship program is administered by the North Carolina Division of Workforce Solutions - Apprenticeships 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Forsyth Tech Apprenticeship Program
- Address: 2100 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC 27103
- Phone: (336) 723-0371
- Email: [email protected]
Maintenance Technician Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), maintenance and repair workers, general wages in North Carolina vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 11,460 | $51,000 | $54,120 | $36,640 | $75,650 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 7,100 | $47,820 | $50,850 | $34,390 | $74,610 |
| Raleigh-Cary | 6,330 | $49,870 | $52,500 | $36,550 | $72,830 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 3,530 | $47,320 | $50,070 | $34,200 | $72,990 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 2,830 | $49,130 | $53,950 | $36,750 | $75,100 |
| Winston-Salem | 2,480 | $47,090 | $50,110 | $31,640 | $71,270 |
| Asheville | 1,740 | $47,360 | $49,040 | $34,710 | $64,170 |
| Wilmington | 1,700 | $45,830 | $46,730 | $31,120 | $62,280 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | 1,500 | $47,690 | $51,130 | $33,210 | $72,970 |
| Fayetteville | 1,150 | $44,530 | $47,390 | $29,710 | $71,050 |
| Greenville | 540 | $45,390 | $48,080 | $29,310 | $64,100 |
| Burlington | 520 | $46,020 | $47,180 | $31,070 | $64,420 |
| Rocky Mount | 520 | $44,480 | $46,310 | $28,210 | $64,590 |
| Jacksonville | 430 | $38,310 | $41,370 | $27,090 | $59,230 |
| Goldsboro | 380 | $42,700 | $44,320 | $28,240 | $61,560 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines | 310 | $43,540 | $43,940 | $32,510 | $57,030 |
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 2025.
Top Metros for Maintenance technicians in North Carolina
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest maintenance technician employment within North Carolina according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 11,460 | $51,000 |
| Raleigh-Cary | 6,330 | $49,870 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 3,530 | $47,320 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 2,830 | $49,130 |
| Winston-Salem | 2,480 | $47,090 |
Explore maintenance technician programs in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for maintenance technicians in North Carolina? North Carolina currently employs approximately 43,440 maintenance technicians 1. Nationally, maintenance technician employment is projected to grow 3.8% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a maintenance technician in North Carolina with an out-of-state license? Contact the NC Board Examiners of Plumbing Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in North Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in North Carolina. You can also contact the North Carolina Division of Workforce Solutions - Apprenticeships for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do maintenance technicians earn in North Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for maintenance technicians in North Carolina is $47,910, which is $710 below the national median of $48,620 according to BLS data 1.
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NC Board Examiners of Plumbing Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors - Licensing Information: https://nclicensing.org/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
North Carolina Division of Workforce Solutions - Apprenticeships: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎
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) |