jobfacts

Maintenance fitter

Metal working production and maintenance fitters and technicians — SOC 2020 5223

Metal working production and maintenance fitters and technicians erect, install and repair electrical and mechanical plant and industrial machinery, fit and assemble parts and sub-assemblies in the manufacture of metal products and test and adjust new motor vehicles and engines.

Also calledEngineering maintenance fitterMaintenance engineerCycle mechanicBike mechanicBicycle technicianE-bike repairerand 466 more titles
Typical full-time pay£40,8002025 Provisional
People in the job136,000across the UK
Demand for workersCritical
New adverts a month9,600↑ 3.5%on last year · 8th of 412

Pay

ONS · ASHE 2025

Half of full-time maintenance fitters earn between £31,200 and £52,400 a year.

What full-time maintenance fitters earn, 2025
£40,800 typical£25,300lowest 10%£31,20025%£52,40075%£63,700top 10%
Middle half (£31,200–£52,400)
Show as table
Lowest 10% earn less than£25,300
Lowest 20% earn less than£29,500
25%£31,200
Median£40,800
75%£52,400
Top 20% earn more than£55,200
Top 10% earn more than£63,700
Typical pay by regionUK median £40,800
London£46,800
Scotland£41,900
East Midlands£41,600
North East!£41,500
South East£41,000
North West£40,900
East of England£40,500
Yorkshire and The Humber£39,800
Wales!£38,400
West Midlands£38,400
South West£35,900
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
UK median, £40,800
London£46,800
Scotland£41,900
East Midlands£41,600
North East£41,500 (small sample)
South East£41,000
North West£40,900
East of England£40,500
Yorkshire and The Humber£39,800
Wales£38,400 (small sample)
West Midlands£38,400
South West£35,900
Typical pay over 3 years
  • 2023 £36,200
  • 2024 £39,200
  • 2025 Provisional£40,800
↑ 13% since 2023Provisional figures are revised when ONS publishes the next year’s survey.

Jobs and demand

ONS · Textkernel adverts · DfE

About 9,600 jobs for maintenance fitters are advertised each month. The Department for Education rates demand for workers as critical.

New job adverts a month, Jan 2017 to Aug 2026
New advertsMonth not published by ONS (3 in all)
Show as table
Aug 202610,992
Jul 202610,050
Jun 20268,724
May 20269,092
Apr 202610,139
Mar 2026Not published
Feb 20268,643
Jan 202610,886
Dec 20255,602
Nov 202510,053
Oct 202510,657
Sept 202510,455
Aug 202510,100
Jul 2025Not published
Jun 2025Not published
May 202512,271
Apr 20259,160
Mar 202510,404
Feb 202510,135
Jan 20259,653
Dec 20245,280
Nov 20247,667
Oct 20248,997
Sept 202410,368
Aug 20249,982
Jul 202410,751
Jun 20249,799
May 202410,758
Apr 202410,849
Mar 20249,242
Feb 20249,383
Jan 202411,791
Dec 20238,367
Nov 20239,661
Oct 20238,765
Sept 20239,287
Aug 202310,002
Jul 202310,509
Jun 202314,195
May 202312,879
Apr 202310,667
Mar 202313,340
Feb 202313,597
Jan 202315,817
Dec 202213,120
Nov 202215,231
Oct 202215,648
Sept 202215,572
Aug 202217,532
Jul 202216,718
Jun 202215,076
May 202214,676
Apr 202212,082
Mar 202215,030
Feb 202213,022
Jan 202214,116
Dec 202112,199
Nov 202111,460
Oct 202112,274
Sept 202111,534
Aug 202111,375
Jul 202113,661
Jun 202111,845
May 202114,140
Apr 202113,373
Mar 202115,177
Feb 20219,002
Jan 20219,558
Dec 20207,560
Nov 20208,650
Oct 20209,094
Sept 20207,872
Aug 20207,119
Jul 20207,030
Jun 20206,537
May 20205,509
Apr 20208,765
Mar 202011,893
Feb 202012,785
Jan 202011,725
Dec 20198,811
Nov 201911,426
Oct 201912,980
Sept 201912,538
Aug 201912,763
Jul 201917,345
Jun 201917,284
May 201914,690
Apr 20199,636
Mar 201911,065
Feb 201910,475
Jan 201911,990
Dec 20187,614
Nov 20189,582
Oct 201810,306
Sept 201810,829
Aug 201810,476
Jul 201810,362
Jun 201810,742
May 201811,111
Apr 201810,191
Mar 201811,102
Feb 201810,583
Jan 201812,623
Dec 20178,371
Nov 201710,584
Oct 201710,150
Sept 20179,836
Aug 201711,003
Jul 201711,491
Jun 201712,717
May 201712,375
Apr 201711,487
Mar 201713,471
Feb 201710,316
Jan 201712,479
Is there a shortage of maintenance fitters?
Critical

The Department for Education rates demand as not high, elevated or critical, using five indicators. This is its 2025 assessment; in 2024 it was elevated.

  • Visas grantedAbove usual
  • Online job advertsWell above usual
  • Wage growthAbove usual
  • Pay against similar jobsUsual
  • Hours workedAbove usual
Vacancies hard to fill because of skills
57%against 27% for all jobs
Broader groupFigure for metal machining, fitting and instrument making trades, which includes maintenance fitters. DfE Employer Skills Survey 2024.
Where the most jobs are advertisedadverts a quarter
London3,151
Manchester581
Birmingham571
Bristol, City of513
Leeds431
Glasgow City373
Somerset354
West Northamptonshire329
Leicester257
Nottingham244
London is published as one area. Averages leave out quarters ONS withheld.
Where maintenance fitters are most concentratedShare of local job adverts, compared with the UK.

Recruitment from abroad. 170 sponsored work visas were granted for this job from July 2025 to June 2026, most to people from Poland, Philippines, Belgium, ranking it 84th of 313. Home Office

Who does it

ONS · Annual Population Survey · April 2025 to March 2026
WomenToo few in the survey to give a reliable figure
Age of maintenance fitters
13%!
25%
20%
19%
19%
3.6%!
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
16–2413% (small sample)
25–3425%
35–4420%
45–5419%
55–6419%
65+3.6% (small sample)
Highest qualification
Degree or equivalent13%
Higher education below degree11%
A levels or equivalent47%
GCSEs or equivalent16%
Other qualifications!5%
No qualifications!4.3%
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
Degree or equivalent13%
Higher education below degree11%
A levels or equivalent47%
GCSEs or equivalent16%
Other qualifications5% (small sample)
No qualifications4.3% (small sample)

Main employers: repair of machinery (5.8%), machining (5.3%), engineering activities and related technical consultancy (4.9%), manufacture of motor vehicles (3.6%).

How to get in

Hold a degree
13%
as their highest qualification
Most common qualification
A levels or equivalent
held by 47%
Apprenticeships
16
from level 2
Apprenticeships take
18 months to 4 years
typically
T Levels
2
college courses for 16 to 19 year olds

Routes in

Maintenance fitter

You can get into this job through:

College

You could take a college course to learn some of the skills you'll need in this job.

Relevant subjects include:

  • engineering
  • mechanical or electrical engineering
  • fabrication and welding
  • T Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing
Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship, such as:

  • Engineering and Manufacturing Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship
  • Engineering Fitter Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Engineering Maintenance Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Maintenance Operations Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship
  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More about this route
Foundation apprenticeship

You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.

If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:

  • have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
  • are in care or have been in care
  • are in prison or have been in prison

Other ways in

Work your way up

You could start as an engineering operative or trainee craftsperson and do training on the job to become a fitter.

Apply directly

You can apply directly for maintenance fitter jobs if you've got qualifications and experience in maintenance work, like:

  • mechanical engineering
  • pipefitting
  • welding
  • electrical engineering

Registration and professional bodies

Registration
  • you'll need an industry safety certificate like the Client Contractor National Safety Group (CCNSG) Safety Passport Scheme for many jobs
Further information

You can find more about careers in engineering from the ECITB and Tomorrow's Engineers.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for maintenance fitter. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Cycle mechanic

You can get into this job through:

College

You could take a course to get a qualification and some of the skills needed to be a cycle mechanic.

Courses include:

  • cycle maintenance
  • cycle mechanics
Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Apprenticeship

You could apply for a place on a Bicycle Mechanic Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

This can take between 1 and 2 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Other ways in

Work your way up

You could start as a retail assistant in a bike shop or bike hire outlet. You could then apply for a job as a trainee mechanic if they have a repair workshop.

You'll need good customer service skills, a keen interest in cycling and some knowledge of cycle repairs.

Other routes

You could study for technical cycle maintenance qualifications offered by an industry body like Cytech.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for cycle mechanic. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Lift engineer

You can get into this job through:

College

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need to get a trainee position.

Relevant courses include:

  • maintenance engineering technology
  • building services engineering
  • mechanical or electrical engineering
Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship with a lift repair company, for example:

  • Stairlift, Platform Lift and Service Lift Electro-Mechanic Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Lift and Escalator Electro-Mechanic Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Other ways in

Work your way up

You may be able to join a lift engineering company as a new starter and do on-the-job training through the Lift and Escalator Industry Association.

As your career develops you could go on to complete a Higher National Certificate and Diploma in Lift and Escalator Technology.

Apply directly

You can apply directly to employers if you've got relevant qualifications and experience in electrical, electro-mechanical or building services engineering.

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

You may need to travel to other parts of the country for some commercial and industrial contracts.

Further information

You can get more details about careers in maintenance engineering from the Lift and Escalator Industry Association and Neon.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for lift engineer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Construction plant mechanic

You can get into this job through:

College

You could start by taking a course that will teach you some of the skills you'll need to find a trainee job.

Courses include:

  • heavy vehicle maintenance
  • construction plant or machinery maintenance
  • mechanical engineering
Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship with a company that services and repairs heavy plant machinery.

Training options include:

  • Construction Equipment Maintenance Mechanic Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Construction Equipment Maintenance Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Lift Truck and Powered Access Vehicle Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

These take between 2 and 3 years to complete and are a mix of on-the-job training and study off site.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Apply directly

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got experience in mechanical engineering or the service and repair of heavy vehicles, like:

  • construction plant machinery
  • forklift trucks
  • lorries and buses
  • military vehicles
  • agricultural machinery

What you’ll need

  • have a full driving licence

Registration and professional bodies

Registration
  • you'll need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site
Further information

You'll find more details about how to become a construction plant mechanic from Go Construct.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for construction plant mechanic. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Agricultural engineer

You can get into this job through:

University

You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

  • agricultural engineering
  • agricultural technology
  • mechanical, electrical or electronic engineering

These courses are offered by land-based engineering institutions.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
  • between 1 and 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma or degree

College

You could do a college course to learn some of the skills and knowledge you'll need to find a trainee engineer role.

Courses include:

  • agricultural engineering
  • land-based technology
  • T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production
Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You may be able to apply for a place on a Land-Based Service Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

This takes around 2 years to complete and combines on-the-job training and time spent with a learning provider.

Once working, you would go on to further training to become an engineer.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Work your way up

You could work as an agricultural engineering technician and train on the job to become a qualified engineer.

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

As well as traditional engineering and design skills, agricultural engineers often use newer technologies to improve farming sustainability like:

  • development of robotic systems and machinery
  • GPS data and satellite imaging
  • artificial intelligence tools
Further information

You can get more advice about careers in agricultural engineering from:

  • We are land-based engineering
  • Institution of Agricultural Engineers
  • Landbased Engineering Training and Education Committee
  • The Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for agricultural engineer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Locksmith

You can get into this job through:

Apply directly

You could contact local locksmith companies to see if they're prepared to take you on as a trainee.

You'll find it helps if you have good practical skills, and some experience of carpentry, mechanical work or electronics.

Other routes

You can do training courses with private training providers or a professional body like the Master Locksmiths Association. Courses are available from beginner's level to advanced.

Do your research before signing up for a course to make sure it's the right one for you.

What you’ll need

  • have a full driving licence
  • pass background checks

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

It's useful to think about what type of locksmith you want to be, for example:

  • automotive
  • commercial or domestic
  • specialist in safes and electronic security systems

Whichever you choose, you'll need to enjoy finding different ways to solve problems.

Further information

You can find out more about how to become a locksmith from the Master Locksmiths Association.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for locksmith. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Mechanical engineer

You can get into this job through:

University

You could do a higher national diploma or degree in:

  • mechanical engineering
  • electromechanical engineering
  • mechatronics
  • engineering manufacturing

The Engineering Council has information on accredited courses.

You should try to get some work experience during your course through:

  • internships
  • a placement year in industry
  • a science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) ambassador scheme

This will help you to make contacts and pick up work skills that will be useful when you start applying for graduate jobs.

Your university careers service can help you find suitable opportunities.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and physics

College

You could complete a college course before going on to do a higher level engineering qualification or an apprenticeship.

Courses include:

  • mechanical engineering
  • mechanical engineering technology
  • mechanical engineering - machine operations
  • T Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering

Before you finish your course, you could apply for a paid work placement through the Engineering Development Trust, which offers a chance to use your engineering skills and improve your career prospects.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship to become a mechanical engineer. These include:

  • Manufacturing Engineer Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
  • Electro-Mechanical Engineer Level 6 Apprenticeship - leading to a professional qualification
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

Work your way up

You could start as a mechanical engineering technician and do further training on the job to qualify as an engineer.

Registration and professional bodies

Further information

You can find out more about how to become a mechanical engineer from:

  • the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
  • This is Engineering

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for mechanical engineer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Apprenticeships

16 for this job
Level 3About 3 years

Construction equipment maintenance technician

Leads to
Society of Operations Engineers (SOE)
Details on Skills England
Level 3About 2½ years

Commercial catering equipment technician

You gain
Core Commercial Catering Gas Safety Natural Gas; ComCat 1, Commercial Catering Appliances – Group 1 boiler burners, open/solid top…
Details on Skills England
Level 3About 3½ years

Food and drink maintenance engineer

You gain
Diploma in food and drink engineering maintenance
Leads to
The Institution of Engineering and Technology
Employers may ask for
Typically, 5 GCSEs including English grade 4 (C) and mathematics grade 6 (B), or equivalent.
Details on Skills England
Level 3About 2 years

Land-based service engineering technician

Leads to
The Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE)
Employers may ask for
Employers set the selection criteria for their apprentices. Typically, this may include the completion of a level 2 land based engineering apprenticeship or…
Details on Skills England
Level 3About 3 years

Lift truck and powered access engineering technician

Leads to
Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
Details on Skills England
Level 4About 4 years

Automation and controls engineering technician

You gain
Technical engineering qualification covering at least one of the following areas…
Leads to
Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET)
Details on Skills England
Level 4About 2 years

Textile technical specialist

Leads to
Textile Institute / LICENTIATESHIP MEMBERSHIP
Details on Skills England
Level 2About 2 years

Land-based service engineer

Employers may ask for
Typically employers will set the selection criteria for their apprentices. Typically, this may include English and mathematics GCSEs at Grade 4 or equivalent…
Details on Skills England

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Other qualifications

QualificationTypeLevel
Agriculture, Land Management and ProductionT Level3
Maintenance, installation and repair for engineering and manufacturingT Level3
Higher National Certificate in Automation and Control Engineering for EnglandHigher technical4
Diploma of Higher Education in Automation and InstrumentationHigher technical5

The work

ONS · ESCO · O*NET

Typical tasks

  • examines drawings and specifications to determine appropriate methods and sequence of operations
  • fits and assembles parts and/or metal sub-assemblies to fine tolerances to make marine engines, prototype metal products, agricultural machinery and machine tools
  • fits and assembles, other than to fine tolerances, prepared parts and sub-assemblies to make motor vehicles, printing and agricultural machinery, orthopaedic appliances and other metal goods
  • examines operation of, and makes adjustments to internal combustion engines and motor vehicles
  • erects, installs, repairs and services plant and industrial machinery, including railway stock, textile machines, coin operated machines, locks, sewing machines, bicycles and gas and oil appliances

Skills

  • troubleshoot
  • conduct routine machinery checks
  • install electrical and electronic equipment
  • resolve equipment malfunctions
  • write records for repairs
  • consult technical resources
  • operate soldering equipment
  • operate welding equipment
  • perform test run
  • record test data
  • use testing equipment
  • apply technical communication skills
  • order supplies
  • prepare compliance documents

Knowledge

  • mechanics
  • hydraulics
  • electronics
  • pneumatics
  • electricity
  • engine components

Suits people who like

  • Practical, hands-on work
  • Organising and following procedures

Outlook

DfE · Skills Imperative 2035
Broader groupThese projections are for skilled metal, electrical and electronic trades, a group of 23 jobs that includes maintenance fitters.
Change in jobs, 2020 to 2035↓ 6.5%about 72,000 fewer jobs
Workers needed by 2035338,000including people replacing those who retire or leave

Sources

Pay
ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, 2025 provisional
People in the job, who does it
ONS, Annual Population Survey, April 2025 to March 2026
Job adverts
ONS, online job adverts (Textkernel), to Aug 2026
Demand, skill shortages
Department for Education and Skills England, Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey
Outlook
The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE
Routes in
National Careers Service job profiles
Apprenticeships, qualifications
Skills England occupational maps
Skills, interests
ESCO classification of the European Commission; O*NET data, U.S. Department of Labor (CC BY 4.0, modified)
Visas
Home Office, immigration system statistics

Figures as of 10 October 2026.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey: Department for Education and Skills England. Immigration system statistics: Home Office. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Source: The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE.

This service uses the ESCO classification of the European Commission.

This service includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This service has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. CC BY 4.0 licence.

jobfacts is independent. It is not part of, affiliated with or endorsed by the Office for National Statistics, the Department for Education, Skills England, the National Careers Service, the Home Office, the European Commission or the U.S. Department of Labor.