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The differences between building engineers and building maintenance mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a building engineer and a building maintenance mechanic. Additionally, a building engineer has an average salary of $76,446, which is higher than the $38,609 average annual salary of a building maintenance mechanic.
The top three skills for a building engineer include HVAC, ladders and plumbing. The most important skills for a building maintenance mechanic are plumbing, HVAC, and hand tools.
| Building Engineer | Building Maintenance Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $76,446 | $38,609 |
| Hourly rate | $36.75 | $18.56 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 13,440 | 129,668 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 32% | High School Diploma, 44% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
The job of building engineers is to provide advice on design, installation, and maintenance of energy-efficient and cost-effective systems for all building services, including lighting, water, and air conditioning. These professionals are responsible for the distribution of water supply and electricity and resolving tenants' maintenance problems such as plumbing and electrical systems. Additional duties of the building engineers include conducting tests on systems, ensuring compliance with health and safety requirements, and liaising with construction professionals like surveyors and electricians.
A building maintenance mechanic is primarily in charge of maintaining mechanical systems and equipment in good condition. They conduct regular maintenance checks, performing repairs or replacements when necessary. They may also respond to issues and concerns, troubleshoot problems, install and upgrade systems, provide technical support and advice to staff, manage vehicles, monitor supply inventory, purchase supplies, and maintain records. Moreover, a building maintenance mechanic usually works in a team setting, which requires a clear communication line for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Building engineers and building maintenance mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Building Engineer | Building Maintenance Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $76,446 | $38,609 |
| Salary range | Between $49,000 And $116,000 | Between $28,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Taunton, MA |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Apple | Emory University |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Energy |
There are a few differences between a building engineer and a building maintenance mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Building Engineer | Building Maintenance Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 32% | High School Diploma, 44% |
| Most common major | Heating And Air Conditioning | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between building engineers' and building maintenance mechanics' demographics:
| Building Engineer | Building Maintenance Mechanic | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.6% Female, 5.4% | Male, 92.1% Female, 7.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 4.5% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% | Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.5% Asian, 4.7% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |