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The differences between building maintenance mechanics and preventive maintenance technicians 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 maintenance mechanic and a preventive maintenance technician. Additionally, a preventive maintenance technician has an average salary of $40,935, which is higher than the $38,609 average annual salary of a building maintenance mechanic.
The top three skills for a building maintenance mechanic include plumbing, HVAC and hand tools. The most important skills for a preventive maintenance technician are customer service, hand tools, and HVAC.
| Building Maintenance Mechanic | Preventive Maintenance Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $38,609 | $40,935 |
| Hourly rate | $18.56 | $19.68 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 129,668 | 170,517 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
A preventive maintenance technician performs routine facility maintenance to prevent possible mechanical failure. The technicians change worn out machine parts before they can cause mechanical damage. They keep the facility operating. It is their job to conduct quality assessments, maintain inventory, and schedule repairs. Also, they see to it that machines are up and running at all times. They are expected to be equipped with skills in customer service, problem-solving, reading comprehension, business operation, and mechanical aptitude.
Building maintenance mechanics and preventive maintenance technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Building Maintenance Mechanic | Preventive Maintenance Technician | |
| Average salary | $38,609 | $40,935 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $51,000 | Between $31,000 And $52,000 |
| Highest paying City | Taunton, MA | Owatonna, MN |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Emory University | Kiewit |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a building maintenance mechanic and a preventive maintenance technician in terms of educational background:
| Building Maintenance Mechanic | Preventive Maintenance Technician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Most common major | Business | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between building maintenance mechanics' and preventive maintenance technicians' demographics:
| Building Maintenance Mechanic | Preventive Maintenance Technician | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.1% Female, 7.9% | Male, 91.8% Female, 8.2% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 59.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |