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Building maintenance technician vs maintenance engineer

The differences between building maintenance technicians and maintenance engineers 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 technician and a maintenance engineer. Additionally, a maintenance engineer has an average salary of $47,133, which is higher than the $40,065 average annual salary of a building maintenance technician.

The top three skills for a building maintenance technician include plumbing, HVAC and ladders. The most important skills for a maintenance engineer are plumbing, HVAC, and guest rooms.

Building maintenance technician vs maintenance engineer overview

Building Maintenance TechnicianMaintenance Engineer
Yearly salary$40,065$47,133
Hourly rate$19.26$22.66
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs159,63497,957
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

What does a building maintenance technician do?

A building maintenance technician is an individual who takes responsibility for keeping the repair tools and other supplies in good condition. Building maintenance technicians make sure that a facility operates pretty well. The technicians need to familiarize the security of the buildings. They maintain buildings through repairs and safety checks. It is their job to care for industrial and commercial facilities and determine maintenance needs. Some of them are in charge of the landscape and perform primary janitorial work.

What does a maintenance engineer do?

A maintenance engineer is responsible for the maintenance of industrial machinery and inspects equipment defects for immediate troubleshooting or replacement as needed. Maintenance engineers install and upgrade system components to improve system optimization and perform diagnostic systems to locate any adjustments. They also conduct routine checks, assist clients with technical faults, and ensure that the equipment works safely for certain operations. A maintenance engineer must have excellent knowledge of the mechanical industry to address technical malfunctions immediately.

Building maintenance technician vs maintenance engineer salary

Building maintenance technicians and maintenance engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Building Maintenance TechnicianMaintenance Engineer
Average salary$40,065$47,133
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $52,000Between $29,000 And $74,000
Highest paying CityAnchorage, AKNew York, NY
Highest paying stateAlaskaNew Jersey
Best paying companyVanderbilt University Medical CenterHalliburton
Best paying industryManufacturing-

Differences between building maintenance technician and maintenance engineer education

There are a few differences between a building maintenance technician and a maintenance engineer in terms of educational background:

Building Maintenance TechnicianMaintenance Engineer
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorBusinessMechanical Engineering
Most common college--

Building maintenance technician vs maintenance engineer demographics

Here are the differences between building maintenance technicians' and maintenance engineers' demographics:

Building Maintenance TechnicianMaintenance Engineer
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 95.7% Female, 4.3%Male, 94.6% Female, 5.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.8% Asian, 4.6% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 4.4% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between building maintenance technician and maintenance engineer duties and responsibilities

Building maintenance technician example responsibilities.

  • Maintain and repair plumbing systems and accessories and perform maintenance of HVAC peripheral utility equipment.
  • Set up ladders to work above grind level.
  • Engage understanding of city OSHA and other compliance standards, guidelines, and issues
  • Follow OSHA standards at all times to ensure that a safe workplace are maintained
  • Used various tools, including but not limit to: drills, saws, hammers, screwdrivers, sanders and ladders.
  • Perform preventative maintenance on HVAC and refrigeration systems.
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Maintenance engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage all contract work including snow removal, mowing, asphalt work, and signage.
  • Assist in and/or troubleshoot the building automation system and make recommendations for maintenance and repair to building control systems.
  • Maintain cleanliness and orderliness of facility and grounds per federal OSHA requirements.
  • Perform commercial maintenance/troubleshooting for plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems on commercial buildings and apartment complexes.
  • Work with, cut, and install PVC piping.
  • Well verse with PLC/ CNC diagnostic tools.
  • Show more

Building maintenance technician vs maintenance engineer skills

Common building maintenance technician skills
  • Plumbing, 13%
  • HVAC, 8%
  • Ladders, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • OSHA, 5%
  • Dexterity, 5%
Common maintenance engineer skills
  • Plumbing, 13%
  • HVAC, 10%
  • Guest Rooms, 5%
  • Ladders, 5%
  • Maintenance Tasks, 4%
  • OSHA, 4%

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