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Building technician vs preventive maintenance technician

The differences between building technicians 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 technician and a preventive maintenance technician. Additionally, a building technician has an average salary of $46,250, which is higher than the $40,935 average annual salary of a preventive maintenance technician.

The top three skills for a building technician include plumbing, HVAC and building maintenance. The most important skills for a preventive maintenance technician are customer service, hand tools, and HVAC.

Building technician vs preventive maintenance technician overview

Building TechnicianPreventive Maintenance Technician
Yearly salary$46,250$40,935
Hourly rate$22.24$19.68
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs97,697170,517
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 31%Associate Degree, 31%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

What does a building technician do?

A building technician plays a vital role in the success of construction projects. They provide support to construction managers, architects, and other workers in conducting regular site inspections, determining construction requirements, estimating costs, reaching out and negotiating with suppliers, evaluating materials, and purchasing supplies. In some companies, a building technician performs regular maintenance checks on facilities and equipment, conducting repairs and replacements when necessary. There are also times when they manage a team of workers, supervising their performance to ensure an efficient workflow.

What does a preventive maintenance technician do?

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 technician vs preventive maintenance technician salary

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

Building TechnicianPreventive Maintenance Technician
Average salary$46,250$40,935
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $69,000Between $31,000 And $52,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCOwatonna, MN
Highest paying stateMassachusettsAlaska
Best paying companyIBMKiewit
Best paying industryRetailAutomotive

Differences between building technician and preventive maintenance technician education

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

Building TechnicianPreventive Maintenance Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 31%Associate Degree, 31%
Most common majorBusinessAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Building technician vs preventive maintenance technician demographics

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

Building TechnicianPreventive Maintenance Technician
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 85.4% Female, 14.6%Male, 91.8% Female, 8.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 4.6% White, 60.4% 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 Percentage2%2%

Differences between building technician and preventive maintenance technician duties and responsibilities

Building technician example responsibilities.

  • Maintain an accident free workplace under OSHA's standards.
  • Build, troubleshoot, and repair cellular analyzing equipment for medical and educational research.
  • Perform general plumbing and electrical repairs.
  • Execute basic electrical and plumbing functions.
  • Coordinate and collaborate with dealerships to troubleshoot and repair any vehicle issues.
  • Develop acute attention to detail and high level of dexterity require for repair of intricate mechanisms common in photographic equipment.
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Preventive maintenance technician example responsibilities.

  • Initiate and implement first preventative maintenance program for CNC, mills and lathes for the maintenance dept.
  • Control circuit and PLC installation and programming.
  • Climb poles, ladders and other structures as needed.
  • Train and knowledgeable of OSHA's rules and regulations.
  • Insure vehicle are meeting all safety guidelines as set for by ANSI and OSHA.
  • Assist higher-level heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) mechanics.
  • Show more

Building technician vs preventive maintenance technician skills

Common building technician skills
  • Plumbing, 10%
  • HVAC, 10%
  • Building Maintenance, 6%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Ladders, 5%
Common preventive maintenance technician skills
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Hand Tools, 8%
  • HVAC, 8%
  • Dishwashers, 6%
  • Plumbing, 5%
  • Water Filters, 4%

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