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The differences between engine 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 an engine maintenance mechanic and a preventive maintenance technician. Additionally, an engine maintenance mechanic has an average salary of $52,145, which is higher than the $40,935 average annual salary of a preventive maintenance technician.
The top three skills for an engine maintenance mechanic include preventive maintenance, mechanical maintenance and plumbing. The most important skills for a preventive maintenance technician are customer service, hand tools, and HVAC.
An engine maintenance mechanic is responsible for installing, repairing, and maintaining engines and vehicles. As an engine maintenance mechanic, you will perform preventive maintenance such as running diagnostic tests to check engine functionality. In addition, you will need to ensure compliance with safety regulations and procedures, and troubleshoot faulty or broken machine parts. Other duties that you will perform may include performing emergency repairs, monitoring and reporting on the progress of projects, and maintaining a clean and safe work environment.
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.
Engine maintenance mechanics and preventive maintenance technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Engine Maintenance Mechanic | Preventive Maintenance Technician | |
| Average salary | $52,145 | $40,935 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $72,000 | Between $31,000 And $52,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Owatonna, MN |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Alaska |
| Best paying company | HEI Hotels & Resorts | Kiewit |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an engine maintenance mechanic and a preventive maintenance technician in terms of educational background:
| Engine Maintenance Mechanic | Preventive Maintenance Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between engine maintenance mechanics' and preventive maintenance technicians' demographics:
| Engine Maintenance Mechanic | Preventive Maintenance Technician | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.1% Female, 3.9% | Male, 91.8% Female, 8.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 4.5% White, 60.1% 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% |