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Facilities technician vs preventive maintenance technician

The differences between facilities 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 facilities technician and a preventive maintenance technician. Additionally, a preventive maintenance technician has an average salary of $40,935, which is higher than the $40,344 average annual salary of a facilities technician.

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

Facilities technician vs preventive maintenance technician overview

Facilities TechnicianPreventive Maintenance Technician
Yearly salary$40,344$40,935
Hourly rate$19.40$19.68
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs199,414170,517
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 30%Associate Degree, 31%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

What does a facilities technician do?

Facilities Technicians are employees who manage the upkeep of the company's facilities. They are in charge of maintaining the different equipment, fixtures, and furniture in the office. They conduct routine maintenance and regular check-ups to ensure that everything is working properly at all times. In case of malfunctioning items, facilities technicians try to repair these items if they know how or schedule the item for repair. They also ensure that the facility's occupational safety and health standards are met, and the employees follow safety protocols.

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.

Facilities technician vs preventive maintenance technician salary

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

Facilities TechnicianPreventive Maintenance Technician
Average salary$40,344$40,935
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $59,000Between $31,000 And $52,000
Highest paying CitySaint Paul, MNOwatonna, MN
Highest paying stateMinnesotaAlaska
Best paying companyMetaKiewit
Best paying industryEnergyAutomotive

Differences between facilities technician and preventive maintenance technician education

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

Facilities TechnicianPreventive Maintenance Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 30%Associate Degree, 31%
Most common majorBusinessAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Facilities technician vs preventive maintenance technician demographics

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

Facilities TechnicianPreventive Maintenance Technician
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 90.3% Female, 9.7%Male, 91.8% Female, 8.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.9% Asian, 4.4% White, 58.9% 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 facilities technician and preventive maintenance technician duties and responsibilities

Facilities technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage all contract work including snow removal, mowing, asphalt work, and signage.
  • Prepare bids for services, maintain RO/DI system, cooling towers, chillers, waste water systems and hazardous waste disposal.
  • Perform general building maintenance duties including basic plumbing and electrical repairs.
  • Maintain boilers and ice chillers per school standards and manufacturer specifications.
  • Perform preventive maintenance in conjunction with all building maintenance and/or cleanliness relate items.
  • Maintain responsibility for all facility maintenance including HVAC equipment, plumbing and minor electrical repairs.
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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

Facilities technician vs preventive maintenance technician skills

Common facilities technician skills
  • Preventative Maintenance, 12%
  • HVAC, 10%
  • Plumbing, 10%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • OSHA, 4%
  • Ladders, 3%
Common preventive maintenance technician skills
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Hand Tools, 8%
  • HVAC, 8%
  • Dishwashers, 6%
  • Plumbing, 5%
  • Water Filters, 4%

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