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Field maintenance technician vs building maintenance mechanic

The differences between field maintenance technicians and building maintenance mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a field maintenance technician and a building maintenance mechanic. Additionally, a building maintenance mechanic has an average salary of $38,609, which is higher than the $37,403 average annual salary of a field maintenance technician.

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

Field maintenance technician vs building maintenance mechanic overview

Field Maintenance TechnicianBuilding Maintenance Mechanic
Yearly salary$37,403$38,609
Hourly rate$17.98$18.56
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs225,113129,668
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 32%High School Diploma, 44%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

What does a field maintenance technician do?

Field Maintenance Technicians are responsible for the on-site maintenance, repair, and installation of systems and equipment. Their duties include inspecting technical problems, performing repair or installing systems and equipment, conducting test runs, demonstrating safe operating procedures, and carrying out preventive maintenance service. They educate clients on troubleshooting techniques, undertake service reviews, and produce service reports. Field Maintenance Technicians also make recommendations related to service upgrades or equipment replacements, organize travel arrangements, and maintain client relationships.

What does a building maintenance mechanic do?

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.

Field maintenance technician vs building maintenance mechanic salary

Field maintenance technicians and building maintenance mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

Field Maintenance TechnicianBuilding Maintenance Mechanic
Average salary$37,403$38,609
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $54,000Between $28,000 And $51,000
Highest paying CityRichmond, VATaunton, MA
Highest paying stateMinnesotaMassachusetts
Best paying companyAmerican WaterEmory University
Best paying industry-Energy

Differences between field maintenance technician and building maintenance mechanic education

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

Field Maintenance TechnicianBuilding Maintenance Mechanic
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 32%High School Diploma, 44%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Field maintenance technician vs building maintenance mechanic demographics

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

Field Maintenance TechnicianBuilding Maintenance Mechanic
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 91.8% Female, 8.2%Male, 92.1% Female, 7.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 4.5% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%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%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between field maintenance technician and building maintenance mechanic duties and responsibilities

Field maintenance technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage proper storage of equipment, compliance with ANSI, NEC standard and assure OSHA safety regulations.
  • Repair and install anything HVAC and plumbing relate
  • Service and charge HVAC systems.
  • Perform electrical repairs such as replacing switches, ballast and wiring.
  • Perform activities such as loading trucks, repairing and operating rock crushers, loaders, and excavators.
  • Follow OSHA protocols and standards for working with high-voltage equipment and heavy machinery in a constantly changing environment.
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Building maintenance mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Perform routine preventative maintenance and repairs to ensure that HVAC and mechanical equipment are operating according design specifications.
  • Accommodate minor upkeep complications including electrical, structural, plumbing, and equipment repair or replacement for residential facility.
  • Coordinate work activities of personnel through CMMS along with contractors and vendors.
  • Perform landscaping duties such as mowing lawns, raking leaves and trimming hedges and surrounding greens.
  • Repair and maintain over 62 chain, cable, and rack and pinion soot blowers with air and electric motors.
  • Care for outside plants and vegetation and sprinkler setups, mowing lawns and running errands to pick up what club need.
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Field maintenance technician vs building maintenance mechanic skills

Common field maintenance technician skills
  • Field Maintenance, 15%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Plumbing, 7%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 6%
  • OSHA, 6%
  • Routine Maintenance, 5%
Common building maintenance mechanic skills
  • Plumbing, 16%
  • HVAC, 13%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Ladders, 6%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Cleanliness, 4%

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