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The differences between general maintenance workers 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 general maintenance worker and a building maintenance mechanic. Additionally, a building maintenance mechanic has an average salary of $38,609, which is higher than the $36,917 average annual salary of a general maintenance worker.
The top three skills for a general maintenance worker include general maintenance, plumbing and switches. The most important skills for a building maintenance mechanic are plumbing, HVAC, and hand tools.
| General Maintenance Worker | Building Maintenance Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $36,917 | $38,609 |
| Hourly rate | $17.75 | $18.56 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 153,538 | 129,668 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | High School Diploma, 44% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A general maintenance worker plays a vital role in keeping buildings and establishments running smoothly and efficiently. They are in charge of performing a variety of maintenance tasks such as repairing malfunctioning equipment and systems, replacing light bulbs and other fixtures, handling mechanical fixes, and maintaining the cleanliness of work areas. They must also perform regular maintenance checks on systems, performing repairs and replacements as needed. Moreover, they must also organize and monitor the inventory of supplies, storing them according to the company's policies and regulations.
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.
General maintenance workers and building maintenance mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| General Maintenance Worker | Building Maintenance Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $36,917 | $38,609 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $50,000 | Between $28,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Taunton, MA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Jacobs Engineering Group | Emory University |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Energy |
There are a few differences between a general maintenance worker and a building maintenance mechanic in terms of educational background:
| General Maintenance Worker | Building Maintenance Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | High School Diploma, 44% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between general maintenance workers' and building maintenance mechanics' demographics:
| General Maintenance Worker | Building Maintenance Mechanic | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7% | Male, 92.1% Female, 7.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.9% Asian, 4.3% White, 58.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | 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 Percentage | 2% | 2% |