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Industrial electrician vs electrical maintenance technician

The differences between industrial electricians and electrical maintenance technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become an industrial electrician, becoming an electrical maintenance technician takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an industrial electrician has an average salary of $62,533, which is higher than the $59,898 average annual salary of an electrical maintenance technician.

The top three skills for an industrial electrician include electrical equipment, hand tools and ac. The most important skills for an electrical maintenance technician are electrical equipment, ac dc, and industrial maintenance.

Industrial electrician vs electrical maintenance technician overview

Industrial ElectricianElectrical Maintenance Technician
Yearly salary$62,533$59,898
Hourly rate$30.06$28.80
Growth rate7%5%
Number of jobs23,963206,538
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 42%Associate Degree, 50%
Average age4247
Years of experience124

What does an industrial electrician do?

An Industrial Electrician installs, maintains, and repairs electrical systems in industrial facilities. They are usually part of a construction team to put in and check new equipment and systems.

What does an electrical maintenance technician do?

An electrical maintenance technician is primarily in charge of installing and repairing electrical systems. Their responsibilities often revolve around liaising with clients to identify their needs, examining electrical damages or defects on houses or establishments, troubleshooting, and performing fixes and replacements as needed. Aside from providing technical support, an electrical maintenance technician may also train junior technicians and monitor their progress. Furthermore, in a company setting, one must conduct regular maintenance checks on electrical systems to ensure a safe and efficient work environment.

Industrial electrician vs electrical maintenance technician salary

Industrial electricians and electrical maintenance technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Industrial ElectricianElectrical Maintenance Technician
Average salary$62,533$59,898
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $82,000Between $47,000 And $75,000
Highest paying CitySaint Paul, MNOakland, CA
Highest paying stateVermontAlaska
Best paying companyThe Washington PostAnheuser-Busch
Best paying industryAutomotiveHospitality

Differences between industrial electrician and electrical maintenance technician education

There are a few differences between an industrial electrician and an electrical maintenance technician in terms of educational background:

Industrial ElectricianElectrical Maintenance Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 42%Associate Degree, 50%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyElectrical Engineering Technology
Most common college--

Industrial electrician vs electrical maintenance technician demographics

Here are the differences between industrial electricians' and electrical maintenance technicians' demographics:

Industrial ElectricianElectrical Maintenance Technician
Average age4247
Gender ratioMale, 96.6% Female, 3.4%Male, 96.7% Female, 3.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 2.2% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 4.6% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage3%2%

Differences between industrial electrician and electrical maintenance technician duties and responsibilities

Industrial electrician example responsibilities.

  • Lead team to retrofit outdate piece of CNC machinery to allow usage for production personnel on a new design part.
  • Install electrical services ranging from 480 volts ac to 24 volts dc.
  • Include the installation of EMT and rigid conduit for branch circuits, fire alarm systems and motor control circuits.
  • Job responsibilities include running conduit wiring transformers and terminating PLC cabinets.
  • Work with voltages ranging from 24 vdc to 2300 vac.
  • Maintain both A/C and D/C main power generation systems.
  • Show more

Electrical maintenance technician example responsibilities.

  • Configure and repair DC motor controls.
  • Install and programme HMI and MMI systems.
  • Perform routine preventative maintenance and work orders using CMMS.
  • Work aloft on ladders, elevate platforms, and lifts to troubleshoot circuits.
  • Install, development and maintain Wonderware, Citect and Allen Bradley HMI systems.
  • Train company electricians on basic troubleshooting and repair of DC drives and other control equipments.
  • Show more

Industrial electrician vs electrical maintenance technician skills

Common industrial electrician skills
  • Electrical Equipment, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 8%
  • Ac, 4%
  • Dc, 4%
  • Test Equipment, 4%
  • Industrial Maintenance, 4%
Common electrical maintenance technician skills
  • Electrical Equipment, 6%
  • Ac Dc, 5%
  • Industrial Maintenance, 5%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 5%
  • Electrical Systems, 5%
  • Control Systems, 4%

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