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Industrial electrician vs industrial maintenance technician

The differences between industrial electricians and industrial 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 industrial maintenance technician takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an industrial electrician has an average salary of $62,533, which is higher than the $50,649 average annual salary of an industrial maintenance technician.

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

Industrial electrician vs industrial maintenance technician overview

Industrial ElectricianIndustrial Maintenance Technician
Yearly salary$62,533$50,649
Hourly rate$30.06$24.35
Growth rate7%5%
Number of jobs23,963169,569
Job satisfaction54
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 42%Associate Degree, 42%
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 industrial maintenance technician do?

An industrial maintenance technician is responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing commercial and industrial machinery in a building or a manufacturing plant. You will perform typical duties that include ensuring all machines function properly through preventative maintenance service, conducting tests to ensure production machinery functions properly, and performing safety checks and routine maintenance. Other duties include collaborating with the production team, preparing maintenance reports, and instructing and guiding new employees. An industrial maintenance technician also assesses the machinery's functionality and fabricates parts for machine upgrades and repair.

Industrial electrician vs industrial maintenance technician salary

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

Industrial ElectricianIndustrial Maintenance Technician
Average salary$62,533$50,649
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $82,000Between $38,000 And $66,000
Highest paying CitySaint Paul, MNRichmond, CA
Highest paying stateVermontAlaska
Best paying companyThe Washington PostBoehringer Ingelheim
Best paying industryAutomotiveManufacturing

Differences between industrial electrician and industrial maintenance technician education

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

Industrial ElectricianIndustrial Maintenance Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 42%Associate Degree, 42%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyIndustrial Technology
Most common college--

Industrial electrician vs industrial maintenance technician demographics

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

Industrial ElectricianIndustrial Maintenance Technician
Average age4247
Gender ratioMale, 96.6% Female, 3.4%Male, 96.5% Female, 3.5%
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, 11.7% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 4.7% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage3%2%

Differences between industrial electrician and industrial 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

Industrial maintenance technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage and maintain CNC machines and auto blasting equipment as well as auxiliary equipment.
  • Manage inventory of electrical components and HVAC filters.
  • Remove defective parts by dismantling machines or the components of, using hoists, cranes, hand and power tools.
  • Stick welding, TIG welding and MIG welding.
  • Operate MIG welder to perform abnormal repairs where necessary.
  • Stoop, climb ladders and lift heavy loads during function of duties.
  • Show more

Industrial electrician vs industrial maintenance technician skills

Common industrial electrician skills
  • Electrical Equipment, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 8%
  • Ac, 4%
  • Dc, 4%
  • Test Equipment, 4%
  • Industrial Maintenance, 4%
Common industrial maintenance technician skills
  • Industrial Maintenance, 21%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • PLC, 6%
  • Plumbing, 3%
  • Mechanical Equipment, 3%
  • Electrical Troubleshooting, 3%

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