Janitorial maintenance worker vs building maintenance mechanic

The differences between janitorial 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 janitorial maintenance worker and a building maintenance mechanic. Additionally, a building maintenance mechanic has an average salary of $38,609, which is higher than the $24,698 average annual salary of a janitorial maintenance worker.

The top three skills for a janitorial maintenance worker include cleanliness, HVAC and light fixtures. The most important skills for a building maintenance mechanic are plumbing, HVAC, and hand tools.

Janitorial maintenance worker vs building maintenance mechanic overview

	Janitorial Maintenance Worker	Building Maintenance Mechanic
Yearly salary	$24,698	$38,609
Hourly rate	$11.87	$18.56
Growth rate	14%	5%
Number of jobs	103,876	129,668
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 44%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	4	4

What does a janitorial maintenance worker do?

A janitorial maintenance worker is one of the busiest employees in a company. They are responsible for inspecting all the office's rooms and equipment daily. They do the workplace's maintenance, including completing necessary repairs and replacing supplies. They mop the floor, wipe windows and blinds, and disinfect dirty areas. They also ensure that all employees go in and out of the office in a clean and orderly manner.

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.

Janitorial maintenance worker vs building maintenance mechanic salary

Janitorial maintenance workers and building maintenance mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Janitorial Maintenance Worker	Building Maintenance Mechanic
Average salary	$24,698	$38,609
Salary range	Between $19,000 And $31,000	Between $28,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City	Bellevue, WA	Taunton, MA
Highest paying state	Maine	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Brunswick	Emory University
Best paying industry	Retail	Energy

Differences between janitorial maintenance worker and building maintenance mechanic education

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

	Janitorial Maintenance Worker	Building Maintenance Mechanic
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 44%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Janitorial maintenance worker vs building maintenance mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between janitorial maintenance workers' and building maintenance mechanics' demographics:

	Janitorial Maintenance Worker	Building Maintenance Mechanic
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 82.2% Female, 17.8%	Male, 92.1% Female, 7.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 2.6% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4%	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	6%	2%

Differences between janitorial maintenance worker and building maintenance mechanic duties and responsibilities

Janitorial maintenance worker example responsibilities.

Assist with light building repairs, maintain building cleanliness, strip and wax floors, order and manage supplies.
Perform minor maintenance including plumbing and electrical.
Climb ladders and lift heavy loads during set-up for events.
power wash parking lot, clean fryers, clean bathrooms.
Perform various landscaping duties such as mowing grass and pruning trees.
Sanitize the available facilities at the restroom; basins, urinals, and toilets.

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.

Janitorial maintenance worker vs building maintenance mechanic skills

Common janitorial maintenance worker skills

Cleanliness, 26%
HVAC, 21%
Light Fixtures, 16%
OSHA, 4%
Plumbing, 4%
Building Floors, 3%

Common building maintenance mechanic skills

Plumbing, 16%
HVAC, 13%
Hand Tools, 6%
Ladders, 6%
Customer Service, 6%
Cleanliness, 4%

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Janitorial Maintenance Worker
Janitorial Maintenance Worker vs Building Maintenance Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

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