Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between low voltage technicians and maintenance electricians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a low voltage technician and a maintenance electrician. Additionally, a maintenance electrician has an average salary of $62,112, which is higher than the $39,605 average annual salary of a low voltage technician.
The top three skills for a low voltage technician include hand tools, CCTV and patch panels. The most important skills for a maintenance electrician are electrical equipment, hand tools, and preventative maintenance.
| Low Voltage Technician | Maintenance Electrician | |
| Yearly salary | $39,605 | $62,112 |
| Hourly rate | $19.04 | $29.86 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 40,465 | 92,944 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | Associate Degree, 44% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A low voltage technician is responsible for monitoring and installing low-voltage cables and systems for electronic equipment and communication devices. Low voltage technicians analyze blueprints and schematics to connect the cables safely and accurately. They also conduct repairs for defective components and faulty wirings, recommending solutions and low-cost materials with high quality according to the customers' needs and budget limitations. A low voltage technician must have excellent electrical and organizational skills, especially in performing duties with utmost adherence to safety guidelines and procedures to prevent hazards and operational delays.
A maintenance electrician is responsible for monitoring the electrical systems of a building, inspecting the wiring and cables for any malfunctions, and perform preventive maintenance as needed to ensure its safety and efficiency. Maintenance electricians upgrade electrical network systems for optimal performance and replacing faulty wiring, as well as installing new equipment in the building as the management advises. They also analyze schematics and blueprints for electrical line placements and running diagnostic tests to identify possible defects for immediate resolution. A maintenance electrician must have excellent knowledge of the electrical industry, especially on recording maintenance reports and solutions.
Low voltage technicians and maintenance electricians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Low Voltage Technician | Maintenance Electrician | |
| Average salary | $39,605 | $62,112 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $50,000 | Between $46,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | Oakland, CA | Saint Paul, MN |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Massachusetts General Hospital | PBF Energy |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a low voltage technician and a maintenance electrician in terms of educational background:
| Low Voltage Technician | Maintenance Electrician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | Associate Degree, 44% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering Technology | Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between low voltage technicians' and maintenance electricians' demographics:
| Low Voltage Technician | Maintenance Electrician | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3% | Male, 96.8% Female, 3.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 22.7% Asian, 2.1% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 2.3% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |