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The differences between machine maintenance technicians and maintenance electricians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a machine maintenance technician, becoming a maintenance electrician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a maintenance electrician has an average salary of $62,112, which is higher than the $42,187 average annual salary of a machine maintenance technician.
The top three skills for a machine maintenance technician include preventative maintenance, hand tools and PLC. The most important skills for a maintenance electrician are electrical equipment, hand tools, and preventative maintenance.
| Machine Maintenance Technician | Maintenance Electrician | |
| Yearly salary | $42,187 | $62,112 |
| Hourly rate | $20.28 | $29.86 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 156,225 | 92,944 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 42% | Associate Degree, 44% |
| Average age | 47 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
A Machine Maintenance Technician will conduct machinery and equipment maintenance routinely. As a Maintenance Technician, you will help troubleshoot and repair any electrical or mechanical issues that may arise. Your duties may day-to-day duties may vary but typically include installing new manufacturing equipment, performing equipment calibration, and addressing safety hazard risks. Part of your duty is to communicate potential and existing problems with your supervisor and comply with safety policies and measures. Additionally, you will also need to maintain a clean and safe working environment.
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.
Machine maintenance technicians and maintenance electricians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Machine Maintenance Technician | Maintenance Electrician | |
| Average salary | $42,187 | $62,112 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $57,000 | Between $46,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | Coon Rapids, MN | Saint Paul, MN |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Kennametal | PBF Energy |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a machine maintenance technician and a maintenance electrician in terms of educational background:
| Machine Maintenance Technician | Maintenance Electrician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 42% | Associate Degree, 44% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between machine maintenance technicians' and maintenance electricians' demographics:
| Machine Maintenance Technician | Maintenance Electrician | |
| Average age | 47 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.6% Female, 3.4% | Male, 96.8% Female, 3.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 4.6% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% | 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 | 2% | 3% |