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Maintainer vs maintenance engineer

The differences between maintainers and maintenance engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a maintainer and a maintenance engineer. Additionally, a maintainer has an average salary of $51,259, which is higher than the $47,133 average annual salary of a maintenance engineer.

The top three skills for a maintainer include hydraulic systems, suspension systems and test equipment. The most important skills for a maintenance engineer are plumbing, HVAC, and guest rooms.

Maintainer vs maintenance engineer overview

MaintainerMaintenance Engineer
Yearly salary$51,259$47,133
Hourly rate$24.64$22.66
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs8,13797,957
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 31%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

What does a maintainer do?

A maintainer serves as a time tracker that oversees and monitors the tasks of employees. They are the one who facilitates and reviews all the work, ensuring it is done according to specifications. Depending on what industry they work in, their function is to troubleshoot, repair, test, document, and review data that is needed.

What does a maintenance engineer do?

A maintenance engineer is responsible for the maintenance of industrial machinery and inspects equipment defects for immediate troubleshooting or replacement as needed. Maintenance engineers install and upgrade system components to improve system optimization and perform diagnostic systems to locate any adjustments. They also conduct routine checks, assist clients with technical faults, and ensure that the equipment works safely for certain operations. A maintenance engineer must have excellent knowledge of the mechanical industry to address technical malfunctions immediately.

Maintainer vs maintenance engineer salary

Maintainers and maintenance engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

MaintainerMaintenance Engineer
Average salary$51,259$47,133
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $82,000Between $29,000 And $74,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNew Jersey
Best paying companyParsonsHalliburton
Best paying industryTechnology-

Differences between maintainer and maintenance engineer education

There are a few differences between a maintainer and a maintenance engineer in terms of educational background:

MaintainerMaintenance Engineer
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 31%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorBusinessMechanical Engineering
Most common college--

Maintainer vs maintenance engineer demographics

Here are the differences between maintainers' and maintenance engineers' demographics:

MaintainerMaintenance Engineer
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 89.0% Female, 11.0%Male, 94.6% Female, 5.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 4.6% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 4.4% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between maintainer and maintenance engineer duties and responsibilities

Maintainer example responsibilities.

  • Manage LAN network and provide support for users.
  • Manage all contract work including snow removal, mowing, asphalt work, and signage.
  • Ignite torches and start power supplies and strike arcs by touching electrodes to metals being weld completing electrical circuits.
  • Perform preventive maintenance checks and services on radio receivers, transmitters, communications security equipment and other relate technologies.
  • Modify components using jigs or templates.
  • Rework of SMT components on circuit board.
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Maintenance engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage all contract work including snow removal, mowing, asphalt work, and signage.
  • Assist in and/or troubleshoot the building automation system and make recommendations for maintenance and repair to building control systems.
  • Maintain cleanliness and orderliness of facility and grounds per federal OSHA requirements.
  • Perform commercial maintenance/troubleshooting for plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems on commercial buildings and apartment complexes.
  • Work with, cut, and install PVC piping.
  • Well verse with PLC/ CNC diagnostic tools.
  • Show more

Maintainer vs maintenance engineer skills

Common maintainer skills
  • Hydraulic Systems, 13%
  • Suspension Systems, 10%
  • Test Equipment, 7%
  • Electrical Systems, 6%
  • Windows, 6%
  • Weapons Systems, 6%
Common maintenance engineer skills
  • Plumbing, 13%
  • HVAC, 10%
  • Guest Rooms, 5%
  • Ladders, 5%
  • Maintenance Tasks, 4%
  • OSHA, 4%

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