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Maintenance assistant vs building maintenance mechanic

The differences between maintenance assistants 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 maintenance assistant and a building maintenance mechanic. Additionally, a building maintenance mechanic has an average salary of $38,609, which is higher than the $31,915 average annual salary of a maintenance assistant.

The top three skills for a maintenance assistant include plumbing, HVAC and customer service. The most important skills for a building maintenance mechanic are plumbing, HVAC, and hand tools.

Maintenance assistant vs building maintenance mechanic overview

Maintenance AssistantBuilding Maintenance Mechanic
Yearly salary$31,915$38,609
Hourly rate$15.34$18.56
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs95,815129,668
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 35%High School Diploma, 44%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

What does a maintenance assistant do?

A maintenance assistant is responsible for maintaining the company's facilities' cleanliness, ensuring that all the equipment and machinery are in working condition, and escalating high defective items for repair. Maintenance assistants should adhere to the organization's safety standards at all times to prevent hazards in operations. They also assist with monitoring inventories and requesting office supplies, inspect electrical wirings and systems for inconsistencies, respond to cleaning and repair requests, and assist guests to the correct departments.

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.

Maintenance assistant vs building maintenance mechanic salary

Maintenance assistants and building maintenance mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

Maintenance AssistantBuilding Maintenance Mechanic
Average salary$31,915$38,609
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $41,000Between $28,000 And $51,000
Highest paying CityLas Vegas, NVTaunton, MA
Highest paying stateHawaiiMassachusetts
Best paying companyBrigham and Women's HospitalEmory University
Best paying industryGovernmentEnergy

Differences between maintenance assistant and building maintenance mechanic education

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

Maintenance AssistantBuilding Maintenance Mechanic
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 35%High School Diploma, 44%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Maintenance assistant vs building maintenance mechanic demographics

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

Maintenance AssistantBuilding Maintenance Mechanic
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 86.6% Female, 13.4%Male, 92.1% Female, 7.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 4.4% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%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 Percentage2%2%

Differences between maintenance assistant and building maintenance mechanic duties and responsibilities

Maintenance assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage long-term working relationships with many local service providers including professional septic, plumbing, electrical and HVAC providers.
  • Program and adjust PLC systems and associate communications.
  • Coordinate inspection and verify work of roofing vendors.
  • Conduce control testing on PLC's for crane trolleys.
  • Change grease for fryers and occasionally cook on the grill.
  • Maintain the integrity and dexterity of the hospital's appearance.
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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.
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Maintenance assistant vs building maintenance mechanic skills

Common maintenance assistant skills
  • Plumbing, 15%
  • HVAC, 10%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Patients, 5%
  • Electrical Equipment, 5%
  • Maintenance Tasks, 4%
Common building maintenance mechanic skills
  • Plumbing, 16%
  • HVAC, 13%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Ladders, 6%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Cleanliness, 4%

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