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Maintenance craftsman vs preventive maintenance technician

The differences between maintenance craftsmen and preventive maintenance technicians 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 craftsman and a preventive maintenance technician. Additionally, a preventive maintenance technician has an average salary of $40,935, which is higher than the $32,902 average annual salary of a maintenance craftsman.

The top three skills for a maintenance craftsman include plumbing, ladders and troubleshoot. The most important skills for a preventive maintenance technician are customer service, hand tools, and HVAC.

Maintenance craftsman vs preventive maintenance technician overview

Maintenance CraftsmanPreventive Maintenance Technician
Yearly salary$32,902$40,935
Hourly rate$15.82$19.68
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs88,894170,517
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 51%Associate Degree, 31%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

What does a maintenance craftsman do?

A maintenance craftsman is a flexible and diverse career as they provide different services to their client. They are often responsible for monitoring, operating, and maintaining good quality equipment and machinery. They also perform the repair and construction of materials that are needed in a particular industry or field. Craftsmen are also responsible for facilitating systems and technology on a day-to-day basis. Requirements include broad knowledge and skills in crafting and repairing materials that are used in businesses.

What does a preventive maintenance technician do?

A preventive maintenance technician performs routine facility maintenance to prevent possible mechanical failure. The technicians change worn out machine parts before they can cause mechanical damage. They keep the facility operating. It is their job to conduct quality assessments, maintain inventory, and schedule repairs. Also, they see to it that machines are up and running at all times. They are expected to be equipped with skills in customer service, problem-solving, reading comprehension, business operation, and mechanical aptitude.

Maintenance craftsman vs preventive maintenance technician salary

Maintenance craftsmen and preventive maintenance technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Maintenance CraftsmanPreventive Maintenance Technician
Average salary$32,902$40,935
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $42,000Between $31,000 And $52,000
Highest paying CitySpringfield, MAOwatonna, MN
Highest paying stateMinnesotaAlaska
Best paying companyEmersonKiewit
Best paying industryManufacturingAutomotive

Differences between maintenance craftsman and preventive maintenance technician education

There are a few differences between a maintenance craftsman and a preventive maintenance technician in terms of educational background:

Maintenance CraftsmanPreventive Maintenance Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 51%Associate Degree, 31%
Most common majorAviationAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Maintenance craftsman vs preventive maintenance technician demographics

Here are the differences between maintenance craftsmen' and preventive maintenance technicians' demographics:

Maintenance CraftsmanPreventive Maintenance Technician
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 92.9% Female, 7.1%Male, 91.8% Female, 8.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 4.6% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 59.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between maintenance craftsman and preventive maintenance technician duties and responsibilities

Maintenance craftsman example responsibilities.

  • Manage 22 active duty hydraulic technicians in support of 32 of USAF's 59 KC-10A aircraft.
  • Inspect, install, repair, maintain, troubleshoot, service and modify tactical aircraft systems, components and aircraft-instal components.
  • Review require customer and FAA paperwork to ensure proper maintenance updates and compliance with applicable regulations and customer requirements.
  • Maintain plastic extrusion equipment.Other maintenance duties as required

Preventive maintenance technician example responsibilities.

  • Initiate and implement first preventative maintenance program for CNC, mills and lathes for the maintenance dept.
  • Control circuit and PLC installation and programming.
  • Climb poles, ladders and other structures as needed.
  • Train and knowledgeable of OSHA's rules and regulations.
  • Insure vehicle are meeting all safety guidelines as set for by ANSI and OSHA.
  • Assist higher-level heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) mechanics.
  • Show more

Maintenance craftsman vs preventive maintenance technician skills

Common maintenance craftsman skills
  • Plumbing, 10%
  • Ladders, 8%
  • Troubleshoot, 7%
  • Maintenance Tasks, 7%
  • HVAC, 6%
  • Maintenance Actions, 5%
Common preventive maintenance technician skills
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Hand Tools, 8%
  • HVAC, 8%
  • Dishwashers, 6%
  • Plumbing, 5%
  • Water Filters, 4%

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