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The differences between maintenance engineers 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 engineer and a building maintenance mechanic. Additionally, a maintenance engineer has an average salary of $47,133, which is higher than the $38,609 average annual salary of a building maintenance mechanic.
The top three skills for a maintenance engineer include plumbing, HVAC and guest rooms. The most important skills for a building maintenance mechanic are plumbing, HVAC, and hand tools.
| Maintenance Engineer | Building Maintenance Mechanic | |
| Yearly salary | $47,133 | $38,609 |
| Hourly rate | $22.66 | $18.56 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 97,957 | 129,668 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 48% | High School Diploma, 44% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
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 engineers and building maintenance mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Maintenance Engineer | Building Maintenance Mechanic | |
| Average salary | $47,133 | $38,609 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $74,000 | Between $28,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Taunton, MA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Halliburton | Emory University |
| Best paying industry | - | Energy |
There are a few differences between a maintenance engineer and a building maintenance mechanic in terms of educational background:
| Maintenance Engineer | Building Maintenance Mechanic | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 48% | High School Diploma, 44% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between maintenance engineers' and building maintenance mechanics' demographics:
| Maintenance Engineer | Building Maintenance Mechanic | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.6% Female, 5.4% | Male, 92.1% Female, 7.9% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 Percentage | 2% | 2% |