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The differences between maintenance helpers 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 maintenance helper and a maintenance engineer. Additionally, a maintenance engineer has an average salary of $47,133, which is higher than the $30,824 average annual salary of a maintenance helper.
The top three skills for a maintenance helper include hand tools, plumbing and ladders. The most important skills for a maintenance engineer are plumbing, HVAC, and guest rooms.
| Maintenance Helper | Maintenance Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $30,824 | $47,133 |
| Hourly rate | $14.82 | $22.66 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 105,592 | 97,957 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A maintenance helper performs basic support tasks to assist maintenance technicians in installing and repairing machines and equipment. Their responsibilities typically include gathering and handing tools, changing fixtures such as light bulbs and faucets, preparing workspaces, and cleaning work areas and equipment. They may also liaise with vendors or suppliers, build positive relationships with clients, and handle calls and correspondence. Moreover, maintenance helper must utilize their experiences to learn more complex tasks and gain industry insight.
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.
Maintenance helpers and maintenance engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Maintenance Helper | Maintenance Engineer | |
| Average salary | $30,824 | $47,133 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $40,000 | Between $29,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fairbanks, AK | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Analogic | Halliburton |
| Best paying industry | Energy | - |
There are a few differences between a maintenance helper and a maintenance engineer in terms of educational background:
| Maintenance Helper | Maintenance Engineer | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between maintenance helpers' and maintenance engineers' demographics:
| Maintenance Helper | Maintenance Engineer | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.5% Female, 10.5% | Male, 94.6% Female, 5.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 4.5% White, 59.0% 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 Percentage | 2% | 2% |