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The differences between maintenance helpers and maintenance workers 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 worker. Additionally, a maintenance worker has an average salary of $36,132, 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 worker are plumbing, GRASS, and general maintenance.
| Maintenance Helper | Maintenance Worker | |
| Yearly salary | $30,824 | $36,132 |
| Hourly rate | $14.82 | $17.37 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 105,592 | 115,130 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 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.
Maintenance workers are employees assigned to oversee the equipment, furniture, and fixtures in the office. They ensure that these items work correctly by doing routine check-ups, identifying any problems, anticipating challenges, sourcing for spare parts, and repairing problems. They also ensure that all the equipment, furniture, and fixtures are clean and always ready for use. They should be familiar with all the official instructions and procedures to ensure that they can adequately care for these items. They may also handle the installation of any new equipment.
Maintenance helpers and maintenance workers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Maintenance Helper | Maintenance Worker | |
| Average salary | $30,824 | $36,132 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $40,000 | Between $25,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fairbanks, AK | Santa Rosa, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Analogic | ABB |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a maintenance helper and a maintenance worker in terms of educational background:
| Maintenance Helper | Maintenance Worker | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between maintenance helpers' and maintenance workers' demographics:
| Maintenance Helper | Maintenance Worker | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.5% Female, 10.5% | Male, 88.0% Female, 12.0% |
| 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, 10.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 4.5% White, 59.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |