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Maintenance manager vs plant engineer

The differences between maintenance managers and plant engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a maintenance manager, becoming a plant engineer takes usually requires More than 10 years. Additionally, a plant engineer has an average salary of $93,949, which is higher than the $72,269 average annual salary of a maintenance manager.

The top three skills for a maintenance manager include OSHA, customer service and plumbing. The most important skills for a plant engineer are HVAC, project management, and plant operations.

Maintenance manager vs plant engineer overview

Maintenance ManagerPlant Engineer
Yearly salary$72,269$93,949
Hourly rate$34.74$45.17
Growth rate7%3%
Number of jobs61,74844,391
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age4948
Years of experience4-

What does a maintenance manager do?

A maintenance manager's role is to lead and oversee the workflow and workforce involved in the upkeep of a building or establishment. Duties include ensuring that all aspects are operational and in good condition. Some of the responsibilities of a maintenance manager are to supervise all installation and repairs in the building, arrange schedules for regular inspection, devise strategies, obtain cost-effective materials, and hire trustworthy contractors. Furthermore, maintenance managers must coordinate with all workforce involved and ensure that all operations adhere to the company's policies and regulations.

What does a plant engineer do?

A Plant Engineer is responsible for directing the smooth operation of the plant. They plan and coordinate activities concerned with the design, construction, modification, and maintenance of equipment and machinery in an industrial plant.

Maintenance manager vs plant engineer salary

Maintenance managers and plant engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Maintenance ManagerPlant Engineer
Average salary$72,269$93,949
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $109,000Between $67,000 And $130,000
Highest paying CitySacramento, CABerkeley, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyCalifornia
Best paying companyBP America IncBunge
Best paying industryGovernmentAutomotive

Differences between maintenance manager and plant engineer education

There are a few differences between a maintenance manager and a plant engineer in terms of educational background:

Maintenance ManagerPlant Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorBusinessMechanical Engineering
Most common collegeSUNY College of Technology at AlfredNorthwestern University

Maintenance manager vs plant engineer demographics

Here are the differences between maintenance managers' and plant engineers' demographics:

Maintenance ManagerPlant Engineer
Average age4948
Gender ratioMale, 94.0% Female, 6.0%Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 2.1% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 9.2% White, 69.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage4%8%

Differences between maintenance manager and plant engineer duties and responsibilities

Maintenance manager example responsibilities.

  • Select, contract, and manage vendors for MRO supplies or specialize maintenance services.
  • Maintain OEE on all equipment to achieve run performance goals and to produce 500MM pounds of finish product a year.
  • Arrange and schedule preventative and predictive maintenance activities to ensure maximum plant operational effectiveness using the CMMS system.
  • Reduce conversion expenses for plant maintenance by developing and implementing cost control strategies and the implementation CMMS base preventive maintenance program.
  • Implement vending machines plant wide for small electronic switches and cables.
  • Head of the maintenance department for a busy plastics sheeting extrusion plant.
  • Show more

Plant engineer example responsibilities.

  • Lead work cells to become a team; Harmonize/unite/motivate assembly personnel using Kaizen approach.
  • Provide guidance and training on NFPA 70E guidelines & conduct short circuit analysis for high voltage circuits.
  • Develop company Wiki pages for API 610 cryogenic pumps, API 620 tanks, and chill water systems.
  • Manufacture SolidWorks design parts using 3D printing, sheet metal tools, welders, mill, and lathe.
  • Guide maintenance and techs in troubleshooting large RF and microwave batch driers utilizing both RF and microwave technology.
  • Utilize lean six sigma tools to drive $250k savings from scrap reduction and increase productivity in the core department.
  • Show more

Maintenance manager vs plant engineer skills

Common maintenance manager skills
  • OSHA, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Plumbing, 6%
  • HVAC, 6%
  • Continuous Improvement, 5%
  • CMMS, 4%
Common plant engineer skills
  • HVAC, 6%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Plant Operations, 5%
  • Continuous Improvement, 4%
  • Plant Maintenance, 4%
  • Plumbing, 4%

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