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Maintenance manager vs section chief

The differences between maintenance managers and section chiefs 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 manager and a section chief. Additionally, a section chief has an average salary of $78,816, 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 section chief are safety procedures, training programs, and professional development.

Maintenance manager vs section chief overview

Maintenance ManagerSection Chief
Yearly salary$72,269$78,816
Hourly rate$34.74$37.89
Growth rate7%6%
Number of jobs61,74813,655
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age4949
Years of experience44

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 section chief do?

A section chief's job varies with the type of organization. In most cases, a section chief is the head of a given section in an organization that is tasked with performing certain duties. A section chief is the head of a unit and provides leadership, motivation, and management of a section of employees. Their duties and responsibilities include reviewing and overseeing budgets, expenditure, and section activities.

Maintenance manager vs section chief salary

Maintenance managers and section chiefs have different pay scales, as shown below.

Maintenance ManagerSection Chief
Average salary$72,269$78,816
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $109,000Between $37,000 And $163,000
Highest paying CitySacramento, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNew York
Best paying companyBP America IncLearjet
Best paying industryGovernmentGovernment

Differences between maintenance manager and section chief education

There are a few differences between a maintenance manager and a section chief in terms of educational background:

Maintenance ManagerSection Chief
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeSUNY College of Technology at AlfredSUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Maintenance manager vs section chief demographics

Here are the differences between maintenance managers' and section chiefs' demographics:

Maintenance ManagerSection Chief
Average age4949
Gender ratioMale, 94.0% Female, 6.0%Male, 88.4% Female, 11.6%
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, 8.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 2.1% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between maintenance manager and section chief 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.
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Section chief example responsibilities.

  • Manage sortie production on 17 USAF E-8C aircraft worth $6.2 billion.
  • Manage HAZMAT accumulation storage points and documentation.
  • Manage training time effectively ensuring employees have every opportunity to learn necessary skills to succeed in a combat environment.
  • Assist in planning, implementing and administering educational training that enhance performance in combat operations for soldiers to accomplish every mission.
  • Provide leadership and knowledge of federal shipping and logistics regulations by managing adherence to all policies and procedures from higher headquarters.
  • Complete HAZMAT transport course and establish on-site certifying capability.
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Maintenance manager vs section chief skills

Common maintenance manager skills
  • OSHA, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Plumbing, 6%
  • HVAC, 6%
  • Continuous Improvement, 5%
  • CMMS, 4%
Common section chief skills
  • Safety Procedures, 22%
  • Training Programs, 9%
  • Professional Development, 7%
  • Logistical Support, 6%
  • Combat, 6%
  • Corrective Action, 5%

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