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Maintenance specialist vs maintenance engineer

The differences between maintenance specialists 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 specialist and a maintenance engineer. Additionally, a maintenance engineer has an average salary of $47,133, which is higher than the $41,690 average annual salary of a maintenance specialist.

The top three skills for a maintenance specialist include plumbing, hand tools and HVAC. The most important skills for a maintenance engineer are plumbing, HVAC, and guest rooms.

Maintenance specialist vs maintenance engineer overview

Maintenance SpecialistMaintenance Engineer
Yearly salary$41,690$47,133
Hourly rate$20.04$22.66
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs114,96197,957
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

What does a maintenance specialist do?

A maintenance specialist is responsible for maintaining the company's technology equipment and machinery, as well as computer and network systems, and other related instruments to support the business operational functions, ensuring the highest client service and satisfaction. Maintenance specialists conduct preventive and repair maintenance, inspect defective lines and components, and perform troubleshooting to maintain optimal performance and service delivery. A maintenance specialist must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, especially when assisting the end-users with their concerns and inquiries.

What does a maintenance engineer do?

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 specialist vs maintenance engineer salary

Maintenance specialists and maintenance engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Maintenance SpecialistMaintenance Engineer
Average salary$41,690$47,133
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $60,000Between $29,000 And $74,000
Highest paying CityYork, PANew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNew Jersey
Best paying companyQorvoHalliburton
Best paying industryTechnology-

Differences between maintenance specialist and maintenance engineer education

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

Maintenance SpecialistMaintenance Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorBusinessMechanical Engineering
Most common college--

Maintenance specialist vs maintenance engineer demographics

Here are the differences between maintenance specialists' and maintenance engineers' demographics:

Maintenance SpecialistMaintenance Engineer
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 82.6% Female, 17.4%Male, 94.6% Female, 5.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 4.5% White, 60.8% 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 Percentage2%2%

Differences between maintenance specialist and maintenance engineer duties and responsibilities

Maintenance specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage and maintain clients' lawns through mowing, weed eating, and trimming bushes.
  • Conduct general maintenance preventative maintenance duties in the areas of plumbing and electrical.
  • Perform installations, preventive maintenance and repairs on commercial and institutional HVAC systems.
  • Reassemble machinery in new location and troubleshoot to bring up to standards.
  • Work on dorm rooftops climbing ladders and utilizing power tools such as drills, sanders and saws.
  • Trouble shooting conveyor system parts which include pneumatic devices, electronic devices, motors and PLC's.
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Maintenance engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage all contract work including snow removal, mowing, asphalt work, and signage.
  • Assist in and/or troubleshoot the building automation system and make recommendations for maintenance and repair to building control systems.
  • Maintain cleanliness and orderliness of facility and grounds per federal OSHA requirements.
  • Perform commercial maintenance/troubleshooting for plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems on commercial buildings and apartment complexes.
  • Work with, cut, and install PVC piping.
  • Well verse with PLC/ CNC diagnostic tools.
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Maintenance specialist vs maintenance engineer skills

Common maintenance specialist skills
  • Plumbing, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • HVAC, 6%
  • General Maintenance, 4%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 4%
  • GRASS, 4%
Common maintenance engineer skills
  • Plumbing, 13%
  • HVAC, 10%
  • Guest Rooms, 5%
  • Ladders, 5%
  • Maintenance Tasks, 4%
  • OSHA, 4%

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