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Maintenance technician vs building maintenance mechanic

The differences between maintenance technicians and building maintenance mechanics 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 technician and a building maintenance mechanic. Additionally, a maintenance technician has an average salary of $43,293, which is higher than the $38,609 average annual salary of a building maintenance mechanic.

The top three skills for a maintenance technician include plumbing, HVAC and hand tools. The most important skills for a building maintenance mechanic are plumbing, HVAC, and hand tools.

Maintenance technician vs building maintenance mechanic overview

Maintenance TechnicianBuilding Maintenance Mechanic
Yearly salary$43,293$38,609
Hourly rate$20.81$18.56
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs178,450129,668
Job satisfaction4.25-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%High School Diploma, 44%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

What does a maintenance technician do?

Maintenance technicians are technicians who specialize in the preservation of office facilities. They have in-depth knowledge of how various office equipment or fixtures work so that they can immediately identify how to repair them in case of breakdowns. Maintenance technicians perform diagnostics and routine maintenance activities to ensure that everything in the office is running well. They immediately repair problems in fixtures or equipment to avoid any further damages or safety concerns. They should be familiar with occupational safety and health standards to ensure that the office is a safe place to work.

What does a building maintenance mechanic do?

A building maintenance mechanic is primarily in charge of maintaining mechanical systems and equipment in good condition. They conduct regular maintenance checks, performing repairs or replacements when necessary. They may also respond to issues and concerns, troubleshoot problems, install and upgrade systems, provide technical support and advice to staff, manage vehicles, monitor supply inventory, purchase supplies, and maintain records. Moreover, a building maintenance mechanic usually works in a team setting, which requires a clear communication line for a smooth and efficient workflow.

Maintenance technician vs building maintenance mechanic salary

Maintenance technicians and building maintenance mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

Maintenance TechnicianBuilding Maintenance Mechanic
Average salary$43,293$38,609
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $59,000Between $28,000 And $51,000
Highest paying CityRichmond, CATaunton, MA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandMassachusetts
Best paying companyAnheuser-BuschEmory University
Best paying industryManufacturingEnergy

Differences between maintenance technician and building maintenance mechanic education

There are a few differences between a maintenance technician and a building maintenance mechanic in terms of educational background:

Maintenance TechnicianBuilding Maintenance Mechanic
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%High School Diploma, 44%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyBusiness
Most common college--

Maintenance technician vs building maintenance mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between maintenance technicians' and building maintenance mechanics' demographics:

Maintenance TechnicianBuilding Maintenance Mechanic
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 95.7% Female, 4.3%Male, 92.1% Female, 7.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 4.6% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.5% Asian, 4.7% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between maintenance technician and building maintenance mechanic duties and responsibilities

Maintenance technician example responsibilities.

  • Install, repair and troubleshoot electrical wiring, including switches, outlets, lights, ballast.
  • Monitor and document all temperature readings on boilers, chillers, and dry vac systems beginning and mid shift.
  • Perform preventative maintenance checks and services on exhaust fans, boilers, chiller units, automatic transfer switches, and generators.
  • Repair electrical equipment; replace faulty electrical switches; repair refrigeration equipment.
  • Handle trouble-shooting and repair of mechanical systems refrigerant recovery and charging of HVAC systems.
  • Facilitate commercial plumbing, electrical, light HVAC, and carpentry repairs in a laboratory facility environment
  • Show more

Building maintenance mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Perform routine preventative maintenance and repairs to ensure that HVAC and mechanical equipment are operating according design specifications.
  • Accommodate minor upkeep complications including electrical, structural, plumbing, and equipment repair or replacement for residential facility.
  • Coordinate work activities of personnel through CMMS along with contractors and vendors.
  • Perform landscaping duties such as mowing lawns, raking leaves and trimming hedges and surrounding greens.
  • Repair and maintain over 62 chain, cable, and rack and pinion soot blowers with air and electric motors.
  • Care for outside plants and vegetation and sprinkler setups, mowing lawns and running errands to pick up what club need.
  • Show more

Maintenance technician vs building maintenance mechanic skills

Common maintenance technician skills
  • Plumbing, 10%
  • HVAC, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Ladders, 4%
  • Electrical Systems, 4%
Common building maintenance mechanic skills
  • Plumbing, 16%
  • HVAC, 13%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Ladders, 6%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Cleanliness, 4%

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