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Mechanical handyman vs maintenance technician

The differences between mechanical handymen and maintenance technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a mechanical handyman and a maintenance technician. Additionally, a mechanical handyman has an average salary of $48,856, which is higher than the $43,293 average annual salary of a maintenance technician.

The top three skills for a mechanical handyman include plumbing, mowing and oil changes. The most important skills for a maintenance technician are plumbing, HVAC, and hand tools.

Mechanical handyman vs maintenance technician overview

Mechanical HandymanMaintenance Technician
Yearly salary$48,856$43,293
Hourly rate$23.49$20.81
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs18,854178,450
Job satisfaction-4.25
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%High School Diploma, 34%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

Mechanical handyman vs maintenance technician salary

Mechanical handymen and maintenance technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Mechanical HandymanMaintenance Technician
Average salary$48,856$43,293
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $83,000Between $31,000 And $59,000
Highest paying City-Richmond, CA
Highest paying state-Rhode Island
Best paying company-Anheuser-Busch
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between mechanical handyman and maintenance technician education

There are a few differences between a mechanical handyman and a maintenance technician in terms of educational background:

Mechanical HandymanMaintenance Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%High School Diploma, 34%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyElectrical Engineering Technology
Most common college--

Mechanical handyman vs maintenance technician demographics

Here are the differences between mechanical handymen' and maintenance technicians' demographics:

Mechanical HandymanMaintenance Technician
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 98.8% Female, 1.2%Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 22.2% Asian, 4.3% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between mechanical handyman and maintenance technician duties and responsibilities

Mechanical handyman example responsibilities.

  • Dispatch work accordingly, manage and assist team members with more complex repairs and diagnosis.
  • Perform all repairs and replacements relating to plumbing, electric, carpentry and boiler maintenance.
  • Prepare mortar compounds, spread and apply mortar, finish masonry joints, reappoint mortar and replace roofs.
  • Respond to tenant work orders and request for maintenance services including plastering, painting, replacements, installations, and troubleshooting.
  • Install ceramic tiling and laminate flooring
  • Complete high-quality bathroom remodeling and kitchen and basement tiling, including advanced/creative tile design.
  • Show more

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

Mechanical handyman vs maintenance technician skills

Common mechanical handyman skills
  • Plumbing, 62%
  • Mowing, 7%
  • Oil Changes, 7%
  • General Maintenance, 5%
  • Water Pumps, 5%
  • HVAC, 4%
Common maintenance technician skills
  • Plumbing, 10%
  • HVAC, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Ladders, 4%
  • Electrical Systems, 4%

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