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The differences between mechanical technicians and electrical maintenance technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a mechanical technician, becoming an electrical maintenance technician takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an electrical maintenance technician has an average salary of $59,898, which is higher than the $51,367 average annual salary of a mechanical technician.
The top three skills for a mechanical technician include preventive maintenance, hand tools and electro-mechanical. The most important skills for an electrical maintenance technician are electrical equipment, ac dc, and industrial maintenance.
| Mechanical Technician | Electrical Maintenance Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $51,367 | $59,898 |
| Hourly rate | $24.70 | $28.80 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 106,997 | 206,538 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 45 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
The primary job of mechanical technicians is to help mechanical engineers design, develop, test, and manufacture mechanical devices such as machines and engines. They typically do varied tasks, including evaluating design sketches for new and changing tools, discussing changes with colleagues, and reviewing blueprints and instructions for projects. As a mechanical technician, you are also responsible for estimating equipment life, plant space, and labor costs. To become successful in this role, you need to have an associate degree in mechanical engineering technology, excellent communication skills, and mechanical skills.
An electrical maintenance technician is primarily in charge of installing and repairing electrical systems. Their responsibilities often revolve around liaising with clients to identify their needs, examining electrical damages or defects on houses or establishments, troubleshooting, and performing fixes and replacements as needed. Aside from providing technical support, an electrical maintenance technician may also train junior technicians and monitor their progress. Furthermore, in a company setting, one must conduct regular maintenance checks on electrical systems to ensure a safe and efficient work environment.
Mechanical technicians and electrical maintenance technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mechanical Technician | Electrical Maintenance Technician | |
| Average salary | $51,367 | $59,898 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $68,000 | Between $47,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | Oakland, CA | Oakland, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Meta | Anheuser-Busch |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a mechanical technician and an electrical maintenance technician in terms of educational background:
| Mechanical Technician | Electrical Maintenance Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Most common college | Purdue University | - |
Here are the differences between mechanical technicians' and electrical maintenance technicians' demographics:
| Mechanical Technician | Electrical Maintenance Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.4% Female, 5.6% | Male, 96.7% Female, 3.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 7.8% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 4.6% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 2% |