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The differences between mechanical technicians and preventive 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 a preventive maintenance technician takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a mechanical technician has an average salary of $51,367, which is higher than the $40,935 average annual salary of a preventive maintenance technician.
The top three skills for a mechanical technician include preventive maintenance, hand tools and electro-mechanical. The most important skills for a preventive maintenance technician are customer service, hand tools, and HVAC.
| Mechanical Technician | Preventive Maintenance Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $51,367 | $40,935 |
| Hourly rate | $24.70 | $19.68 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 106,997 | 170,517 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| 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.
A preventive maintenance technician performs routine facility maintenance to prevent possible mechanical failure. The technicians change worn out machine parts before they can cause mechanical damage. They keep the facility operating. It is their job to conduct quality assessments, maintain inventory, and schedule repairs. Also, they see to it that machines are up and running at all times. They are expected to be equipped with skills in customer service, problem-solving, reading comprehension, business operation, and mechanical aptitude.
Mechanical technicians and preventive maintenance technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mechanical Technician | Preventive Maintenance Technician | |
| Average salary | $51,367 | $40,935 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $68,000 | Between $31,000 And $52,000 |
| Highest paying City | Oakland, CA | Owatonna, MN |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Meta | Kiewit |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a mechanical technician and a preventive maintenance technician in terms of educational background:
| Mechanical Technician | Preventive Maintenance Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | Purdue University | - |
Here are the differences between mechanical technicians' and preventive maintenance technicians' demographics:
| Mechanical Technician | Preventive Maintenance Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.4% Female, 5.6% | Male, 91.8% Female, 8.2% |
| 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, 11.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 59.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 2% |