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The differences between plant utilities engineers and facilities 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 plant utilities engineer and a facilities technician. Additionally, a plant utilities engineer has an average salary of $51,200, which is higher than the $40,344 average annual salary of a facilities technician.
The top three skills for a plant utilities engineer include ventilation, plant utilities and loaders. The most important skills for a facilities technician are preventative maintenance, HVAC, and plumbing.
Plant utilities engineers must have basic knowledge of commercial electrical systems and testing equipment, high temperature water distribution, and HVAC control systems. Qualifications will vary depending on the company; they range from a high school diploma or GED to associate degrees in plant utilities technology or completion of a trade school program. Those who choose this career will be expected to maintain and operate the mechanical equipment in a utilities plant.
Facilities Technicians are employees who manage the upkeep of the company's facilities. They are in charge of maintaining the different equipment, fixtures, and furniture in the office. They conduct routine maintenance and regular check-ups to ensure that everything is working properly at all times. In case of malfunctioning items, facilities technicians try to repair these items if they know how or schedule the item for repair. They also ensure that the facility's occupational safety and health standards are met, and the employees follow safety protocols.
Plant utilities engineers and facilities technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Plant Utilities Engineer | Facilities Technician | |
| Average salary | $51,200 | $40,344 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $74,000 | Between $27,000 And $59,000 |
| Highest paying City | Waipahu, HI | Saint Paul, MN |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Minnesota |
| Best paying company | Bristol-Myers Squibb | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Energy |
There are a few differences between a plant utilities engineer and a facilities technician in terms of educational background:
| Plant Utilities Engineer | Facilities Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 34% | Bachelor's Degree, 30% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between plant utilities engineers' and facilities technicians' demographics:
| Plant Utilities Engineer | Facilities Technician | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.7% Female, 11.3% | Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 5.4% White, 64.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3% | Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.9% Asian, 4.4% White, 58.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |