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The differences between plant utilities engineers and maintenance engineers 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 maintenance engineer. Additionally, a plant utilities engineer has an average salary of $51,200, which is higher than the $47,133 average annual salary of a maintenance engineer.
The top three skills for a plant utilities engineer include ventilation, plant utilities and loaders. The most important skills for a maintenance engineer are plumbing, HVAC, and guest rooms.
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.
A maintenance engineer is responsible for the maintenance of industrial machinery and inspects equipment defects for immediate troubleshooting or replacement as needed. Maintenance engineers install and upgrade system components to improve system optimization and perform diagnostic systems to locate any adjustments. They also conduct routine checks, assist clients with technical faults, and ensure that the equipment works safely for certain operations. A maintenance engineer must have excellent knowledge of the mechanical industry to address technical malfunctions immediately.
Plant utilities engineers and maintenance engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Plant Utilities Engineer | Maintenance Engineer | |
| Average salary | $51,200 | $47,133 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $74,000 | Between $29,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | Waipahu, HI | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Bristol-Myers Squibb | Halliburton |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | - |
There are a few differences between a plant utilities engineer and a maintenance engineer in terms of educational background:
| Plant Utilities Engineer | Maintenance Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 34% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between plant utilities engineers' and maintenance engineers' demographics:
| Plant Utilities Engineer | Maintenance Engineer | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.7% Female, 11.3% | Male, 94.6% Female, 5.4% |
| 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, 19.9% Asian, 4.4% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |