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The differences between plant utilities engineers and maintenance workers 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 worker. Additionally, a plant utilities engineer has an average salary of $51,200, which is higher than the $36,132 average annual salary of a maintenance worker.
The top three skills for a plant utilities engineer include ventilation, plant utilities and loaders. The most important skills for a maintenance worker are plumbing, GRASS, and general maintenance.
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.
Maintenance workers are employees assigned to oversee the equipment, furniture, and fixtures in the office. They ensure that these items work correctly by doing routine check-ups, identifying any problems, anticipating challenges, sourcing for spare parts, and repairing problems. They also ensure that all the equipment, furniture, and fixtures are clean and always ready for use. They should be familiar with all the official instructions and procedures to ensure that they can adequately care for these items. They may also handle the installation of any new equipment.
Plant utilities engineers and maintenance workers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Plant Utilities Engineer | Maintenance Worker | |
| Average salary | $51,200 | $36,132 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $74,000 | Between $25,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | Waipahu, HI | Santa Rosa, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Bristol-Myers Squibb | ABB |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a plant utilities engineer and a maintenance worker in terms of educational background:
| Plant Utilities Engineer | Maintenance Worker | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 34% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between plant utilities engineers' and maintenance workers' demographics:
| Plant Utilities Engineer | Maintenance Worker | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.7% Female, 11.3% | Male, 88.0% Female, 12.0% |
| 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, 10.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 4.5% White, 59.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |