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The differences between repair specialists 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 repair specialist and a maintenance engineer. Additionally, a maintenance engineer has an average salary of $47,133, which is higher than the $40,844 average annual salary of a repair specialist.
The top three skills for a repair specialist include customer service, cleanliness and dexterity. The most important skills for a maintenance engineer are plumbing, HVAC, and guest rooms.
| Repair Specialist | Maintenance Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $40,844 | $47,133 |
| Hourly rate | $19.64 | $22.66 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 58,898 | 97,957 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 31% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
The duties of a repair specialist depend on their line of work or place of employment. In industries such as automotive and manufacturing, a repair specialist is typically a member of a maintenance team who repairs and maintains machinery and equipment. Among their responsibilities include performing inspections and examinations, troubleshooting problems, fixing and replacing components, modifying and upgrading parts, and conducting regular maintenance checks to ensure quality and efficiency. Moreover, a repair specialist typically works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a smooth and efficient workflow.
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.
Repair specialists and maintenance engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Repair Specialist | Maintenance Engineer | |
| Average salary | $40,844 | $47,133 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $71,000 | Between $29,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Stryker | Halliburton |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | - |
There are a few differences between a repair specialist and a maintenance engineer in terms of educational background:
| Repair Specialist | Maintenance Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 31% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between repair specialists' and maintenance engineers' demographics:
| Repair Specialist | Maintenance Engineer | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.0% Female, 18.0% | Male, 94.6% Female, 5.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 4.6% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% | 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% |