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Repair specialist vs maintenance technician

The differences between repair specialists and maintenance 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 repair specialist and a maintenance technician. Additionally, a maintenance technician has an average salary of $43,293, 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 technician are plumbing, HVAC, and hand tools.

Repair specialist vs maintenance technician overview

Repair SpecialistMaintenance Technician
Yearly salary$40,844$43,293
Hourly rate$19.64$20.81
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs58,898178,450
Job satisfaction-4.25
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 31%High School Diploma, 34%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

What does a repair specialist do?

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.

What does a maintenance technician do?

Maintenance technicians are technicians who specialize in the preservation of office facilities. They have in-depth knowledge of how various office equipment or fixtures work so that they can immediately identify how to repair them in case of breakdowns. Maintenance technicians perform diagnostics and routine maintenance activities to ensure that everything in the office is running well. They immediately repair problems in fixtures or equipment to avoid any further damages or safety concerns. They should be familiar with occupational safety and health standards to ensure that the office is a safe place to work.

Repair specialist vs maintenance technician salary

Repair specialists and maintenance technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Repair SpecialistMaintenance Technician
Average salary$40,844$43,293
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $71,000Between $31,000 And $59,000
Highest paying CitySan Jose, CARichmond, CA
Highest paying stateMarylandRhode Island
Best paying companyStrykerAnheuser-Busch
Best paying industryManufacturingManufacturing

Differences between repair specialist and maintenance technician education

There are a few differences between a repair specialist and a maintenance technician in terms of educational background:

Repair SpecialistMaintenance Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 31%High School Diploma, 34%
Most common majorBusinessElectrical Engineering Technology
Most common college--

Repair specialist vs maintenance technician demographics

Here are the differences between repair specialists' and maintenance technicians' demographics:

Repair SpecialistMaintenance Technician
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 82.0% Female, 18.0%Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3%
Race ratioBlack 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, 11.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 4.6% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between repair specialist and maintenance technician duties and responsibilities

Repair specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage and maintain clients' lawns through mowing, weed eating, and trimming bushes.
  • Maintain LAN user documentation including hardware / software applications, support logs, & other relate information.
  • Assemble, install, and repair electrical components, pipe systems, plumbing, machinery, and wiring.
  • Evaluate technical issues, solve client concerns, and troubleshot computer problems in an efficient and courteous manner.
  • Perform OS upgrades and installations.
  • Experience in stick and Mig welding operations, with fabrication work.
  • Show more

Maintenance technician example responsibilities.

  • Install, repair and troubleshoot electrical wiring, including switches, outlets, lights, ballast.
  • Monitor and document all temperature readings on boilers, chillers, and dry vac systems beginning and mid shift.
  • Perform preventative maintenance checks and services on exhaust fans, boilers, chiller units, automatic transfer switches, and generators.
  • Repair electrical equipment; replace faulty electrical switches; repair refrigeration equipment.
  • Handle trouble-shooting and repair of mechanical systems refrigerant recovery and charging of HVAC systems.
  • Facilitate commercial plumbing, electrical, light HVAC, and carpentry repairs in a laboratory facility environment
  • Show more

Repair specialist vs maintenance technician skills

Common repair specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 32%
  • Cleanliness, 23%
  • Dexterity, 5%
  • BARS, 5%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 5%
  • Technical Problems, 3%
Common maintenance technician skills
  • Plumbing, 10%
  • HVAC, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Ladders, 4%
  • Electrical Systems, 4%

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