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The differences between service electricians and maintenance electricians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a service electrician and a maintenance electrician. Additionally, a maintenance electrician has an average salary of $62,112, which is higher than the $57,731 average annual salary of a service electrician.
The top three skills for a service electrician include customer service, ladders and electrical systems. The most important skills for a maintenance electrician are electrical equipment, hand tools, and preventative maintenance.
A service electrician specializes in installing and repairing electrical systems and equipment in commercial and residential areas. They typically meet with clients to identify and understand their needs, perform installations and inspections, troubleshoot problems, replace or fix wirings, and perform regular maintenance checks to ensure efficiency and client safety. Most service electricians work as an independent contractor, although there are instances where they work with a team of other electricians and specialists. Moreover, they must build positive relationships with clients for a strong client base.
A maintenance electrician is responsible for monitoring the electrical systems of a building, inspecting the wiring and cables for any malfunctions, and perform preventive maintenance as needed to ensure its safety and efficiency. Maintenance electricians upgrade electrical network systems for optimal performance and replacing faulty wiring, as well as installing new equipment in the building as the management advises. They also analyze schematics and blueprints for electrical line placements and running diagnostic tests to identify possible defects for immediate resolution. A maintenance electrician must have excellent knowledge of the electrical industry, especially on recording maintenance reports and solutions.
Service electricians and maintenance electricians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Service Electrician | Maintenance Electrician | |
| Average salary | $57,731 | $62,112 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $83,000 | Between $46,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | Edison, NJ | Saint Paul, MN |
| Highest paying state | Vermont | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Tesla | PBF Energy |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a service electrician and a maintenance electrician in terms of educational background:
| Service Electrician | Maintenance Electrician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 34% | Associate Degree, 44% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering Technology | Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between service electricians' and maintenance electricians' demographics:
| Service Electrician | Maintenance Electrician | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.6% Female, 2.4% | Male, 96.8% Female, 3.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.8% Asian, 2.2% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 2.3% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |