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The differences between stationary engineers and maintenance engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a stationary engineer, becoming a maintenance engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a stationary engineer has an average salary of $69,163, which is higher than the $47,133 average annual salary of a maintenance engineer.
The top three skills for a stationary engineer include HVAC, preventive maintenance and plumbing. The most important skills for a maintenance engineer are plumbing, HVAC, and guest rooms.
| Stationary Engineer | Maintenance Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $69,163 | $47,133 |
| Hourly rate | $33.25 | $22.66 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 5,010 | 97,957 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 35% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Average age | 50 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
Stationary Engineers are employees who are trained to operate machines and equipment. They mainly operate mechanical equipment, boilers, steam engines, and other stationary engines. They are also trained to conduct maintenance checks and basic repairs on such equipment. Stationary Engineers should be able to read gauges on the machines and assess the fuel levels. They are expected to monitor the machines and equipment and to track the operations. They are also expected to record and document the performance of the equipment. Sationary Engineers should know how to test the quality of the machines' outputs. This would help them manage the equipment.
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.
Stationary engineers and maintenance engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Stationary Engineer | Maintenance Engineer | |
| Average salary | $69,163 | $47,133 |
| Salary range | Between $44,000 And $107,000 | Between $29,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Rosa, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | New York | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital | Halliburton |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | - |
There are a few differences between a stationary engineer and a maintenance engineer in terms of educational background:
| Stationary Engineer | Maintenance Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 35% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Most common major | Heating And Air Conditioning | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between stationary engineers' and maintenance engineers' demographics:
| Stationary Engineer | Maintenance Engineer | |
| Average age | 50 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.0% Female, 3.0% | Male, 94.6% Female, 5.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 7.6% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | 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 | 4% | 2% |