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The differences between utility workers and building 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 utility worker and a building engineer. Additionally, a building engineer has an average salary of $76,446, which is higher than the $30,429 average annual salary of a utility worker.
The top three skills for a utility worker include customer service, safety procedures and cleanliness. The most important skills for a building engineer are HVAC, ladders, and plumbing.
| Utility Worker | Building Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $30,429 | $76,446 |
| Hourly rate | $14.63 | $36.75 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 31,038 | 13,440 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A utility worker is an entry-level position who is responsible for the cleanliness and maintenance of company premises and equipment. Utility workers take verbal and written instructions from managers and maintenance officers about the assigned work areas inside and outside of the property. Some employers may require their utility workers to have a commercial driver's license because they will be operating maintenance equipment and vehicles. Although a bachelor's degree is not required, utility workers must be in good physical condition and also be able to read written work orders.
The job of building engineers is to provide advice on design, installation, and maintenance of energy-efficient and cost-effective systems for all building services, including lighting, water, and air conditioning. These professionals are responsible for the distribution of water supply and electricity and resolving tenants' maintenance problems such as plumbing and electrical systems. Additional duties of the building engineers include conducting tests on systems, ensuring compliance with health and safety requirements, and liaising with construction professionals like surveyors and electricians.
Utility workers and building engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Utility Worker | Building Engineer | |
| Average salary | $30,429 | $76,446 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $38,000 | Between $49,000 And $116,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | California |
| Best paying company | UGI | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between a utility worker and a building engineer in terms of educational background:
| Utility Worker | Building Engineer | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Most common major | Business | Heating And Air Conditioning |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between utility workers' and building engineers' demographics:
| Utility Worker | Building Engineer | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.1% Female, 16.9% | Male, 94.6% Female, 5.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 4.7% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% | Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 4.5% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |