Career comparison
Building Maintenance Technician vs. Electrician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Electricians earn more at the median ($63,190 vs. $49,590), while building maintenance technicians usually get to work faster (3–12 months on the job of training). Building maintenance technicians keep apartments, offices, schools and facilities running with everyday repairs. Electricians install, maintain and repair electrical wiring, panels and equipment safely to code.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Building Maintenance Technician | Electrician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $49,590 ($23.84/hr) | $63,190 ($30.38/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $35,350 – $77,180 | $42,640 – $108,510 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.2% (about as fast as average) | +9.2% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 148,700 | 72,700 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 3–12 months on the job | 4–5 years (paid apprenticeship) |
| Key credential | EPA Section 608 certification | Journeyman electrician license |
| Work setting | Technicians work in apartment communities, schools, hospitals, hotels, offices and plants. | Electricians work indoors and outdoors at construction sites, homes, businesses and factories. |
What each job does
Building Maintenance Technician
- Respond to work orders and repair requests
- Repair plumbing fixtures, leaks and drains
- Replace lights, switches and outlets within allowed scope
- Service HVAC equipment and change filters
- Patch drywall, paint and repair doors and locks
Electrician
- Read blueprints, schematics and electrical plans
- Install conduit, wiring, panels, breakers, receptacles and fixtures
- Inspect and test electrical systems with meters and testers
- Troubleshoot and repair faults in circuits, motors and controls
- Follow the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local codes
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, problem-solving, indoor work, and in-demand. They sit in different fields, mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing and skilled trades & construction, but share transferable skills such as problem solving and problem-solving.
Which should you choose?
Choose building maintenance technician if…
- I like fixing many kinds of things
- I enjoy a different task every hour
- I’m comfortable with plumbing, electrical and carpentry basics
Choose electrician if…
- I like working with my hands and solving technical problems
- I’m comfortable with math and following detailed diagrams
- I respect safety rules, and follow them every time
Still torn? Take the Building Maintenance Technician fit quiz and the Electrician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, building maintenance technician or electrician?
Electricians earn more at the median: $63,190 versus $49,590 for building maintenance technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Building Maintenance Technicians typically train faster (3–12 months on the job) than electricians (4–5 years (paid apprenticeship)).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects electricians to grow +9.2% from 2025–35, compared with +4.2% for building maintenance technicians.