Career comparison
Building Maintenance Technician vs. Plumber
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Plumbers earn more at the median ($63,800 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. Plumbers install and repair water, drain, gas and heating piping systems to code.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Building Maintenance Technician | Plumber | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $49,590 ($23.84/hr) | $63,800 ($30.67/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $35,350 – $77,180 | $44,150 – $108,420 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.2% (about as fast as average) | +6.8% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 148,700 | 42,000 |
| 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 plumber license |
| Work setting | Technicians work in apartment communities, schools, hospitals, hotels, offices and plants. | Plumbers work in homes, businesses, factories and construction sites. |
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
Plumber
- Read blueprints and plan pipe layouts
- Install water supply, drain, waste and vent piping
- Set and connect fixtures, water heaters and appliances
- Locate and repair leaks, clogs and broken pipes
- Test systems for pressure and leaks
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, problem-solving, indoor work, and working independently. 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 plumber if…
- I like fixing things and figuring out what’s wrong
- Dirty or messy work doesn’t bother me
- I’m comfortable working in tight spaces
Still torn? Take the Building Maintenance Technician fit quiz and the Plumber fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, building maintenance technician or plumber?
Plumbers earn more at the median: $63,800 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 plumbers (4–5 years (paid apprenticeship)).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects plumbers to grow +6.8% from 2025–35, compared with +4.2% for building maintenance technicians.