Maintenance and Repair Workers, General 
General Information
Description
Perform work involving the skills of two or more maintenance or craft occupations to keep machines, mechanical equipment, or the structure of a building in repair. Duties may involve pipe fitting; HVAC maintenance; insulating; welding; machining; carpentry; repairing electrical or mechanical equipment; installing, aligning, and balancing new equipment; and repairing buildings, floors, or stairs.
Business Breakdown
People in this career work in these sectors.
- Private, for profit74.08%
- State and local government12.03%
- Private, not for profit6.48%
- Self-employed4.57%
- Federal government2.52%
Workplace at a Glance
What you can expect to experience while on the job
- Responsibility
- Exposure to job hazards
- Physical activity
- Decision making
- Repetitiveness
- Level of competition
- Time pressure
Industry areas
- Manufacturing
Job Outlook
Projected Job Growth (2022 - 2032)
+4%
Similar Careers
Related Military Careers
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Weapon Repair Officers
Seamen
Ship Electricians
Ship Engineers
Survival Equipment Specialists
Vehicle Drivers
Water and Sewage Treatment Plant Operators
Automotive and Heavy Equipment Mechanics
Related MIlitary Careers X
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Weapon Repair Officers
- Weapon repair and maintenance officers manage the activities and personnel engaged in the maintenance and repair of the Military’s weapons, from small arms to nuclear missiles, and their associated equipment. They oversee inspections, inventory, check-out procedures, and shop operations. These officers must have expert knowledge in the design, operation, and safe shipment and employment of military weapons. Navigate to Military Career Page
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Seamen
- Seamen are responsible for the smooth operation of the majority of occurrences above deck. They are capable of performing and supervising almost any task in connection with deck maintenance, small boat operations, and navigation. They have a working knowledge of all programs performed in, or related to, the marine environment. They must establish and maintain knowledge of ropes and cables, including different uses, stresses, strains, and proper stowing. They facilitate upkeep of ships' external structures, riggings, deck equipment, and lifeboats. Navigate to Military Career Page
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Ship Electricians
- Ship electricians operate and repair electrical systems on ships. They keep electrical power plants, wiring, and machinery in working order; maintain and repair shipboard elevator systems; and interpret electrical sketches, diagrams, and blueprints. Navigate to Military Career Page
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Ship Engineers
- Ship engineers maintain machinery and equipment for various parts of the fleet and are responsible for the overall operation, maintenance, and repair of engines, deck machinery, heating, power generation, and electrical wiring aboard a ship. They also respond to emergency situations such as leaks and fires, and conduct safety operations. Navigate to Military Career Page
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Survival Equipment Specialists
- Survival equipment specialists in the Military inspect, fit, maintain, and repair survival equipment, such as parachutes, aircraft life support equipment, search and rescue equipment, and air-sea rescue equipment, along with survival kits, medical kits, flight clothing, protective wear, night vision equipment, aircrew oxygen systems, liquid oxygen converters, anti-exposure suits, and G-suits. Navigate to Military Career Page
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Vehicle Drivers
- Vehicle drivers in the Military operate a multitude of vehicles in direct support of mission requirements. They operate all-wheeled vehicles and equipment over varied terrain to transport personnel and cargo. Military vehicle drivers operate and perform preventive maintenance on light and heavy-duty vehicles such as buses, trucks and semi-trailer combinations, forklifts, and wrecker/recovery vehicles. Navigate to Military Career Page
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Water and Sewage Treatment Plant Operators
- Military bases operate their own water treatment plants, which provide drinking water and safely dispose of sewage when public facilities cannot be used. Water and sewage treatment plant operators control processes and equipment that remove pollutants from the water so that it is safe to drink and can be returned safely to natural areas or be reused. Water and sewage treatment plant operators run the equipment, control the processes, and monitor the plants that treat the water. Navigate to Military Career Page
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Automotive and Heavy Equipment Mechanics
- After ensuring adequate manpower, supplies, and workspace are available, automotive and heavy equipment mechanics maintain and repair various vehicles and systems. They determine the overall mechanical condition of vehicles and heavy equipment, diagnose malfunctions, and initiate restorative actions related to equipment in their area of responsibility. Navigate to Military Career Page
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Heavy Equipment Mechanics
- Heavy equipment mechanics specialize in the maintenance and repair of heavy equipment, such as tanks and other combat vehicles. They maintain and repair construction equipment, including equipment used for earthmoving, grading and compaction, lifting and loading, quarrying and rock crushing, asphalt/concrete mixing and surfacing, and water pumping, as well as special purpose equipment, including power generation equipment and air conditioning/refrigeration systems. They also supervise and perform diagnostic troubleshooting to determine maintenance repair criteria. Navigate to Military Career Page
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Construction Equipment Operators
- Construction equipment operators control or manage the use of bulldozers, cranes, graders, drilling rigs, and other heavy equipment in military construction. They manage daily activities devoted to the construction and maintenance of runways, aircraft parking aprons, roads, and wooden, metal, and concrete buildings. They direct and coordinate the efforts of crews in the use of earth moving, quarrying, well digging, mixing, asphalt batching, and paving equipment. They also oversee demolition efforts and ensure adherence to environmental regulations. Navigate to Military Career Page
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Construction Specialists
- Construction specialists perform and manage the construction of buildings, bridges, foundations, utility systems, dams, and bunkers. They manage, construct, repair, and modify structural systems and wooden, masonry, metal, and concrete buildings. They also oversee bridge building, rafting, and river crossing operations to coordinate the building of structures during combat. Construction specialists must have a working knowledge of carpentry and masonry. Navigate to Military Career Page
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Electrical Instrument and Equipment Repairers
- Electrical instrument and equipment repairers install, maintain, and repair instruments and equipment, including communications equipment, radar and sonar systems, tactical data systems, and computers. They use a variety of approaches to troubleshoot and replace faulty components, subassemblies, and assemblies to restore instruments and equipment to optimum operating condition. Navigate to Military Career Page
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Fleet Maintenance Managers
- Fleet maintenance managers supervise and coordinate the repair and maintenance of the Military’s airplanes, ships, trucks, and other vehicles. They establish maintenance schedules, develop work procedures, and direct the operation of maintenance crews. They manage machine and maintenance shops. From repairing equipment damaged in battle to providing preventive maintenance, these managers are critical for keeping the Military’s fleet strong. Navigate to Military Career Page
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Fuel Supply Specialists
- Fuel supply specialists receive, store, inventory, issue, and ship various fuel products, including petroleum, alternate fuel, and cryogenic products. They manage, maintain, and operate fuel support equipment used for base and tactical operations. They are responsible for ensuring compliance with all safety and environmental regulations. They perform analyses to ensure the quality of fuels and lubricants. Navigate to Military Career Page
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Heating and Cooling Mechanics
- Heating and cooling mechanics are responsible for providing the Military with technical and mechanical services regarding heating, cooling, and related systems. They install, operate, and perform inspections, testing, troubleshooting, and repairs on malfunctioning systems. They perform maintenance and quality control functions, ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations. They supervise and provide guidance to subordinates and they provide recommendations regarding installation and repair of HVAC/R and related systems. Navigate to Military Career Page
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Marine Equipment Mechanics
- The Military operates many types of watercraft from small motor launches to large ships, many of which are powered by gasoline or diesel engines. These vessels also contain mechanical and electrical systems that are critical to their overall operation. It is the job of marine equipment mechanics to maintain and operate these systems. Navigate to Military Career Page
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Plumbers and Pipefitters
- Plumbers and pipefitters assemble, install, maintain, and repair many different types of pipe systems. Navigate to Military Career Page
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Power Plant Electricians
- Power plant electricians in the Military maintain and repair electricity-generating equipment in mobile and stationary power plants. They may work in power generation plants on land or aboard ships and submarines. They maintain different types of electrical power-generating equipment, such as transmission lines and receiving structures, and hydraulic-electric systems that support reactor plant operation. They also diagnose and repair circuit boards that validate accurate electricity readings. Navigate to Military Career Page
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Power Plant Mechanics
- Power plant mechanics install, maintain, and repair mechanical equipment in power-generating stations. They maintain various types of power-generating equipment on land, ships, and submarines. They also support the mobile utility equipment that the Military provides as portable, temporary sources of electricity. Navigate to Military Career Page
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Salary
Salary Information
Median Salary This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.
$44,980
State-by-state Salary
Gray states indicate no data available
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Education & Interests
Most Common Education Levels
People in this career achieve this level of education.
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Post-secondary certificate 62%
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High school 24%
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Some college 6%
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Associate's degree 2%
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Master's degree 1%
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Less than high school 1%
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Doctoral degree 0%
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Bachelor's degree 0%
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Post baccalaureate 0%
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Post-doctoral training 0%
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Post-master's certificate 0%
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First professional degree 0%
PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS
You may find this career fulfilling if you consider yourself to be:
- Realistic — You have an interest in physically working with equipment, materials or structures.
- Conventional — You have an interest in following procedures and regulations to organize information or data.
- Investigative — You have an interest in studying and researching objects, organisms, and other things.
Not sure what characteristics best describe you? Take the RIASEC Test.
Skills at a Glance
Skills helpful in this career
- Verbal skills
- Critical thinking & problem solving
- Equipment operation & maintenance
- Math & science skills
- Technology design & control
- Leadership
Knowledge
- Building and Construction
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Production and Processing
- Customer and Personal Service
Gain insights into your knowledge by using the ASVAB Career Exploration Program
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