Customize Your Journey
For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources

Maintenance and Repair Workers, General

Median Salary
46,700
Job Outlook
+5%
In-Demand

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

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.

What sectors do they work in?

Private for profit

74%

State and local government

11%

Private not for profit

7%

Self-employed

5%

Federal Government

2%

What is the job outlook?

Employment of general maintenance and repair workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 157,200 openings for general maintenance and repair workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$21,350

10%

$46,700

Median

$56,520

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Post-secondary certificate

    62%

  • High school

    24%

  • Some college

    6%

  • Associate's degree

    2%

  • Master's degree

    1%

  • Less than high school

    1%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Building/Property Maintenance

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Technology Design and Control

    High

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    High

  • Verbal Skills

    Low

  • Leadership

    Low

  • Math and Science Skills

    Mid

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    Mid

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Building and Construction
  • Mechanical
  • English Language
  • Production and Processing
  • Customer and Personal Service

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    High

  • Responsibility

    High

  • Physical Activity

    High

  • Time Pressure

    Mid

  • Repetitiveness

    Mid

  • Decision Making

    Mid

  • Level Of Competition

    Low

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

Conventional

You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

Related Occupations

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.