Maintenance and Repair Workers, General

SOC code 49-9071 · O*NET-SOC 49-9071.00 · Medium preparation needed · Skilled trades

Bright Outlook — O*NET expects numerous job openings for this occupation

General maintenance workers are the people who keep buildings functioning — plumbing fixes, door hardware, painting, basic electrical, heating systems. The role rewards breadth, and it is a common way station on the path to a licensed trade or to facilities management.

Maintenance and Repair Workers, General pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$49,590

a year

Hourly

$23.84

per hour

10th$35,350Median$49,59090th$77,180

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$53,780

$25.86 per hour

Middle 50%

$40,840 – $62,620

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$35,350 – $77,180

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

1,529,700

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $35,350; $17.00/hr
25th percentile: $40,840; $19.64/hr
Median percentile: $49,590; $23.84/hr
75th percentile: $62,620; $30.10/hr
90th percentile: $77,180; $37.11/hr

Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34

+4%

Growing faster than average

1,629,700

jobs in 2024

1,692,100

projected for 2034

About 62,400 more jobs

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.

What do maintenance and repair workers, general do?

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.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Perform routine maintenance, such as inspecting drives, motors, or belts, checking fluid levels, replacing filters, or doing other preventive maintenance actions.
Inspect, operate, or test machinery or equipment to diagnose machine malfunctions.
Adjust functional parts of devices or control instruments, using hand tools, levels, plumb bobs, or straightedges.
Repair machines, equipment, or structures, using tools such as hammers, hoists, saws, drills, wrenches, or equipment such as precision measuring instruments or electrical or electronic testing devices.
Order parts, supplies, or equipment from catalogs or suppliers.
Perform routine maintenance on boilers, such as replacing burners or hoses, installing replacement parts, or reinforcing structural weaknesses to ensure optimal boiler efficiency.
Diagnose mechanical problems and determine how to correct them, checking blueprints, repair manuals, or parts catalogs, as necessary.
Design new equipment to aid in the repair or maintenance of machines, mechanical equipment, or building structures.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold post-secondary certificate — 63% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed

Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

See all zone 3 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

Post-Secondary Certificate63%
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)25%
Some College Courses7%
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree3%

Common questions

How much does a maintenance and repair workers, general earn?

The national median is $49,590 a year. The full range runs from $35,350 at the 10th percentile to $77,180 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a maintenance and repair workers, general without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Is maintenance and repair workers, general in demand?

Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 4% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Critical Thinking3.3/5
Active Learning3.1/5
Monitoring3.1/5

Knowledge areas

Mechanical4.0/5
English Language3.7/5
Building and Construction3.7/5
Mathematics3.4/5
Production and Processing3.1/5
Customer and Personal Service2.9/5
Public Safety and Security2.6/5
Engineering and Technology2.5/5

Transferable strengths: Equipment Maintenance, Repairing, Troubleshooting, Complex Problem Solving, Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control.