Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
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.
Also called: Building Mechanic · Equipment Engineering Technician · Facilities Technician · Maintenance Engineer · Maintenance Journeyman · Maintenance Man
Median pay (national)
$48,620
$33,860–$76,110 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
1,531,700
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+3.8%
~159,800 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for maintenance and repair workers, general shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $76,110 versus $33,860 at the bottom 10% — 2.2x. The median of $48,620 leaves roughly 57% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +3.8% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 159,800 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 54 states with released data, District of Columbia pays the most for this role (median $60,600, +25% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $22,000 — a 175% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Critical Thinking, Active Learning, Monitoring as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Office software as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Learning Strategies
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Adjust functional parts of devices or control instruments, using hand tools, levels, plumb bobs, or straightedges.
- Design new equipment to aid in the repair or maintenance of machines, mechanical equipment, or building structures.
- Fabricate or repair counters, benches, partitions, or other wooden structures, such as sheds or outbuildings.
- Inspect, operate, or test machinery or equipment to diagnose machine malfunctions.
- Align and balance new equipment after installation.
- 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.
- Diagnose mechanical problems and determine how to correct them, checking blueprints, repair manuals, or parts catalogs, as necessary.
- Estimate costs to repair machinery, equipment, or building structures.
- Record type and cost of maintenance or repair work.
- Maintain or repair specialized equipment or machinery located in cafeterias, laundries, hospitals, stores, offices, or factories.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Office software
- Apple macOS
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Linux
- Microsoft Windows
- Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
- SAP software
- Yardi software
- Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
- Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
- Computerized time management systems
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- Data entry software
- Database software
- Digital direct control DDC energy management software
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Building and Construction
- Mathematics
- Production and Processing
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
- Engineering and Technology