General Handyman

Impact: Property maintenance and improvement

Performs a variety of repair and maintenance tasks for residential or commercial properties, including plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and painting.

What the day looks like

People interaction
Moderate
Team vs solo
20% Team / 80% Solo
Client facing
Frequent
Impact visibility
High
Travel
Daily local travel
Schedule flexibility
Flexible
Remote work
On-site Only
Typical work hours
40-50 hours/week
Stress level
Moderate

At a glance

Median salary
$45,000
Entry-level
$30,000 - $40,000
Senior
$60,000+
Growth by 2033
6% (average)
Demand
Stable
Freelance potential
High
Salary growth potential
Moderate to 50-70% growth from entry to senior
Typical student debt
Minimal

Skills you'll use

Hard skills

  • Basic Plumbing
  • Basic Electrical
  • Carpentry
  • Painting
  • Tool Proficiency
  • Minor Appliance Repair

Soft skills

  • Problem-solving
  • Customer Service
  • Time Management
  • Adaptability
  • Communication

Technical complexity: Moderate

How to get there

Minimum education
High School Diploma
Licensing
Varies by State
Years to mid-career
3-5 years
Years to senior
7-10 years
Career switching
Moderate

Where this career leads

How people arrive here

    Where you can go from here

      Typical progression

      1. Apprentice
      2. Journeyman
      3. Master Handyman / Business Owner

      Future outlook

      Automation probability
      40% to some tasks can be automated, but judgment and varied tasks limit full automation
      AI disruption risk
      Low
      Demand trend
      Stable

      How people feel about it

      Overall satisfaction
      3.5/10
      Meaning
      3.2/10
      Work-life balance
      3.8/10
      Prestige
      4.5/10
      Social perception
      Moderate

      Similar careers