Maintenance and Repair Worker, General

Impact: Operational continuity,Safety,Asset preservation

Maintain and repair machines, mechanical equipment, and buildings. Perform a variety of skilled and semi-skilled duties, including carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and painting tasks.

What the day looks like

People interaction
Moderate
Team vs solo
60% Solo / 40% Team
Client facing
Sometimes
Impact visibility
Moderate
Travel
Minimal local travel
Schedule flexibility
Structured
Remote work
On-site Only
Typical work hours
40 hours/week
Stress level
Moderate

At a glance

Median salary
$45,000
Entry-level
$30,000 - $40,000
Senior
$55,000 - $70,000
Growth by 2033
5% (average)
Demand
Stable
Freelance potential
High
Salary growth potential
Moderate to 50-75% growth from entry to senior
Typical student debt
Minimal

Skills you'll use

Hard skills

  • Troubleshooting
  • Equipment maintenance
  • Basic electrical
  • Plumbing
  • Carpentry
  • HVAC systems

Soft skills

  • Problem-solving
  • Attention to detail
  • 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. Maintenance Worker
      2. Lead Maintenance Worker
      3. Facilities Manager

      Future outlook

      Automation probability
      25% to some tasks can be automated, but hands-on repair requires human intervention
      AI disruption risk
      Very Low
      Demand trend
      Stable

      How people feel about it

      Overall satisfaction
      3.4/10
      Meaning
      3.2/10
      Work-life balance
      3.5/10
      Prestige
      4.5/10
      Social perception
      Moderate

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