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.

From people doing the work

Every day brings a new challenge, from fixing a leaky pipe to troubleshooting complex machinery. It's hands-on work that requires quick thinking and a broad skill set. You're constantly learning and adapting, ensuring everything runs smoothly. Satisfaction comes from seeing immediate results and keeping essential systems operational.

Drawn from HVAC-Talk, International Maintenance Institute (IMI), r/Maintenance

Attribution: Composite

Composite · Synthesised from HVAC-Talk, International Maintenance Institute (IMI), r/Maintenance

A day in the life of Maintenance and Repair Workers, General

People interaction
Extensive
Team vs solo
85% Team / 15% Solo
Client facing
Sometimes
Impact visibility
High
Travel
Frequent
Schedule flexibility
Flexible
Remote work
On-site Only
Typical work hours
40-50
Stress level
Moderate

Maintenance and Repair Workers, General salary, education and outlook at a glance

Median salary
$48,620
Entry-level
$34,000
Senior
$73,000
Growth by 2033
+3.8%
Demand
Stable
Freelance potential
Moderate
Salary growth potential
115%
Typical student debt
Moderate

Skills you need as Maintenance and Repair Workers, General

Hard skills

  • Mechanical
  • Equipment Maintenance
  • Operating system software

Soft skills

  • Coordination
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Critical Thinking

Technical complexity: Low

Tools of the trade

Core tools

  • Multimeter (Hardware): To measure electrical properties like voltage, current, and resistance for troubleshooting.
  • Wrenches and Socket Sets (Hardware): For tightening and loosening fasteners in mechanical assemblies and pipe fittings.
  • Welding Equipment (MIG/TIG) (Hardware): Used for joining metal parts in structural repairs and fabrication.

Commonly used

  • Diagnostic Software (HVAC) (Software): To analyze and troubleshoot heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
  • Scaffolding and Ladders (Hardware): Provides safe access to elevated work areas for maintenance and repair tasks.

Specialist tools

  • Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) (Software): Manages work orders, preventive maintenance schedules, and asset tracking.

How to become Maintenance and Repair Workers, General

Minimum education
Post-Secondary Certificate
Licensing
Varies by State
Years to mid-career
4-7
Years to senior
10-15
Career switching
Moderate

Where this career leads

How people arrive here

  • Apprentice Electrician: Individuals often start in specialized trades before broadening their skills to general maintenance.
  • Entry-Level Plumber: Specialized trade workers can transition to general maintenance by acquiring diverse repair skills.
  • Construction Laborer: Experience in construction provides foundational knowledge for building and structural repairs.

Where you can go from here

  • Industrial Machinery Mechanic: General maintenance workers can specialize in complex industrial equipment repair and diagnostics.
  • HVAC Technician: Focusing on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems offers a specialized career path.
  • Facilities Manager: With experience, general maintenance workers can move into supervisory and management roles.

Typical progression

  1. Millwrights
  2. Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
  3. Maintenance and Repair Workers, General Lead
  4. or Industrial Machinery Mechanics

Maintenance and Repair Workers, General job outlook and future demand

Automation probability
Moderate-High
AI disruption risk
Low
Demand trend
Stable

Job satisfaction as Maintenance and Repair Workers, General

Overall satisfaction
6.8/10
Meaning
6.5/10
Work-life balance
6/10
Prestige
5.5/10
Social perception
Moderate

Where practitioners gather

Professional organisations

  • International Maintenance Institute (IMI): A professional organization offering certifications and resources for maintenance professionals.
  • SkillsUSA: A partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce.

Podcasts and media

  • FacilitiesNet: A resource for facility management and maintenance news, articles, and best practices.

Reddit communities

  • r/Maintenance: A Reddit community for maintenance technicians to share experiences and ask questions.

Online communities

  • HVAC-Talk: An online forum for HVAC professionals to discuss technical issues and share knowledge.

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