Maintenance Supervisor

Impact: Operational efficiency, Safety compliance, Asset longevity

Directs and organizes tasks related to maintenance of buildings and equipment, leading a team to meet targets, performing regular inspections, and ensuring compliance with safety standards.

In their words

As a Maintenance Supervisor, every day brings new challenges, from coordinating urgent repairs to implementing preventive maintenance schedules. It's a balancing act of technical expertise, team leadership, and quick problem-solving to keep everything running smoothly and safely. The satisfaction comes from seeing a well-maintained facility and a productive team.

Composite

What the day looks like

People interaction
Extensive
Team vs solo
70% Team / 30% Solo
Client facing
Sometimes
Impact visibility
High
Travel
Minimal
Schedule flexibility
Structured
Remote work
On-site Only
Typical work hours
40-50 hours/week
Stress level
High

At a glance

Median salary
$88,868
Entry-level
$50,000 - $65,000
Senior
$120,000+
Growth by 2033
7% (average)
Demand
Growing
Freelance potential
Low
Salary growth potential
Moderate 60-80% growth from entry to senior
Typical student debt
$10,000 - $25,000

Skills you'll use

Hard skills

  • Preventive Maintenance
  • Equipment Troubleshooting
  • Work Order Management
  • Safety Regulations
  • Budget Management
  • CMMS Software
  • HVAC Systems
  • Electrical Systems
  • Plumbing Systems

Soft skills

  • Leadership
  • Problem-solving
  • Communication
  • Time Management
  • Organization
  • Attention to Detail

Technical complexity: High

Tools you'll work with

Core tools

  • CMMS Software (software): Manage work orders, preventive maintenance, and asset tracking
  • Diagnostic Tools (hardware): Troubleshoot equipment malfunctions
  • Safety Equipment (hardware): Ensure worker safety and compliance

Common tools

  • Microsoft Office Suite (software): Reporting, scheduling, and communication
  • Blueprint/Schematic Readers (software): Interpret technical drawings for repairs and installations
  • Hand and Power Tools (hardware): Perform various maintenance and repair tasks

How to get there

Minimum education
Associate's Degree or Equivalent Experience
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

  • Maintenance Technician: Transitioning from hands-on repair to supervisory duties.
  • HVAC Technician: Moving from a specialized trade to a broader maintenance management role.
  • Electrician: Leveraging electrical expertise into a supervisory position over maintenance teams.

Where you can go from here

  • Facilities Manager: Advancing to oversee all aspects of facility operations and strategic planning.
  • Operations Manager: Expanding responsibilities to include broader operational oversight beyond just maintenance.
  • Reliability Engineer: Focusing on optimizing equipment reliability and maintenance strategies.

Typical progression

  1. Maintenance Technician > Maintenance Supervisor > Maintenance Manager > Facilities Manager

Future outlook

Automation probability
35% moderate risk
AI disruption risk
Low
Demand trend
Growing

How people feel about it

Overall satisfaction
7/10
Meaning
6.5/10
Work-life balance
6/10
Prestige
6.5/10
Social perception
Moderate

Find your community

Professional organisations

Reddit communities

  • r/Maintenance: Online community for maintenance professionals to share insights and ask questions.

Online communities

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