Maintenance and Repair Workers, General

SOC: 49-9071 O*NET: 49-9071.00
Median Salary
$48,620
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.8%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
159.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3

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.

What does a Maintenance and Repair Workers, General do?

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.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$33,860
10th percentile
Early Career
$39,050
25th percentile
Median
$48,620
50th percentile
Experienced
$61,710
75th percentile
Top Earners
$76,110
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$33,860
25th
$39,050
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$48,620
Mean: $52,430
75th
$61,710
90th
$76,110
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $42,250 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $39,050 and $61,710
  • Salary spread is 46.6% around the median, showing high variation
  • Total national employment: 1,531,700 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:1,629,700

Top Industries

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing20.5%
Real Estate20%
Manufacturing13.5%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+3.8%
Annual Openings:159,800

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)1,629,700
Current
2034 (Projected)1,692,100
+3.8%
+62,400
Employment Change
+3.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: As fast as average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Maintenance and Repair Workers, General professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
139,310 jobs$44,9401.01x
California
132,250 jobs$56,0300.74x
New York
124,640 jobs$56,1801.31x
Florida
112,590 jobs$45,0001.15x
Illinois
71,100 jobs$54,2201.18x
Ohio
63,280 jobs$50,5201.15x
Pennsylvania
60,060 jobs$48,9501.01x
Georgia
48,440 jobs$46,7701.00x
North Carolina
46,290 jobs$47,2000.95x
Michigan
40,840 jobs$47,1700.94x
Arizona
39,150 jobs$47,2601.23x
Tennessee
35,930 jobs$46,8801.10x
New Jersey
34,810 jobs$51,2400.82x
Indiana
34,440 jobs$49,2901.09x
Virginia
33,610 jobs$49,0700.83x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

Key Growth Factors

  • Average growth expected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Equipment Maintenance
100%
#2
Repairing
94%
#3
Troubleshooting
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Active Learning
74%
#6
Quality Control Analysis
66%
#7
Monitoring
60%
#8
Operation and Control
54%
#9
Operations Monitoring
46%
#10
Complex Problem Solving
40%

Skills Overview

Equipment Maintenance
advanced5.0
100%
Repairing
advanced4.7
94%
Troubleshooting
intermediate4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Active Learning
intermediate3.7
74%
Quality Control Analysis
intermediate3.3
66%
Monitoring
intermediate3.0
60%
Operation and Control
basic2.7
54%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Equipment Maintenance

advanced
Importance100%
skills
5.0/5.0

Repairing

advanced
Importance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0

Troubleshooting

intermediate
Importance86%
skills
4.3/5.0

Critical Thinking

intermediate
Importance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0

Active Learning

intermediate
Importance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0

Quality Control Analysis

intermediate
Importance66%
skills
3.3/5.0

Monitoring

intermediate
Importance60%
skills
3.0/5.0

Operation and Control

basic
Importance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0

Operations Monitoring

basic
Importance46%
skills
2.3/5.0

Complex Problem Solving

advanced
Importance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Industrial Machinery Mechanics100%
5 shared skills
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators82%
5 shared skills
Wind Turbine Service Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners73%
5 shared skills
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics67%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Learn on the Job:
  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Monitoring
  • Operation and Control

Mid Career

Expected:
  • Equipment Maintenance
  • Troubleshooting
  • Repairing
  • Critical Thinking

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • Equipment Maintenance
  • Troubleshooting
  • Repairing
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Learning

Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Maintenance and Repair Workers, General

Technology Intensity
Very High

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires expert digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

Autodesk AutoCAD

🔥 Hot Tech

Yardi software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Outlook

🔥 Hot Tech

SAP software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Office software

🔥 Hot Tech

Apple macOS

🔥 Hot Tech

Linux

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Windows

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft PowerPoint

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Project

🔥 Hot Tech

Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Excel

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

Autodesk AutoCAD
Yardi software
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Apple macOS
Linux
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Project
Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
Microsoft Excel

📚 Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • Vendor-specific software certifications
  • Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • Coursera - University-level programs
  • Udemy - Practical skills training

💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT

💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
  • Can you meet moderate physical demands?
  • Do you enjoy some team team environments?
  • Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (13)Operations & Execution (5)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Planning & Development (1)
1

Assemble, install, or repair wiring, electrical or electronic components, pipe systems, plumbing, machinery, or equipment.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
General Responsibilities100% perform
2

Diagnose mechanical problems and determine how to correct them, checking blueprints, repair manuals, or parts catalogs, as necessary.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
General Responsibilities97% perform
3

Inspect, operate, or test machinery or equipment to diagnose machine malfunctions.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
Operations & Execution94% perform
4

Record type and cost of maintenance or repair work.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform
5

Clean or lubricate shafts, bearings, gears, or other parts of machinery.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
General Responsibilities88% perform
6

Plan and lay out repair work, using diagrams, drawings, blueprints, maintenance manuals, or schematic diagrams.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
Planning & Development85% perform
7

Adjust functional parts of devices or control instruments, using hand tools, levels, plumb bobs, or straightedges.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
General Responsibilities82% perform
8

Paint or repair roofs, windows, doors, floors, woodwork, plaster, drywall, or other parts of building structures.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
General Responsibilities79% perform
9

Operate cutting torches or welding equipment to cut or join metal parts.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
Operations & Execution76% perform
10

Align and balance new equipment after installation.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
General Responsibilities73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
  • 33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Maintenance and Repair Workers, General

💡 Career Planning Tips

  • Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Maintenance and Repair Workers, General professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support

RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Maintenance and Repair Workers, General

Integrity

Very Important

Integrity

Importance Level4.39

Dependability

Very Important

Dependability

Importance Level4.15

Attention to Detail

Very Important

Attention to Detail

Importance Level4.13

Self-Control

Very Important

Self-Control

Importance Level4.04

Independence

Important

Independence

Importance Level3.98

Innovation

Important

Innovation

Importance Level3.95

Complete Work Styles Profile

Integrity
4.4
Dependability
4.2
Attention to Detail
4.1
Self-Control
4.0
Independence
4.0
Innovation
4.0
Cooperation
3.9
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.9
Analytical Thinking
3.8
Stress Tolerance
3.8

💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

  • While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies

Preparation Level

Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Training:

Training of more than one year

💼 Experience Requirement

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • Associate degree programs
  • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
  • Vocational training with related experience
3

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience

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