Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Understanding, using, maintaining, or repairing machines, tools, equipment, and mechanical systems.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
General maintenance and repair workers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. They usually learn their skills on the job while working alongside more experienced workers. Some may enter the occupation through apprenticeships or training programs. PayThe median annual wage for general maintenance and repair workers was $49,590 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of general maintenance and repair workers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 148,700 openings for general maintenance and repair workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for general maintenance and repair workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of general maintenance and repair workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about general maintenance and repair workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for general maintenance and repair workers was $49,590 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of general maintenance and repair workers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 148,700 openings for general maintenance and repair workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for general maintenance and repair workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of general maintenance and repair workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about general maintenance and repair workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of general maintenance and repair workers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 148,700 openings for general maintenance and repair workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for general maintenance and repair workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of general maintenance and repair workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about general maintenance and repair workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
General maintenance and repair workers fix and maintain machines, mechanical equipment, and buildings.
Work Environment
General maintenance and repair workers carry out tasks in varied indoor or outdoor locations. They might work inside a single building, such as a hotel, or be responsible for the maintenance of many buildings, such as those in an apartment complex. Most work full time, and they may be on call for emergency repairs.
How to Become a General Maintenance and Repair Worker
General maintenance and repair workers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. They usually learn their skills on the job while working alongside more experienced workers. Some may enter the occupation through apprenticeships or training programs.
Pay
The median annual wage for general maintenance and repair workers was $49,590 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of general maintenance and repair workers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 148,700 openings for general maintenance and repair workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for general maintenance and repair workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of general maintenance and repair workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about general maintenance and repair workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
General maintenance and repair workers carry out tasks in varied indoor or outdoor locations. They might work inside a single building, such as a hotel, or be responsible for the maintenance of many buildings, such as those in an apartment complex. Most work full time, and they may be on call for emergency repairs.
How to Become a General Maintenance and Repair Worker
General maintenance and repair workers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. They usually learn their skills on the job while working alongside more experienced workers. Some may enter the occupation through apprenticeships or training programs.
Pay
The median annual wage for general maintenance and repair workers was $49,590 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of general maintenance and repair workers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 148,700 openings for general maintenance and repair workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for general maintenance and repair workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of general maintenance and repair workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about general maintenance and repair workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for general maintenance and repair workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of general maintenance and repair workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about general maintenance and repair workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about general maintenance and repair workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.