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
How to Become a General Maintenance and Repair Worker Beginners often work under the supervision of more experienced workers. General maintenance and repair workers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. They usually learn their skills on the job or in apprenticeships or
Education
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required to enter the occupation. Many general maintenance and repair workers learn some basic skills in high school technical education classes, postsecondary trade or vocational schools, or community colleges. Training General maintenance and repair workers usually start by watching and learning from skilled maintenance workers. They begin by doing simple tasks, such as fixing leaky faucets and replacing lightbulbs. After gaining experience, general maintenance and repair workers move on to more difficult tasks, such as overhauling machinery or building walls. Some general maintenance and repair workers learn their skills by assisting other types of repair or construction workers, including machinery repairers, carpenters, or electricians. Others may complete an apprenticeship program, which usually combines paid on-the-job training with technical instruction. More information on apprenticeships can be found at apprenticeship.gov. Those with work experience or that have completed a vocational-technical program in a related trade may have a shorter period of on-the-job training.
Training
programs.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
For more complex tasks, workers may need to be licensed or certified in a particular specialty, such as electrical or plumbing work. Licensing requirements vary by state and locality. Information on state licensing board requirements is available from CareerOneStop. Advancement Some general maintenance and repair workers decide to train in one specific trade and become trades workers, such as electricians, heating and air-conditioning mechanics, or plumbers. Others might go on to become supervisors or managers or open their own repair business. To qualify for certain jobs, such as facilities manager or construction manager, a college degree may be required.
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
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. Employment Maintenance and repair workers will continue to be needed to improve and renovate residential and nonresidential properties, such as apartment buildings, commercial offices, and public buildings. This is especially true for older structures, which typically require more maintenance or repair. General Maintenance and Repair Workers Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Other installation, maintenance, and repair occupations 7% Maintenance and repair workers, general 4% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What General Maintenance and Repair Workers Do
General maintenance and repair workers fix and maintain machines, mechanical equipment, and buildings. They paint, repair flooring, and work on plumbing, electrical, and air-conditioning and heating systems.
Duties
General maintenance and repair workers typically do the following:
- Maintain and repair machines, mechanical equipment, and buildings
- Fix or replace faulty electrical switches, outlets, and circuit breakers
- Inspect and diagnose problems and figure out the best way to correct them
- Perform preventive maintenance and service
- Assemble and set up machinery or equipment
- Plan repair work using blueprints or diagrams
- Order parts, supplies, or equipment
- Meet with clients to estimate repairs and costs
- Keep detailed records of their work
General maintenance and repair workers are hired for maintenance and repair tasks that are not complex enough to need the specialized training of a licensed tradesperson, such as a plumber or electrician.
When a job is above their skill level or requires a greater level of expertise, general maintenance and repair workers may coordinate with other workers such as electricians; carpenters; or heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics or installers.
General maintenance and repair workers may fix or paint roofs, windows, doors, floors, woodwork, walls, and other parts of buildings. They also maintain and repair specialized equipment and machinery in a variety of locations, such as cafeterias, factories, and offices.
General maintenance and repair workers get supplies and parts from distributors or storerooms to fix problems. They use common hand and power tools, such as screwdrivers, saws, drills, wrenches, and hammers to fix, replace, or repair equipment and parts of buildings.
Work Environment
Work Environment
General maintenance and repair workers held about 1.6 million jobs in 2025. The largest employers of general maintenance and repair workers were as follows:
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 20% |
| Manufacturing | 13 |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 12 |
| Accommodation and food services | 8 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 8 |
General maintenance and repair workers often carry out many different tasks in a single day at any number of indoor or outdoor locations. They may work inside a single building, such as a hotel or hospital, or be responsible for the maintenance of many buildings, such as those in an apartment complex or on a college campus.
General maintenance and repair workers may have to stand for long periods or lift heavy objects. These workers may work in uncomfortably hot or cold environments, in uncomfortable or cramped positions, or on ladders. The work involves a lot of walking, climbing, and reaching.
Injuries and Illnesses
General maintenance and repair workers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. They must take precautions to avoid injury in many situations, such as when lifting heavy objects, working on ladders, or operating tools and machinery. Common injuries include sprains, cuts, and fractures.
Work Schedules
Most general maintenance and repair workers work full time. They may need to be on call outside normal business hours, such as during evenings and weekends, for emergency repairs.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Adaptability. General maintenance and repair workers need to be able to shift work and priorities to handle multiple repair requests. They also may need to be on call for emergency repairs. Customer-service skills. These workers interact with customers on a regular basis. They need to be friendly and able to address customers’ questions. Dexterity. Many repair and maintenance tasks, such as repairing small devices, connecting or attaching components, and using hand tools, require a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination. Mechanical skills. General maintenance and repair workers need a basic understanding of how tools, systems, and machines work to do routine maintenance and make needed repairs. Physical strength. General maintenance and repair workers must be able to lift or move heavy equipment, parts, or materials. Problem-solving skills. General maintenance and repair workers must diagnose and repair a wide variety of building and equipment issues. They may perform tests to figure out the cause of a problem before fixing it.
More Information
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.
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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.