What Maintenance and Repair Workers, General do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Maintenance and Repair Workers, General this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Assemble, install, or repair wiring, electrical or electronic components, pipe systems, plumbing, machinery, or equipment"; "Diagnose mechanical problems and determine how to correct them, checking blueprints, repair manuals, or parts catalogs, as necessary"; "Inspect, operate, or test machinery or equipment to diagnose machine malfunctions"; "Record type and cost of maintenance or repair work"; "Clean or lubricate shafts, bearings, gears, or other parts of machinery".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 1,621,800 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 1,690,500 in 2035, an increase of 68,700 jobs (+4.2%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 148,700 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 9.2% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $49,590, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Maintenance and Repair Workers, General earn the most
Across the 31 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $45,813 in Florida to $58,421 in Washington, a gap of $12,609 (1.28 times). 22 of those 31 states average above the BLS national median of $49,590 and 9 average at or below it.
New York employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 144,910, which is 8.3% of the 1,747,710 counted across them. California follows with 139,990.
Highest-paying states
Washington ($58,421), New Hampshire ($58,412) and Minnesota ($57,791) lead the ranking, while Florida ($45,813) and Texas ($46,215) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General: pay against the cost of living
We compare 52 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Jefferson County, WV (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV) at $26,506. The smallest margin is $6,422 in Kings County, NY.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 52 of the 52 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 27.3% and 69.2% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (49-9000) include Industrial Machinery Mechanics and Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers.
Frequently asked questions about Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
What is the national median wage for Maintenance and Repair Workers, General?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $49,590. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $45,813 to $58,421.
Which state pays Maintenance and Repair Workers, General the most?
Washington, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $58,421. New Hampshire is next at $58,412.
What is the job outlook for Maintenance and Repair Workers, General?
BLS projects employment to grow by 4.2% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 148,700 openings a year.
What education do Maintenance and Repair Workers, General need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Maintenance and Repair Workers, General afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Jefferson County, WV leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $26,506 on a median wage of $57,240.