General maintenance and repair workers are employed in almost
Many workers learn their skills informally on the job; others
learn by working as helpers to other repairers or to construction
workers such as carpenters, electricians, or machinery repairers.
Job opportunities should be favorable, with many openings
occurring as a result of turnover in this large occupation.
Nature of the Work
Most craft workers specialize in one kind of work, such as plumbing
or carpentry. General maintenance and repair workers, however,
have skills in many different crafts. They repair and maintain
machines, mechanical equipment, and buildings and work on plumbing,
electrical, and air-conditioning and heating systems. They build
partitions, make plaster or drywall repairs, and fix or paint
roofs, windows, doors, floors, woodwork, and other parts of building
structures. They also maintain and repair specialized equipment
and machinery found in cafeterias, laundries, hospitals, stores,
offices, and factories. Typical duties include troubleshooting
and fixing faulty electrical switches, repairing air-conditioning
motors, and unclogging drains. New buildings sometimes have computer-controlled
systems that allow maintenance workers to make adjustments in
building settings and monitor for problems from a central location.
For example, they can remotely control light sensors that turn
off lights automatically after a set amount of time or identify
a broken ventilation fan that needs to be replaced.
General maintenance and repair workers inspect and diagnose problems
and determine the best way to correct them, frequently checking
blueprints, repair manuals, and parts catalogs. They obtain supplies
and repair parts from distributors or storerooms. Using common
hand and power tools such as screwdrivers, saws, drills, wrenches,
and hammers, as well as specialized equipment and electronic testing
devices, these workers replace or fix worn or broken parts, where
necessary, or make adjustments to correct malfunctioning equipment
General maintenance and repair workers also perform routine preventive
maintenance and ensure that machines continue to run smoothly,
building systems operate efficiently, and the physical condition
of buildings does not deteriorate. Following a checklist, they
may inspect drives, motors, and belts, check fluid levels, replace
filters, and perform other maintenance actions. Maintenance and
repair workers keep records of their work.
Employees in small establishments, where they are often the only
maintenance worker, make all repairs, except for very large or
difficult jobs. In larger establishments, their duties may be
limited to the general maintenance of everything in a workshop
or a particular area.
General maintenance and repair workers often carry out several
different tasks in a single day, at any number of locations. They
may work inside of a single building or in several different buildings.
They may have to stand for long periods, lift heavy objects, and
work in uncomfortably hot or cold environments, in awkward and
cramped positions, or on ladders. They are subject to electrical
shock, burns, falls, cuts, and bruises. Most general maintenance
workers work a 40-hour week. Some work evening, night, or weekend
shifts or are on call for emergency repairs.
Those employed in small establishments often operate with only
limited supervision. Those working in larger establishments frequently
are under the direct supervision of an experienced worker.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
Many general maintenance and repair workers learn their skills
informally on the job. They start as helpers, watching and learning
from skilled maintenance workers. Helpers begin by doing simple
jobs, such as fixing leaky faucets and replacing lightbulbs, and
progress to more difficult tasks, such as overhauling machinery
or building walls. Some learn their skills by working as helpers
to other repair or construction workers, including carpenters,
electricians, or machinery repairers.
Necessary skills also can be learned in high school shop classes
and postsecondary trade or vocational schools. It generally takes
from 1 to 4 years of on-the-job training or school, or a combination
of both, to become fully qualified, depending on the skill level
required. Because a growing number of new buildings rely on computers
to control various of their systems, general maintenance and repair
workers may need basic computer skills, such as how to log onto
a central computer system and navigate through a series of menus.
Usually, companies that install computer-controlled equipment
provide on-site training for general maintenance and repair workers.
Graduation from high school is preferred for entry into this
occupation. High school courses in mechanical drawing, electricity,
woodworking, blueprint reading, science, mathematics, and computers
are useful. Mechanical aptitude, the ability to use shop mathematics,
and manual dexterity are important. Good health is necessary because
the job involves much walking, standing, reaching, and heavy lifting.
Difficult jobs require problem-solving ability, and many positions
require the ability to work without direct supervision.
Many general maintenance and repair workers in large organizations
advance to maintenance supervisor or become a craftworker such
as an electrician, a heating and air-conditioning mechanic, or
a plumber. Within small organizations, promotion opportunities
General maintenance and repair workers held 1.3 million jobs
in 2004. They were employed in almost every industry. Around 1
in 5 worked in manufacturing industries, almost evenly distributed
through all sectors, while about 1 in 6 worked for different government
bodies. Others worked for wholesale and retail firms and for real
estate firms that operate office and apartment buildings.
Job opportunities should be favorable, especially for those with
experience in maintenance or related fields. General maintenance
and repair is a large occupation with significant turnover. Additionally,
many job openings are expected to result from the retirement of
many experienced maintenance workers over the next decade.
Employment of general maintenance and repair workers is expected
to grow about as fast as average for all occupations through 2014.
Employment is related to the number of buildings—for example,
office and apartment buildings, stores, schools, hospitals, hotels,
and factories—and the amount of equipment needing maintenance
and repair. However, as machinery becomes more advanced and requires
less maintenance, the need for general maintenance and repair
workers diminishes. Also, as more buildings are controlled by
computers, buildings can be monitored more efficiently.
Median hourly earnings of general maintenance and repair workers
were $14.76 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between
$11.11 and $19.17. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $8.70,
and the highest 10 percent earned more than $23.40. Median hourly
earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of general
maintenance and repair workers in May 2004 are shown in the following
Elementary and secondary schools
Activities related to real estate
Lessors of real estate
Some general maintenance and repair workers are members of unions,
including the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal
Employees and the United Auto Workers.
Some duties of general maintenance and repair workers are similar
to those of carpenters; pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and
steamfitters; electricians; and heating, air-conditioning, and
refrigeration mechanics. Other duties are similar to those of
coin, vending, and amusement machine servicers and repairers;
electrical and electronics installers and repairers; electronic
home entertainment equipment installers and repairers; and radio
and telecommunications equipment installers and repairers.
Sources of Additional Information
Information about job opportunities may be obtained from local
employers and local offices of the State Employment Service.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.
Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook,