A maintenance and repair worker keeps equipment, buildings, and systems running smoothly across homes, businesses, and job sites. It is hands-on, in demand, and you can start without a four-year degree. Here is what the work involves, what it takes, and how to get in.
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Maintenance and repair workers inspect equipment, structures, and materials to spot problems before they become costly. You diagnose what is broken, make repairs, and perform routine maintenance to keep mechanical systems working. The work involves making decisions about how to fix issues, communicating with supervisors and team members about what you find, and operating tools and equipment safely. You gather information from manuals and colleagues, document your work, and sometimes operate vehicles or mechanized equipment to reach job sites or move materials.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General earn a median of $49,590 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is steady. Employment is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as average for all occupations, with about 159,800 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most maintenance and repair workers earn a certificate through a vocational or technical program. These programs teach mechanical knowledge, building systems, mathematics, and hands-on repair skills. You will learn to read blueprints, troubleshoot problems, and use tools safely. Many programs include on-the-job training or apprenticeships where you work alongside experienced technicians. Some positions let you start with a high school diploma and learn through entry-level roles, though a certificate speeds your path to better pay and more responsibility.
Your route might be a full certificate program, part-time training while you work, or a combination apprenticeship. If you are exploring which path fits your schedule and goals, Pathly can map the maintenance and repair worker, general path that fits you and work through it with your counselor to build a realistic timeline.
You do not need a license to work as a maintenance and repair worker, general, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You are drawn to hands-on work, solving real problems with tools and equipment. You think critically, stay alert to details, and communicate clearly with your team about what needs fixing.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).