Occupation · SOC 49-9071
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
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.
Median wage
$48,620
$33,860–$76,110
Projected growth
+3.8%
Average growth
Annual openings
6,240
per year
Employed (US)
1,531,700
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
133 mapped
Core skills
RepairingEquipment MaintenanceTroubleshootingCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingOperations MonitoringActive LearningMonitoring
Knowledge areas
MechanicalEnglish LanguageBuilding and ConstructionMathematicsProduction and Processing
Technology & tools
Operating system softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareFacilities management softwareCalendar and scheduling softwareData base user interface and query software
Representative tasks
Perform routine maintenance, such as inspecting drives, motors, or belts, checking fluid levels, repInspect, operate, or test machinery or equipment to diagnose machine malfunctions.Adjust functional parts of devices or control instruments, using hand tools, levels, plumb bobs, or Use drones for inspecting roofs, gutters, and other hard-to-reach areas of buildings.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Preventive maintenance checklists — complete under direct supervision by inspecting drives, belts, and fluid levels on facility equipment.Hand tools and basic power tools — identify and use correctly when performing simple repairs on building structures under technician guidance.Filters and consumable parts — replace following written procedures and manufacturer schedules in a commercial or industrial facility.Machinery and equipment — observe and report unusual sounds, vibrations, or visual signs of malfunction during assigned rounds.Parts catalogs and supplier listings — locate and record required part numbers under supervision when assisting with stock replenishment.Repair manuals and equipment diagrams — read and reference with guidance to support basic troubleshooting tasks on common machinery.Safety protocols and lockout/tagout procedures — follow precisely before beginning any maintenance or repair activity on energized equipment.Plumbing fixtures and basic pipe fittings — assist in inspecting and tightening connections under direction in a building maintenance setting.Work orders and maintenance logs — complete accurately using facility management software with oversight from a senior technician.Electrical and electronic testing devices — handle safely and apply under supervision when supporting simple wiring inspection tasks.
developing
Routine preventive maintenance schedules — execute independently, including motor inspections, belt checks, and fluid top-offs, across multiple building systems.Mechanical malfunctions — diagnose using observation, basic testing instruments, and repair manuals with minimal oversight in a facility maintenance environment.Hand tools, levels, and plumb bobs — apply with accuracy to adjust functional parts and control instruments during equipment calibration tasks.Wiring, plumbing, and mechanical components — repair and reinstall using appropriate tools and electrical testing devices in commercial building settings.Parts and supply orders — prepare and submit from catalogs or supplier portals, verifying specifications against equipment requirements without supervisory prompting.Blueprints and technical schematics — interpret independently to identify correct repair approaches for moderately complex mechanical or structural issues.Scheduling and prioritization — manage a daily maintenance workload using calendar and scheduling software to meet facility operational deadlines.Equipment performance data — monitor using operations control software, identifying deviations from normal parameters and escalating as appropriate.Preventive and corrective maintenance records — maintain accurately in a computerized maintenance management system to support compliance and audit readiness.Minor electrical and HVAC components — assemble and replace following code-compliant procedures in occupied commercial or light-industrial facilities.
proficient
Complex mechanical failures — diagnose autonomously across drives, motors, and control systems by integrating blueprints, testing devices, and deductive reasoning in high-demand facility environments.Full-scope repair operations — execute independently on wiring, pipe systems, machinery, and structural elements using precision instruments and appropriate power tools.Non-routine equipment malfunctions — resolve by applying critical thinking and technical knowledge to develop corrective actions beyond standard repair manuals.Preventive maintenance programs — evaluate and refine based on equipment history and failure analysis data to reduce downtime in industrial or institutional facilities.Vendor and supplier relationships — manage proactively, sourcing specialized parts and negotiating delivery timelines to minimize equipment out-of-service periods.Custom maintenance fixtures or tools — design and fabricate using CAD software or shop resources to support repair tasks not addressed by standard tooling.Multi-trade repair tasks — coordinate and perform across plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems simultaneously during facility emergencies or planned shutdowns.New equipment installations — oversee and complete from assembly through commissioning, verifying performance against specification in a commercial or light-industrial setting.Quality control inspections — conduct on completed repair work, applying structured analysis to verify safety, function, and compliance with building codes.Junior maintenance staff — guide and coach informally on troubleshooting methods and safe tool use during daily operations.
advanced
Facility-wide maintenance strategy — develop and implement across all building systems, aligning preventive and predictive maintenance plans with organizational operational goals.Maintenance team performance — lead and develop through structured coaching, skills assessments, and assignment of progressively complex repair tasks in multi-site environments.Capital repair and equipment replacement decisions — drive by synthesizing failure trend data, cost-benefit analysis, and operational risk assessments for leadership stakeholders.Facilities management software and industrial control platforms — configure and optimize at the organizational level to improve work order efficiency and asset lifecycle tracking.Cross-functional project teams — coordinate during major renovations or equipment overhauls, integrating maintenance, engineering, and contractor resources to meet schedule and budget.Safety and compliance standards — author and enforce for all maintenance operations, ensuring adherence to OSHA, NEC, and building code requirements across the workforce.Innovative maintenance solutions — design and champion, including custom tooling or process improvements, to address systemic equipment reliability challenges organization-wide.Maintenance budgets and procurement strategies — own and manage, negotiating supplier contracts and forecasting parts and labor expenditures for multi-facility operations.Knowledge transfer and training curricula — design and deliver for emerging and developing technicians, translating complex mechanical and electrical concepts into accessible learning resources.Organizational maintenance metrics — establish, monitor, and report to senior leadership, using data-driven insights to continuously improve uptime, cost efficiency, and workforce capability.
Also known as
71 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Ethanol Maintenance MechanicBuilding Maintenance RepairerMechanical AdjusterMaintenance MechanicMaintenance WorkerGeneral Maintenance MechanicMaintenance AssociatePool TechnicianField Technician (Field Tech)Field Service TechnicianMechanical HandymanMaintenance JourneymanMarine-Services TechnicianBuilding EngineerFacility Maintenance TechnicianRepair TechnicianMaintenance TechnicianHandymanGeneral Utility Maintenance RepairerMaintenance Repairer, BuildingMechanical-Test TechnicianApartment Maintenance WorkerBuilding RepairerMobile-Home-Lot Utility WorkerPlumbing InstallerPipeline Corrosion TechnicianApartment Maintenance Tech (Apartment Maintenance Technician)General Maintenance WorkerTrouble ShooterEquipment Engineering TechnicianMechanical Repair WorkerMechanical InstallerEnvironmental Maintenance WorkerMechanical ExpertUtility System OperatorBuilding MechanicZone Maintenance TechnicianBuilding Maintenance MechanicPipeline Mechanical TechnicianMaintenance Repairman