All careers › Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
Maintenance technician: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $35,350lowest 10% earn less
- $40,84025th percentile
- $49,590median
- $62,62075th percentile
- $77,180top 10% earn more
A maintenance technician, which BLS counts under Maintenance and Repair Workers, General, earned a median of $49,590 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 4.2% over the next decade, a bit faster than the rate for all jobs[2][3].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +4.2%[2]
- Openings per year
- 148,700[6]
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent[7]
How much do maintenance technicians make?
The median pay for Maintenance and Repair Workers, General was $49,590 a year, or $23.84 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. The average was higher, at $53,780 a year or $25.86 an hour[8]. The median for all occupations was $50,980 a year, so the median here was slightly below it[5].
Here are the annual percentiles:
| Percentile | Annual pay | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 10th[4] | $35,350 | |
| 25th[4] | $40,840 | |
| Median[1] | $49,590 | |
| 75th[4] | $62,620 | |
| 90th[4] | $77,180 |
The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $35,350, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $77,180[4]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9]. By the hour, the 10th percentile was $17.00 and the 90th was $37.11[10].
These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not count nonproduction bonuses or the cost of benefits such as health insurance[11].
Pay by state and city
The District of Columbia had the highest median at $60,310[12]. Alaska followed at $60,270 and Minnesota at $59,200[12]. West Virginia had the lowest median among states with published data, at $38,890[12].
California had the most jobs at 143,060[13]. Texas (140,580), New York (119,650), Florida (111,530) and Illinois (66,600) followed[13].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Kahului-Wailuku, HI had the highest median at $63,980[14]. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($63,630) and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($63,220) came next[14]. The metro with the most jobs was New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, with 108,700 jobs and a median of $59,550[15].
Show median pay in 50 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia[12] | $60,310 | 4,860 |
| Alaska | $60,270 | 4,590 |
| Minnesota | $59,200 | 29,660 |
| Washington | $59,160 | 32,450 |
| Massachusetts | $58,320 | 29,830 |
| Hawaii | $57,960 | 8,030 |
| New York | $57,790 | 119,650 |
| Connecticut | $57,620 | 11,700 |
| California | $57,000 | 143,060 |
| Illinois | $56,720 | 66,600 |
| Wisconsin | $55,810 | 30,880 |
| Vermont | $55,510 | 2,610 |
| New Jersey | $54,810 | 37,350 |
| Oregon | $54,350 | 16,160 |
| Ohio | $53,420 | 64,770 |
| New Hampshire | $52,830 | 5,780 |
| Nevada | $52,360 | 16,520 |
| Iowa | $52,160 | 16,500 |
| Maryland | $51,490 | 23,730 |
| Colorado | $51,280 | 22,960 |
| Rhode Island | $50,900 | 4,500 |
| Nebraska | $50,700 | 9,850 |
| Utah | $50,450 | 16,090 |
| Delaware | $50,150 | 3,310 |
| Indiana | $49,890 | 34,480 |
| North Dakota | $49,840 | 3,300 |
| Virginia | $49,470 | 34,540 |
| Maine | $49,430 | 5,820 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,290 | 55,590 |
| Missouri | $48,370 | 31,180 |
| Idaho | $48,190 | 8,200 |
| South Dakota | $48,100 | 3,450 |
| North Carolina | $47,910 | 43,440 |
| Wyoming | $47,900 | 3,920 |
| South Carolina | $47,880 | 28,020 |
| Georgia | $47,680 | 48,430 |
| Arizona | $47,620 | 39,000 |
| Michigan | $47,580 | 39,490 |
| Tennessee | $47,240 | 35,790 |
| Kansas | $47,210 | 12,730 |
| Montana | $46,870 | 5,420 |
| Kentucky | $46,810 | 22,190 |
| Texas | $46,670 | 140,580 |
| Florida | $46,060 | 111,530 |
| New Mexico | $45,760 | 9,320 |
| Mississippi | $44,350 | 14,550 |
| Louisiana | $43,960 | 21,490 |
| Alabama | $43,630 | 16,660 |
| Arkansas | $43,400 | 12,410 |
| Oklahoma | $42,750 | 18,670 |
| West Virginia | $38,890 | 8,060 |
How to become a maintenance technician
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education. It lists no work experience in a related job and moderate-term on-the-job training[7]. The path often looks like this:
- First: finish high school or an equivalent. Some people pick up basic skills in school technical classes, trade or vocational schools, or community colleges[16].
- Next: learn on the job by watching skilled workers. Beginners start with simple repairs, then take on harder work[17].
- Then: build skills in other ways if you like. Some people assist machinery repairers, carpenters or electricians. Others join an apprenticeship that combines paid work with classroom instruction[18].
People with related work experience or a vocational program in a related trade may need a shorter period of on-the-job training[19]. The facts do not say how many years training takes.
For harder tasks, workers may need a license or certification in a specialty, such as electrical or plumbing work. Requirements vary by state and locality[20].
In an O*NET survey of 58 workers, 63% said a post-secondary certificate was required, 25% said a high school diploma or equivalent and 7% said some college courses[21]. This is a small survey.
What maintenance technicians do
These workers use skills from more than one trade to keep machines, equipment and buildings in repair[22]. Common tasks include:
- Doing routine upkeep such as checking belts and motors and replacing filters[23].
- Testing equipment to find out why it is not working[23].
- Adjusting parts of devices with hand tools and levels[23].
- Repairing machines and structures with tools and testing equipment[23].
- Ordering parts and supplies[23].
- Reading manuals and blueprints to work out a fix[23].
- Installing or repairing wiring, pipes and machinery[23].
- Estimating what a repair will cost[23].
BLS says the job calls for mechanical skills and steady hands[24][25]. Workers also deal with customers, so friendly service matters[26].
Where they work
Workers often handle many tasks in a day, indoors and outdoors[27]. Some stay in one building, such as a hotel or hospital. Others look after many buildings, such as an apartment complex or a campus[27]. Real estate and rental and leasing was the largest employer, at 20% of jobs[28].
The work can involve standing for long periods, lifting heavy objects, ladders and cramped spaces[29]. BLS says injury and illness rates for these workers are among the highest of all occupations. Common injuries include sprains, cuts and fractures[30]. Most work full time, and some are on call evenings and weekends for emergency repairs[31].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to grow 4.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 1,621,800 to 1,690,500 jobs[2]. That compares with 3.5% growth for all occupations[3]. These counts include self-employed workers, and 0.9% of these workers were self-employed in 2025[32]. The OEWS count of 1,529,700 jobs covers wage and salary jobs only[33].
BLS projects about 148,700 openings a year[6]. Openings include jobs left by workers who retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs. Each year 4.2% of workers leave the labor force and 4.3% move to a different occupation[34].
Is it a good fit?
Entry needs a high school diploma and no related experience, with moderate-term training on the job[7]. The median pay is close to the all-occupations median, and the top 10% earned more than $77,180[1][5][4]. Growth of 4.2% is a little above the all-occupations rate[2][3]. The facts suggest it suits people who like varied, hands-on work and can handle physical demands and the injury risk[27][29][30].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a maintenance technician make an hour?
- The median hourly wage for Maintenance and Repair Workers, General was $23.84 in May 2025, and the average was $25.86[1][8].
- What education do you need to be a maintenance technician?
- BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as typical, plus moderate-term on-the-job training[7].
- Is maintenance work in demand?
- BLS projects 4.2% growth from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations, with about 148,700 openings a year[2][3][6].
- What is the highest paying state for maintenance workers?
- The District of Columbia had the highest median at $60,310, then Alaska at $60,270 and Minnesota at $59,200[12].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Maintenance and Repair Workers, General in the US was $49,590 per year and $23.84 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Maintenance and Repair Workers, General is projected to grow 4.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 1,621,800 to 1,690,500 jobs (a change of +68,600). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Maintenance and Repair Workers, General: 10th percentile $35,350, 25th percentile $40,840, 75th percentile $62,620, 90th percentile $77,180. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 148,700 openings for Maintenance and Repair Workers, General are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Maintenance and Repair Workers, General: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Maintenance and Repair Workers, General was $53,780 per year and $25.86 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Maintenance and Repair Workers, General: 10th percentile $17.00, 25th percentile $19.64, 75th percentile $30.10, 90th percentile $37.11. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Maintenance and Repair Workers, General in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Maintenance and Repair Workers, General jobs: California 143,060; Texas 140,580; New York 119,650; Florida 111,530; Illinois 66,600. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Maintenance and Repair Workers, General (areas with at least 100 jobs): Kahului-Wailuku, HI $63,980; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $63,630; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $63,220; Fairbanks-College, AK $62,520; Sheboygan, WI $62,410; Napa, CA $61,860; Vallejo, CA $61,400; Decatur, IL $61,380. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Maintenance and Repair Workers, General jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 108,700 (median $59,550); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 47,890 (median $56,520); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 45,710 (median $58,020); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 39,740 (median $48,860); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 32,050 (median $46,710); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 31,890 (median $46,290). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 49-9071.00 survey of workers (58 respondents), education level they say is required: Post-Secondary Certificate 63%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 25%, Some College Courses 7% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- O*NET description of Maintenance and Repair Workers, General. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Maintenance and Repair Workers, General. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of general maintenance and repair workers in 2025: Real estate and rental and leasing 20%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: 0.9% of Maintenance and Repair Workers, General were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 1,529,700 people were employed as Maintenance and Repair Workers, General in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Maintenance and Repair Workers, General: 4.2% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.