How much does a maintenance worker make?
a year · about $24 an hour
A typical maintenance worker in the United States makes $49,590 a year, about $24 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
A worker inspects a building or machine, then uses tools to fix problems such as a leaky faucet. They may plan repairs, get parts, record the work, or call a specialist for harder jobs.
Did you know? A “general” U.S. maintenance worker may use skills from several trades, such as pipe fitting, heating and cooling, welding, and carpentry.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $35,350 and $77,180How do you become one?
In the U.S., most start after high school or an equivalent, then learn beside experienced workers; trade classes or an apprenticeship can help. Some complex electrical or plumbing jobs may require a license, with rules varying by state and locality.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., workers with more experience, useful skills, or a license or certificate for a specialty may earn more. Pay can also vary by employer and industry, location, how difficult the job is, and extra pay for night, weekend, or overtime shifts.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in District of Columbia ($60,310), lowest in West Virginia ($38,890).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35,350 | $49,590 | $77,180 | about 1.5 million |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $60,310 | about 5,000 |
| Alaska | $60,270 | about 5,000 |
| Minnesota | $59,200 | about 30,000 |
| Washington | $59,160 | about 32,000 |
| Massachusetts | $58,320 | about 30,000 |
Official definition: 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. Excludes “Facilities Managers” (11-3013) and “Maintenance Workers, Machinery” (49-9043).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/general-maintenance-and-repa
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/49-9071.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY