How much does a maintenance and repair worker make?
The median maintenance and repair worker in the United States earns $48,620 per year, about $23.38 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all maintenance and repair workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 49-9071.
Maintenance and repair worker salary range
Pay for maintenance and repair workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $33,860 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $76,110. The average (mean) wage of $52,430 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,860 | $16.28 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $39,050 | $18.77 | |
| Median (50th) | $48,620 | $23.38 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $61,710 | $29.67 | |
| 90th percentile | $76,110 | $36.59 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for maintenance and repair workers, general (SOC 49-9071), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Maintenance and repair worker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Maintenance and repair workers earn the most in District of Columbia at $60,600 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $39,900. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $60,600 | 4,680 |
| Washington | $57,910 | 31,960 |
| Minnesota | $57,750 | 29,960 |
| Hawaii | $57,480 | 7,850 |
| New York | $56,180 | 124,640 |
| Massachusetts | $56,040 | 28,170 |
| California | $56,030 | 132,250 |
| Alaska | $55,650 | 4,540 |
| Illinois | $54,220 | 71,100 |
| Connecticut | $53,570 | 12,690 |
| Vermont | $53,290 | 2,320 |
| New Hampshire | $51,720 | 5,540 |
| Wisconsin | $51,470 | 30,300 |
| Iowa | $51,270 | 15,720 |
| New Jersey | $51,240 | 34,810 |
| Colorado | $51,130 | 23,220 |
| Oregon | $51,120 | 16,940 |
| Ohio | $50,520 | 63,280 |
| Nevada | $50,170 | 16,100 |
| Rhode Island | $49,920 | 5,100 |
| Maryland | $49,790 | 22,290 |
| North Dakota | $49,510 | 3,420 |
| Indiana | $49,290 | 34,440 |
| Nebraska | $49,150 | 9,980 |
| Delaware | $49,130 | 3,540 |
| Utah | $49,070 | 15,790 |
| Virginia | $49,070 | 33,610 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,950 | 60,060 |
| Maine | $48,590 | 5,440 |
| Missouri | $48,270 | 32,210 |
| Wyoming | $47,960 | 3,980 |
| Arizona | $47,260 | 39,150 |
| North Carolina | $47,200 | 46,290 |
| Michigan | $47,170 | 40,840 |
| Idaho | $47,030 | 8,780 |
| Tennessee | $46,880 | 35,930 |
| South Carolina | $46,800 | 27,820 |
| Georgia | $46,770 | 48,440 |
| Kansas | $46,590 | 13,440 |
| South Dakota | $46,420 | 3,330 |
| Kentucky | $46,110 | 21,370 |
| Montana | $45,710 | 5,430 |
| Florida | $45,000 | 112,590 |
| Texas | $44,940 | 139,310 |
| New Mexico | $41,860 | 9,230 |
| Louisiana | $41,660 | 22,170 |
| Alabama | $41,600 | 16,950 |
| Arkansas | $40,870 | 12,770 |
| Oklahoma | $40,710 | 20,000 |
| Mississippi | $40,580 | 13,530 |
| West Virginia | $39,900 | 8,530 |
State median wages for maintenance and repair workers, general (SOC 49-9071), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for maintenance and repair workers
The BLS projects employment of maintenance and repair workers to grow 4.2% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 1,621,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 1,690,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 148,700 openings a year for maintenance and repair workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a maintenance and repair worker
The typical entry-level education for maintenance and repair workers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a maintenance and repair worker earns
Certifications, the type of equipment worked on, employer, and region drive most of the pay difference. Flat-rate pay and overtime can push experienced techs well above the median.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $60,600) and the lowest (West Virginia, $39,900) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 1,531,700 people work as maintenance and repair workers in the United States. At $48,620 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Maintenance and repair worker salary FAQ
How much does a maintenance and repair worker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a maintenance and repair worker is $23.38. The middle half of maintenance and repair workers earn between $18.77 and $29.67 per hour.
What is the highest maintenance and repair worker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of maintenance and repair workers earn more than $76,110 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a maintenance and repair worker make a year?
The median annual salary for a maintenance and repair worker is $48,620. The average (mean) wage of $52,430 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a maintenance and repair worker a well paid job?
At $48,620 a year, a maintenance and repair worker earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 1,531,700 people work as maintenance and repair workers in the United States.
Which state pays maintenance and repair workers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for maintenance and repair workers at $60,600 a year. Washington ($57,910) and Minnesota ($57,750) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a maintenance and repair worker a good career?
Employment of maintenance and repair workers is projected to grow 4.2% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 148,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a maintenance and repair worker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for maintenance and repair workers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Installation & Repair salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.