Roles

• According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS, typical duties for a general maintenance worker include fixing electrical switches, repairing air conditioning motors and unclogging drains. These workers inspect problems and figure out the best way to correct these issues. Maintenance workers check blueprints, manuals and catalogs to figure out how to make repairs. A general maintenance worker relies on tools, such as screwdrivers, saws, wrenches, drills and hammers.
  
  

Salary & Outlook

• General maintenance and repair workers earned a national average rate of $17.13 per hour and a national average salary of $35,630, according to the BLS' May 2008 Occupational Employment Statistics Survey program.
  
  Average employment growth at a rate of 11 percent is projected through 2018 for the careers of general maintenance and repair workers, according to the BLS. However, the need to replace workers who are leaving this large occupation will result in job opportunities.
  
  

Employment

• Real estate leasing companies employ the most general maintenance and repair workers and offer an annual salary of $30,620, according to the BLS. Other industries that employ high numbers of general maintenance and repair workers were local governments, real estate; traveler accommodation, and elementary and secondary schools. The motor vehicle manufacturing industry offered the highest pay with an average annual salary of $57,940.
  
  

Environment and Hours

• General maintenance workers work at various locations, from indoors to outdoors, according to the BLS. A general maintenance worker may work at a single building, such as a hospital, or may be responsible for a number of buildings, such as a college campus. Most general maintenance workers work 40 hours a week. Some work evenings or weekend shifts and may be on-call for emergency maintenance and repairs.
  
  

Education and Training

• Most employers prefer to hire applicants with a high school diploma or an equivalent. General maintenance workers are most likely to learn through informal on-the-job training. Workers typically begin as helpers to skilled general maintenance workers, carpenters, electricians or other construction workers. Helpers begin with simple jobs, such as fixing a light bulb, to more complicated jobs, such as building walls. Depending on the skill quality required, it may take several months of on-the-job training to become a fully qualified general maintenance worker.