Maintenance Mechanic (General)

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Work Tasks

• Fix and maintain machines, buildings, heating and air-conditioning systems, plumbing, and electrical systems
• Fix roofs, paint, and keep buildings in good shape
• Find problems and use repair manuals
• Check to make sure things work correctly and fix them before they break
• Work for schools, colleges, hospitals, hotels, factories, real estate and utility companies, rental offices, wholesale and retail firms, the government
• Work with machines, mechanical equipment, hand and power tools, test devices, paint, plaster, drywall, blueprints, repair manuals, and parts catalogs

Salary, Size & Growth

• $39,500 average per year ($19.00 per hour)
• A very large occupation (1,274,500 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (1.0% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: On-the-job training
• Employers Prefer: A 2-year degree in industrial mechanics and experience overhauling machinery
• Skills/Courses: Courses in mechanical drawing, electricity, woodworking, blueprint reading, science, math, and computers.