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Home→Categories→Trades→Maintenance and Repair Worker

Profession JRI–22 / Trades

Will AI replace maintenance and repair workers?

Maintenance and repair workers keep buildings, machinery, and equipment in working order by performing a wide range of tasks, from routine preventive maintenance to complex troubleshooting. Their work involves diagnosing mechanical, electrical, and structural issues, then using tools and diagnostic devices to repair or replace defective parts.

The risk spectrum — where Maintenance and Repair Worker sits
Maintenance and Repair Worker vs the 82 other jobs
Risk rank22 / 83
Automation timeline0-2 years
Median salary$49,590
Projected growth+3.8% (2024–34)
01 / Your plan

Learn before your role changes.

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What you'll learn
ElectricalCustomer ServiceMechanical
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Updated Aug 10, 2026

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02 / Job market

Official outlook: still growing.

Within the 83 professions
Salary$49,590
$31k$171k
Growth+3.8% (2024–34)
-25.9%33.5%

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a +3.8% change in employment for this occupation between 2024 and 2034, from a current base of 1,529,700 people employed earning a median of $49,590 a year.

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–34 & OEWS May 2025.

AI adoption in postings →

JRI demand index / weekly, base 100110
Aug 3Aug 10

Collected weekly through our own intake pipeline across live job postings; normalised index, not absolute counts.

03 / Real salaries

Maintenance and Repair Worker salaries by city

Median pay from real records (H-1B filings and tech job postings), across the cities with most observations.

New York$48,678Los Angeles$52,000Chicago$43,332

Range shows p25–p75; the dot is the median. Sources carry a documented bias — see the full salary page.

See real salaries →

04 / How to enter

How to become a maintenance and repair worker.

Typical preparation

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

Job training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Getting in is one thing — the day-to-day runs on a specific set of tools and skills:

Skills employers ask for

From real job postings for this role — click to explore who asks for them.

Source: O*NET 30.0 database (CC BY 4.0).

06 / FAQ

What people ask.

01Will AI replace maintenance and repair workers?
Repairing and maintaining buildings, machinery, and equipment often requires diagnosing mechanical, electrical, and structural issues. This occupation is rated critical risk, and automation could take over repetitive diagnostics within 0-2 years, while complex problem-solving and equipment integration remain areas where human workers stay essential.
02How soon could automation change Maintenance and Repair Workers?
Effects of automation may appear within 0-2 years, and projected growth of +3.8% (2024–34) suggests demand persists. Employment totals 1529700, so many workers will need to adapt using complex problem-solving and CAD software.
03What skills keep Maintenance and Repair Workers relevant?
Adapting to diverse problems in varied settings is durable human work, and it relies on critical thinking and active learning. High-demand entry capabilities include equipment maintenance, repairing, and troubleshooting; adding complex problem solving and CAD software skills supports long-term relevance.
04What preparation is needed to become a Maintenance and Repair Worker?
Occupational preparation commonly involves vocational training, hands-on work experience, or an associate's degree. High-demand capabilities for entering include equipment maintenance, repairing, and troubleshooting, and the occupation employs 1529700 people.
05Is Maintenance and Repair Worker a good career to start in 2026?
Median pay sits at 49590 per year, with a projected growth of +3.8% (2024–34). The role is rated critical risk, but automation could begin within 0-2 years, leaving room to build complex problem-solving skills before routine tasks shift.
06What tasks do Maintenance and Repair Workers perform?
These workers install equipment to improve building energy efficiency, dismantle machines to access defective parts, and perform routine maintenance like checking fluid levels and replacing filters. They also repair structures with hand tools, power tools, and precision measuring instruments, and maintain specialized equipment in cafeterias, laundries, and hospitals.