General maintenance and repair workers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
General maintenance and repair workers in the United States earn a median salary of $49,590 per year — about $24 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 1.6M people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +4%.
AI & Automation Risk
The core of this occupation involves physical labor, manual dexterity, and real-time problem-solving in unpredictable physical environments, which are currently beyond the reach of AI and robotics. AI may assist with peripheral tasks like diagnosing equipment issues via computer vision or managing supply orders, but the primary work of repairing buildings and machinery remains a hands-on human requirement.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur, ILBEST VALUE | $61,380 | Below avg (86.7) | $70,828 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $62,410 | Below avg (90.9) | $68,661 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $58,900 | Below avg (87.2) | $67,561 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $57,420 | Below avg (87.6) | $65,556 |
| Lima, OH | $57,180 | Below avg (87.6) | $65,246 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $57,470 | Below avg (88.2) | $65,142 |
| Columbus, IN | $58,450 | Below avg (90.2) | $64,777 |
| Mankato, MN | $56,690 | Below avg (87.6) | $64,680 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $58,470 | Below avg (90.8) | $64,391 |
| Grand Island, NE | $55,740 | Below avg (87.1) | $63,967 |
| Kankakee, IL | $58,400 | Below avg (92.4) | $63,180 |
| Toledo, OH | $57,170 | Below avg (90.6) | $63,085 |
| Green Bay, WI | $58,080 | Below avg (92.2) | $62,997 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $56,120 | Below avg (89.3) | $62,844 |
| Twin Falls, ID * | $56,010 | Below avg (89.4) | $62,632 |