Building Maintenance Technician
Keep apartments, offices, schools and facilities running with everyday repairs.
- $49,590
- 3–12 months on the job
Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Maintenance Helper
Also called: Maintenance Assistant · Mechanic Helper · Repair Helper · Facilities Helper
What maintenance helpers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a maintenance helper do?
Helpers, installation, maintenance and repair workers assist mechanics and repairers by performing duties such as supplying tools, cleaning work areas and holding parts. The median pay is $39,630 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few weeks on the job, and employment is projected to grow +5.3% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$39,630$19.05/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+5.3%2025–35, faster than average
- Openings per year13,600Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few weeks on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs97,100Employment, 2025
What maintenance helpers do
Maintenance helpers learn by doing. They carry tools and parts, hold materials, clean equipment and work areas, do simple repairs and assist skilled mechanics and technicians in plants, buildings and shops.
A high school diploma and short training are typical. BLS projects faster than average growth, and it is a common first step into the trades.
Typical duties
- Assist mechanics
- Carry tools and parts
- Clean work areas
- Hold materials
- Do simple repairs
- Move equipment
- Learn procedures
Work environment and schedule
Helpers work in plants, buildings, shops and outdoors.
Schedule: Full time, sometimes shifts.
A day in the life
- Get assignments.
- Help replace a pump.
- Clean the shop.
- Fetch parts.
See a full day in the life of a maintenance helper →
Maintenance Helper salary
Half of maintenance helpers earned more than $39,630 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $29,310 for the lowest 10% to $55,890 for the top 10%.
Full maintenance helper pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a maintenance helper
- Finish high school
- Get hired as a helper
- Learn from mechanics
- Take trade courses
- Advance
A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a maintenance helper →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Hand and power tools
- Basic repairs
- Safety procedures
- Material handling
- Cleaning equipment
People skills
- Willingness to learn
- Reliability
- Teamwork
- Safety awareness
All maintenance helper skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Paid entry into trades
- Faster-than-average growth
- Short training
- Learn from experts
Cons
- Low starting pay
- Physical work
- Dirty tasks
- Little independence at first
Certifications and licenses
- OSHA 10: Safety.
- Forklift certification: Helpful.
- Pre-apprenticeship: Trade intro.
- First aid: Helpful.
Career path
- Helper: Entry.
- Apprentice: Training.
- Technician: Skilled.
- Lead or Supervisor: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Maintenance Helper training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as be the helper every mechanic wants and set up a ladder safely, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Machinery Maintenance Worker
Lubricate, clean and do routine repairs on factory machines.
- $60,850
- A year or more on the job
Industrial Maintenance Technician
Keep factory machinery running with mechanical, electrical and PLC troubleshooting.
- $64,520
- 1–4 years
Construction Laborer
Prepare sites, move materials, pour concrete and support every trade on the job.
- $47,120
- Days to weeks (on the job)
Compare: Maintenance Helper vs. Building Maintenance Tech · Maintenance Helper vs. Machinery Maintenance Worker · Maintenance Helper vs. Maintenance Technician · Maintenance Helper vs. Construction Laborer
Maintenance Helper FAQ
Is maintenance helper a good start?
Yes, it’s a common path into trades.
Is it growing?
BLS projects faster than average growth.
Do I need experience?
No.
How much does a maintenance helper make?
The median annual wage for maintenance helpers was $39,630 ($19.05 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $29,310 and the highest 10% earned more than $55,890.
How long does it take to become a maintenance helper?
Most people need about A few weeks on the job of training. A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a maintenance helper?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
More maintenance helper questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 49-9098 (Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.