How much does a maintenance worker make?
The median maintenance worker in the United States earns $60,850 per year, about $29.25 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all maintenance workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 49-9043.
Maintenance worker salary range
Pay for maintenance workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $42,000 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $88,550. The average (mean) wage of $64,610 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $42,000 | $20.19 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $48,920 | $23.52 | |
| Median (50th) | $60,850 | $29.25 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $75,200 | $36.16 | |
| 90th percentile | $88,550 | $42.57 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for maintenance workers, machinery (SOC 49-9043), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Maintenance worker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Maintenance workers earn the most in Wyoming at $84,620 a year, and the least in New Mexico at $36,240. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $84,620 | 280 |
| New Hampshire | $77,070 | 130 |
| Kentucky | $76,710 | 2,920 |
| Nevada | $75,500 | 750 |
| Rhode Island | $72,040 | 110 |
| California | $67,840 | 4,130 |
| New York | $67,610 | 2,760 |
| Virginia | $65,500 | 1,420 |
| South Carolina | $64,910 | 960 |
| Tennessee | $64,790 | 800 |
| Iowa | $64,760 | 900 |
| Wisconsin | $64,310 | 420 |
| Colorado | $64,010 | 740 |
| Missouri | $63,720 | 2,180 |
| Connecticut | $63,250 | 410 |
| Minnesota | $63,020 | 730 |
| Washington | $62,970 | 700 |
| Louisiana | $62,640 | 1,410 |
| District of Columbia | $62,520 | 80 |
| Alaska | $61,290 | 40 |
| Nebraska | $61,190 | 650 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,080 | 1,260 |
| Utah | $60,850 | 1,180 |
| North Carolina | $60,580 | 4,750 |
| Alabama | $60,560 | 420 |
| Kansas | $60,160 | 1,040 |
| West Virginia | $60,020 | 790 |
| Michigan | $59,590 | 1,640 |
| Maryland | $59,570 | 1,870 |
| Illinois | $59,300 | 560 |
| Ohio | $59,280 | 2,330 |
| Texas | $59,280 | 8,800 |
| Oklahoma | $58,970 | 1,530 |
| New Jersey | $57,920 | 310 |
| Georgia | $57,730 | 2,900 |
| Oregon | $57,440 | 430 |
| Idaho | $56,250 | 170 |
| Arizona | $56,130 | 440 |
| Massachusetts | $55,000 | 320 |
| Mississippi | $54,380 | 450 |
| Arkansas | $53,250 | 770 |
| Maine | $52,300 | 490 |
| Florida | $51,900 | 2,830 |
| Indiana | $48,760 | 1,780 |
| South Dakota | $45,240 | 50 |
| New Mexico | $36,240 | N/A |
State median wages for maintenance workers, machinery (SOC 49-9043), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for maintenance workers
The BLS projects employment of maintenance workers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 1.9%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 59,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 58,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 4,400 openings a year for maintenance workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a maintenance worker
The typical entry-level education for maintenance workers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a maintenance worker earns
Certifications, the type of equipment worked on, employer, and region drive most of the pay difference. Flat-rate pay and overtime can push experienced techs well above the median.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Wyoming, $84,620) and the lowest (New Mexico, $36,240) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 60,020 people work as maintenance workers in the United States. At $60,850 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Maintenance worker salary FAQ
How much does a maintenance worker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a maintenance worker is $29.25. The middle half of maintenance workers earn between $23.52 and $36.16 per hour.
What is the highest maintenance worker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of maintenance workers earn more than $88,550 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a maintenance worker make a year?
The median annual salary for a maintenance worker is $60,850. The average (mean) wage of $64,610 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a maintenance worker a well paid job?
At $60,850 a year, a maintenance worker earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 60,020 people work as maintenance workers in the United States.
Which state pays maintenance workers the most?
Wyoming has the highest median salary for maintenance workers at $84,620 a year. New Hampshire ($77,070) and Kentucky ($76,710) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a maintenance worker a good career?
Employment of maintenance workers is projected to shrink 1.9% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 4,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a maintenance worker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for maintenance workers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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