Building Maintenance Workers

Career summary

# 3/28/19 lh

Building maintenance workers use carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and masonry skills to perform repairs and maintenance such as:

• Repair leaky faucets
• Clear clogged drains
• Replace light bulbs
• Fix walls, doors, floors, and windows
• Repair foundations, brick walls, and chimneys
• Repair and install machines, systems, and fixtures

Maintenance workers do some work that is routine and can be scheduled. Other repairs are due to problems. When a problem is found, workers inspect the structure or equipment and figure out the cause.

Maintenance workers take apart machines such as heaters and fix them. Sometimes they replace worn or broken parts. Workers may also clean and lubricate parts. They use various hand and power tools to make repairs. They may also use welding torches to repair and construct parts. After making repairs, workers reassemble machines and test them.

Maintenance workers install, repair, and maintain systems that control the temperature in buildings. They set and adjust the controls of these systems. In newer buildings, workers maintain computer systems that control temperature and lights. Maintenance workers also insulate walls, windows, and pipes to reduce costs for heating and cooling. Workers may replace older heating and cooling systems with new systems that are energy efficient. They may also install and maintain boilers, and may repair or replace boiler parts.

Building maintenance workers keep track of work orders. They check prices with suppliers and estimate the cost of a job. They document all purchases.

Maintenance workers who work in smaller buildings often do all the repairs except for very difficult or large jobs. In larger buildings, they may specialize in a particular area such as heating and ventilation or do general maintenance.

Related careers

This career is part of the Manufacturing cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Appliance Installers and Repairers
• Boilermakers
• Drywall Installers
• Electric Motor Repairers
• Electrician Helpers
• Electricians
• Elevator Installers and Repairers
• Heating and Cooling System Mechanics
• Industrial Machinery Mechanics
• Insulation Installers
• Janitors
• Millwrights
• Plumbers and Pipefitters
• Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers
• Stationary Engineers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to building maintenance workers.

• Plan work and schedule routine maintenance.
• Inspect buildings, machines, and equipment to determine what to repair or replace.
• Use hand, power, and specialty tools to assemble equipment and to make repairs.
• Use cutting torches or welding equipment to cut or join metal parts.
• Repair and maintain equipment to use less energy. This includes motors, plumbing, electrical fixtures, and heating and cooling systems.
• Replace old systems with new equipment to use less water and electricity.
• Fix roofs, windows, doors, and floors.
• Clean and lubricate shafts, bearings, gears, and other parts of machinery.
• Install insulation to use less energy for heating and cooling.
• Install, monitor, operate, and maintain controls for efficient lighting, heating, and cooling. This includes automatic light switches and digital temperature controls.
• Take apart, fix, and put together machines and equipment.
• Do routine maintenance such as oiling equipment, clearing clogged drains, and painting walls.
• Read blueprints, repair manuals, and parts catalogs.
• Assemble and install building components, such as boilers, insulation, plumbing, machinery, and equipment.
• Lay brick to repair and maintain physical structures.
• Keep records of maintenance, repairs, purchases, and costs.
• Estimate costs of repairs. Buy supplies and parts from distributors or stores.

Common work activities

Building maintenance workers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Handle and move objects
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Repair and maintain mechanical equipment
• Get information needed to do the job
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Control machines and processes
• Repair and maintain electronic equipment

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, building maintenance workers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social interaction. They discuss repairs with tenants, owners, and coworkers.
• Are responsible for the health and safety of people who live and work in buildings.
• Are responsible for the work outcomes of the people they supervise.
• Use the telephone daily.
• Write letters and memos sometimes.
• Work with others as part of a team.
• Have face-to-face conversations with people daily.
• On occasion are placed in conflict situations in which others may be rude or angry.

Physical work conditions

• Often wear protective attire, such as work gloves, hard hats, leather aprons, back support, and sturdy boots.
• Usually work indoors, but may on occasion work outdoors repairing foundations and exteriors.
• Work in hazardous situations or with hazardous equipment weekly. Injuries are possible from electrical shocks, cuts, or falls.
• Are often exposed to machine sounds and noises that are distracting and uncomfortable.
• Work with contaminants often such as oils, solvents, and paints.
• May be exposed to very hot or cold temperatures weekly.
• Enter cramped work places monthly that require getting into awkward positions.
• Are sometimes in high places such as roofs or on ladders.
• Work in conditions of bright or inadequate lighting weekly.
• May work near others.

Work performance

• Must be exact in their work and be sure all details are done. This is important, especially when working in hazardous conditions.
• Have the potential to make serious mistakes that are difficult to correct.
• May repeat the same physical tasks during the day.
• Can make most decisions and set most tasks without consulting a supervisor.
• Meet strict maintenance schedules weekly.
• Work physically near other people when working on equipment or in tight spaces with others.

Hours/travel

• Usually work a standard 40-hour week.
• May be on-call for emergencies.
• May work some evenings, weekends, or holidays.

Physical demands

Building maintenance workers frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stand for long periods of time.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.
• Bend or twist their body.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Kneel, stoop, crouch, or crawl.

It is important for building maintenance workers to be able to:

• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for building maintenance workers to be able to:

• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Determine from which direction a sound came.
• Use muscles to jump, sprint, or throw objects.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• See objects in very bright or glaring light.

Skills and abilities

Building maintenance workers need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand written information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.

Reason and problem solve

• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Work with things

• Repair machines or systems.
• Maintain equipment on a routine basis. Determine when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Determine the causes of technical problems and find solutions for them.
• Determine the tools and equipment needed to do a job.
• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Operate and control equipment.
• Install equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
• Inspect and evaluate the quality of products.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Building Maintenance

Other programs of study to consider

• Construction Inspection
• Construction Trades
• Custodial Services
• Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Technology
• Industrial Mechanics
• Plumbing and Water Supply

Training

To work as a building maintenance worker, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete moderate-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal training is required beyond high school. Some building maintenance workers take courses at professional-technical schools. They learn skills in trades such as plumbing and construction.

On-the-job training

Most building maintenance workers receive training on the job from an experienced worker. You begin by doing simple tasks such as fixing leaky faucets and changing light bulbs. Gradually you progress to more complex tasks, such as repairing machinery or creating parts. You need about one year to be fully trained in this occupation, although the length of training varies by employer. In large buildings that have maintenance crews, you may specialize in one type of repair. In smaller buildings that have only one worker, you need all-around skills.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Appliance Repair
• Building Maintenance
• Carpentry
• Electricity
• Industrial Arts
• Equipment Maintenance and Repair
• Woodworking

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Many employers prefer applicants who have a high school diploma or equivalent. They also prefer applicants who have related work experience. Employers provide training to people they hire as helpers. Depending on the employer, applicants may need skills in welding, carpentry, and electrical wiring. Some may need some electronics background to operate equipment with computer controls.

Employers often require applicants to pass background checks and drug tests. Background checks are required because building maintenance workers often have access to private residences and offices.

Tips

Cooperative work experience is helpful.

Costs to workers

Some workers may be required to join a union and pay an initiation fee and dues.

Licensing/certification

Some employers may require a commercial driver's license. Workers, whose job duties include grounds maintenance, may be required to obtain a pesticide operator's license.

For information on pesticide application licensing, contact:

Washington State Department of Agriculture, Pesticide Management Division 
PO Box 42560
Olympia, WA 98504-2560
877.301.4555

#3/21/16 cj. 2/8/17 lh. No change 2/15/18 cj.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary with the employer, duties, and skill of the worker. Wages are higher in government and hospital jobs, and lower in real estate and hotel or motel jobs. Some workers are members of unions. Union members often receive higher wages than non-union workers.

Building maintenance workers who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Building maintenance workers are employed in almost every industry.

Major employers:

• Property management firms
• Manufacturing
• Federal, state, and local government agencies

National outlook

Demand increases as the real estate market gets better. When people sell houses they need to get things repaired or have renovations done. Demand is also strong due to repairs of foreclosed and distressed homes caused by the recession.

This occupation is very large and has a high rate of turnover. Thus, many openings will occur as current workers change jobs or retire.

Other resources

International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials 
4755 East Philadelphia Street
Ontario, CA 91761
909.472.4100

Service Employees International Union 
1800 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036
800.424.8592

Washington Business Week 
PO Box 1170
Renton, WA 98057
253.237.3545

References

Career cluster

• Manufacturing

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General (49-9071.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Airport Attendant (912.364-010) 
• Fire-fighting-equipment Specialist (638.281-010) 
• Maintenance Repairer, Building (899.381-010) 
• Maintenance Repairer, Industrial (899.261-014) 
• Mobile-home-lot Utility Worker (899.484-010) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Realistic/Conventional/Investigative

COPSystem

• Technology Skilled