Maintenance and repair workers, general
SOC Code: 49-9071
Maintenance and repair workers, general carries a 20% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $48,620 and +3.8% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 1,629,700 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 20% AI exposure, Maintenance and repair workers, general sits 17 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 6% of them. It ranks among the more AI-resilient roles in the dataset.
Where Maintenance and repair workers, general sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Maintenance and repair workers, general has ai exposure of 20%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Maintenance and repair workers, general vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Maintenance and repair workers, general is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Maintenance and repair workers, general (SOC 49-9071) carries an AI exposure score of 20%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 1,629,700 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +3.8% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $48,620, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Maintenance and repair workers, general. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Perform routine maintenance, such as inspecting drives, motors, or belts, checking fluid levels, replacing filters, or doing other preventive maintenance actions.
- 2. Inspect, operate, or test machinery or equipment to diagnose machine malfunctions.
- 3. Adjust functional parts of devices or control instruments, using hand tools, levels, plumb bobs, or straightedges.
- 4. Repair machines, equipment, or structures, using tools such as hammers, hoists, saws, drills, wrenches, or equipment such as precision measuring instruments or electrical or electronic testing devices.
- 5. Order parts, supplies, or equipment from catalogs or suppliers.
- 6. Perform routine maintenance on boilers, such as replacing burners or hoses, installing replacement parts, or reinforcing structural weaknesses to ensure optimal boiler efficiency.
- 7. Diagnose mechanical problems and determine how to correct them, checking blueprints, repair manuals, or parts catalogs, as necessary.
- 8. Design new equipment to aid in the repair or maintenance of machines, mechanical equipment, or building structures.
- 9. Assemble, install, or repair wiring, electrical or electronic components, pipe systems, plumbing, machinery, or equipment.
- 10. Clean or lubricate shafts, bearings, gears, or other parts of machinery.
Key Skills Required
- Equipment Maintenance
- Repairing
- Troubleshooting
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Complex Problem Solving
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Quality Control Analysis
Knowledge Areas
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Building and Construction
- Mathematics
- Production and Processing
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
- Engineering and Technology
- Education and Training
- Design
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Maintenance and repair workers, general?
Maintenance and repair workers, general has an AI exposure score of 20%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Maintenance and repair workers, general?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Maintenance and repair workers, general is projected to grow by 3.8% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 1,629,700 workers.
What skills are needed for Maintenance and repair workers, general?
Key skills for Maintenance and repair workers, general include Equipment Maintenance, Repairing, Troubleshooting, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Maintenance and repair workers, general earn?
The median annual wage for Maintenance and repair workers, general is $48,620, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Maintenance and repair workers, general?
The typical entry-level education for Maintenance and repair workers, general is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Maintenance and repair workers, general?
Maintenance and repair workers, general roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
Explore More on PlainWorkforce
Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).