National
| Median wages (2008) |
$16.21 hourly, $33,710 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
1,391,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Average (7% to 13%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
174,000 additional employees |
49-9042.00 - Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
Perform work involving the skills of two or more maintenance or craft occupations to keep machines, mechanical equipment, or the structure of an establishment in repair. Duties may involve pipe fitting; boiler making; insulating; welding; machining; carpentry; repairing electrical or mechanical equipment; installing, aligning, and balancing new equipment; and repairing buildings, floors, or stairs.
Sample of reported job titles:
Maintenance Technician, Maintenance Mechanic, Maintenance Supervisor, Maintenance Electrician, Maintenance Engineer, Process Technician, Equipment Engineering Technician, Building Maintenance Mechanic, Building Mechanic, I&C Technician (Instrument and Controls Technician)
Tasks
- Repair or replace defective equipment parts, using hand tools and power tools, and reassemble equipment.
- Perform routine preventive maintenance to ensure that machines continue to run smoothly, building systems operate efficiently, or the physical condition of buildings does not deteriorate.
- Inspect drives, motors, and belts, check fluid levels, replace filters, or perform other maintenance actions, following checklists.
- Use tools ranging from common hand and power tools, such as hammers, hoists, saws, drills, and wrenches, to precision measuring instruments and electrical and electronic testing devices.
- Assemble, install or repair wiring, electrical and electronic components, pipe systems and plumbing, machinery, and equipment.
- Diagnose mechanical problems and determine how to correct them, checking blueprints, repair manuals, and parts catalogs as necessary.
- Inspect, operate, and test machinery and equipment to diagnose machine malfunctions.
- Record type and cost of maintenance or repair work.
- Clean and lubricate shafts, bearings, gears, and other parts of machinery.
- Dismantle devices to access and remove defective parts, using hoists, cranes, hand tools, and power tools.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Drain or pipe cleaning equipment — Drain augers; Drain cleaning cables; Hand spinners; Power drain cleaners |
| Pipe or tube cutters — Copper cutting machines; Ratcheting polyvinyl chloride PVC cutters; Soil pipe cutters; Tubing cutters |
| Power drills — Cordless power drills; Direct tap machines; Hand drills; Right-angle drills |
| Power saws — Circular saws; Radial arm saws; Reciprocating saws; Tile saws |
| Pullers — Bearing pullers; Chain pullers; Comealongs; Tub drain removers |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Calendar and scheduling software — Computerized time management systems |
| Facilities management software — Computerized maintenance management system CMMS software |
| Industrial control software — Digital Direct Control DDC Energy Management software |
| Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel |
| Word processing software — Microsoft Word |
