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Handyman vs maintainer

The differences between handymen and maintainers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a handyman and a maintainer. Additionally, a maintainer has an average salary of $51,259, which is higher than the $44,648 average annual salary of a handyman.

The top three skills for a handyman include plumbing, customer service and drywall repair. The most important skills for a maintainer are hydraulic systems, suspension systems, and test equipment.

Handyman vs maintainer overview

HandymanMaintainer
Yearly salary$44,648$51,259
Hourly rate$21.47$24.64
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs3,3718,137
Job satisfaction4.5-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 31%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

What does a handyman do?

A handyman can perform various repair and maintenance tasks involving electricity, carpentry, plumbing, and even appliance installation. Most handymen work independently, but they can also choose to be part of a company. Furthermore, a handyman must also discuss the extent of repairs to clients, even sharing insights on maintaining facilities in good condition. There are instances when a handyman may be required to work in a group setting, which requires an active line of communication and coordination.

What does a maintainer do?

A maintainer serves as a time tracker that oversees and monitors the tasks of employees. They are the one who facilitates and reviews all the work, ensuring it is done according to specifications. Depending on what industry they work in, their function is to troubleshoot, repair, test, document, and review data that is needed.

Handyman vs maintainer salary

Handymen and maintainers have different pay scales, as shown below.

HandymanMaintainer
Average salary$44,648$51,259
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $61,000Between $31,000 And $82,000
Highest paying CitySilver Spring, MDNew York, NY
Highest paying stateAlaskaNew Jersey
Best paying companyThe American Musical and Dramatic AcademyParsons
Best paying industryConstructionTechnology

Differences between handyman and maintainer education

There are a few differences between a handyman and a maintainer in terms of educational background:

HandymanMaintainer
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 31%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Handyman vs maintainer demographics

Here are the differences between handymen' and maintainers' demographics:

HandymanMaintainer
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 95.8% Female, 4.2%Male, 89.0% Female, 11.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 22.4% Asian, 4.3% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 4.6% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between handyman and maintainer duties and responsibilities

Handyman example responsibilities.

  • Train and manage new cooks and dishwashers and achieve significant improvements in their productivity.
  • Erect scaffolding and ladders for assembling structures above grind level.
  • Fabricaty office buildings by drywall, painting, electrical, roofing and demolition.
  • Perform residential/commercial handyman services, including carpentry, remodeling, installations, minor plumbing, masonry and tile work.
  • Perform a variety of lawn care and home repairs, mowing, weeding, trimming, clearing, and debris removal.
  • Erect scaffolding, shoring and braces.
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Maintainer example responsibilities.

  • Manage LAN network and provide support for users.
  • Manage all contract work including snow removal, mowing, asphalt work, and signage.
  • Ignite torches and start power supplies and strike arcs by touching electrodes to metals being weld completing electrical circuits.
  • Perform preventive maintenance checks and services on radio receivers, transmitters, communications security equipment and other relate technologies.
  • Modify components using jigs or templates.
  • Rework of SMT components on circuit board.
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Handyman vs maintainer skills

Common handyman skills
  • Plumbing, 24%
  • Customer Service, 17%
  • Drywall Repair, 9%
  • HVAC, 4%
  • General Maintenance, 4%
  • Mowing, 3%
Common maintainer skills
  • Hydraulic Systems, 13%
  • Suspension Systems, 10%
  • Test Equipment, 7%
  • Electrical Systems, 6%
  • Windows, 6%
  • Weapons Systems, 6%

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