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Handyman vs maintenance assistant

The differences between handymen and maintenance assistants 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 maintenance assistant. Additionally, a handyman has an average salary of $44,648, which is higher than the $31,915 average annual salary of a maintenance assistant.

The top three skills for a handyman include plumbing, customer service and drywall repair. The most important skills for a maintenance assistant are plumbing, HVAC, and customer service.

Handyman vs maintenance assistant overview

HandymanMaintenance Assistant
Yearly salary$44,648$31,915
Hourly rate$21.47$15.34
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs3,37195,815
Job satisfaction4.5-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 35%
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 maintenance assistant do?

A maintenance assistant is responsible for maintaining the company's facilities' cleanliness, ensuring that all the equipment and machinery are in working condition, and escalating high defective items for repair. Maintenance assistants should adhere to the organization's safety standards at all times to prevent hazards in operations. They also assist with monitoring inventories and requesting office supplies, inspect electrical wirings and systems for inconsistencies, respond to cleaning and repair requests, and assist guests to the correct departments.

Handyman vs maintenance assistant salary

Handymen and maintenance assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

HandymanMaintenance Assistant
Average salary$44,648$31,915
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $61,000Between $24,000 And $41,000
Highest paying CitySilver Spring, MDLas Vegas, NV
Highest paying stateAlaskaHawaii
Best paying companyThe American Musical and Dramatic AcademyBrigham and Women's Hospital
Best paying industryConstructionGovernment

Differences between handyman and maintenance assistant education

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

HandymanMaintenance Assistant
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 35%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Handyman vs maintenance assistant demographics

Here are the differences between handymen' and maintenance assistants' demographics:

HandymanMaintenance Assistant
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 95.8% Female, 4.2%Male, 86.6% Female, 13.4%
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, 10.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 4.4% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between handyman and maintenance assistant 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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Maintenance assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage long-term working relationships with many local service providers including professional septic, plumbing, electrical and HVAC providers.
  • Program and adjust PLC systems and associate communications.
  • Coordinate inspection and verify work of roofing vendors.
  • Conduce control testing on PLC's for crane trolleys.
  • Change grease for fryers and occasionally cook on the grill.
  • Maintain the integrity and dexterity of the hospital's appearance.
  • Show more

Handyman vs maintenance assistant skills

Common handyman skills
  • Plumbing, 24%
  • Customer Service, 17%
  • Drywall Repair, 9%
  • HVAC, 4%
  • General Maintenance, 4%
  • Mowing, 3%
Common maintenance assistant skills
  • Plumbing, 15%
  • HVAC, 10%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Patients, 5%
  • Electrical Equipment, 5%
  • Maintenance Tasks, 4%

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