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Handyman service vs general contractor

The differences between handyman services and general contractors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a handyman service, becoming a general contractor takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a general contractor has an average salary of $66,602, which is higher than the $42,639 average annual salary of a handyman service.

The top three skills for a handyman service include plumbing, drywall repair and snow removal. The most important skills for a general contractor are plumbing, safety regulations, and contract negotiations.

Handyman service vs general contractor overview

Handyman ServiceGeneral Contractor
Yearly salary$42,639$66,602
Hourly rate$20.50$32.02
Growth rate5%8%
Number of jobs2,59666,218
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age4746
Years of experience48

Handyman service vs general contractor salary

Handyman services and general contractors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Handyman ServiceGeneral Contractor
Average salary$42,639$66,602
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $57,000Between $41,000 And $107,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between handyman service and general contractor education

There are a few differences between a handyman service and a general contractor in terms of educational background:

Handyman ServiceGeneral Contractor
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college-California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Handyman service vs general contractor demographics

Here are the differences between handyman services' and general contractors' demographics:

Handyman ServiceGeneral Contractor
Average age4746
Gender ratioMale, 93.4% Female, 6.6%Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 22.2% Asian, 4.3% White, 58.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 2.8% White, 71.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage2%4%

Differences between handyman service and general contractor duties and responsibilities

Handyman service example responsibilities.

  • Train and manage new cooks and dishwashers and achieve significant improvements in their productivity.
  • Home repair, cement, roofing, carpentry, painting, landscaping etc.
  • General electrical and HVAC duties.
  • Install HVAC systems and components for customers.
  • Assist in tiling floors for commercial and residential building.
  • Install water heaters, appliances, ceramic tile, fences, etc.
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General contractor example responsibilities.

  • Manage the repair/replacement of mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and structural of primarily historical residences.
  • Manage third party contractors including safety oversight, environmental design specification compliance, and similar construction specifications and requirements.
  • Perform electrical, mechanical (HVAC), plumbing, framing, roofing and finishing construction for residential and commercial buildings.
  • Remodel restaurants, which include painting, dry wall, tiling, plumbing, electrical and laying carpet.
  • Assist and perform all duties with installation of cabinets, flooring, sheetrock, framing, concrete, and basic plumbing.
  • Experience in roofing, painting, digging of footers, and tile setting.
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Handyman service vs general contractor skills

Common handyman service skills
  • Plumbing, 29%
  • Drywall Repair, 16%
  • Snow Removal, 4%
  • Door Installation, 4%
  • Sheetrock, 3%
  • Mowing, 3%
Common general contractor skills
  • Plumbing, 17%
  • Safety Regulations, 12%
  • Contract Negotiations, 11%
  • Drywall Installation, 7%
  • Construction Projects, 4%
  • Payroll, 4%

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