Post Job

What does a Maintenance Assistant do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
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.

On This Page

Maintenance assistant responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real maintenance assistant resumes:

  • 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.
  • Perform preventative maintenance and repairs on window and roofing systems.
  • Assist maintenance personnel on an as needed basis to troubleshoot equipment deficiencies and/or failures.
  • Test, troubleshoot and repair systems by identifying malfunction and replacing parts and components.
  • Assist in the setup of ventilation, refrigeration and other systems and conduct repairs when necessary
  • Use of various digging equipment to dig trenches, such as shovels, trenchers, backhoes etc.
  • Clean and maintain supplies, tools, equipment, and storage areas in order to ensure compliance with OSHA safety regulations.
  • Maintain all gym equipment including adjusting, oiling, installing new chains, levers, pulleys all cleaning and safety checks.
  • Perform a variety of tasks including but not limit to: cleaning air vents, regulating ventilation filters and replacing lighting.
  • Monitor proper performance of chillers.

Maintenance assistant skills and personality traits

We calculated that 15% of Maintenance Assistants are proficient in Plumbing, HVAC, and Customer Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Dexterity, and Troubleshooting skills.

We break down the percentage of Maintenance Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Plumbing, 15%

    Performed plumbing repairs and replacement including repairing/installation on toilets and sinks.

  • HVAC, 10%

    Maintained and repaired HVAC and refrigerators under supervision.

  • Customer Service, 9%

    Improved customer service by interacting with club members one-on-one and getting feedback to improve customer experience.

  • Patients, 5%

    Received and directed patients and visitors answered routine inquiries.

  • Electrical Equipment, 5%

    Repaired electrical equipment and control circuits; replaced faulty electrical switches, and repaired refrigeration equipment.

  • Maintenance Tasks, 4%

    Transported materials and tools necessary to perform maintenance tasks to different locations.

"plumbing," "hvac," and "customer service" are among the most common skills that maintenance assistants use at work. You can find even more maintenance assistant responsibilities below, including:

Customer-service skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a maintenance assistant to have is customer-service skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "these workers interact with customers on a regular basis." Maintenance assistants often use customer-service skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "vacuumed common areas and meetings rooms then cleaned bathroom areas to ensure cleanliness and safety for guests. "

Dexterity. Many maintenance assistant duties rely on dexterity. "many repair and maintenance tasks, such as repairing small devices, connecting or attaching components, and using hand tools, require a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination.," so a maintenance assistant will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways maintenance assistant responsibilities rely on dexterity: "assist maintenance department in equipment upkeep using hand tools and power tools and mechanical lifts; scissor lift, boom lift. "

Troubleshooting skills. maintenance assistants are also known for troubleshooting skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to maintenance assistant responsibilities, because "workers find, diagnose, and repair problems." A maintenance assistant resume example shows how troubleshooting skills is used in the workplace: "provided quality customer service - maintained computers in business section using troubleshooting skills - assistant maintenance helper providing preventative maintenance"

See the full list of maintenance assistant skills

The three companies that hire the most maintenance assistants are:

Choose from 10+ customizable maintenance assistant resume templates

Build a professional maintenance assistant resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your maintenance assistant resume.
Maintenance Assistant Resume
Maintenance Assistant Resume
Maintenance Assistant Resume
Maintenance Assistant Resume
Maintenance Assistant Resume
Maintenance Assistant Resume
Maintenance Assistant Resume
Maintenance Assistant Resume
Maintenance Assistant Resume
Maintenance Assistant Resume
Maintenance Assistant Resume
Maintenance Assistant Resume
Maintenance Assistant Resume
Maintenance Assistant Resume
Maintenance Assistant Resume
Maintenance Assistant Resume

Compare different maintenance assistants

Maintenance assistant vs. Groundskeeping maintenance

A Groundskeeping Maintenance Worker performs several skilled and semi-skilled tasks in grounds keeping and building trade areas. They maintain turf places, including weed control and Integrated Pest Management. They also cut and install window glass. These professionals replace broken pipes, replace gaskets, replace washers, replace faucets, flush sewer lines, and clean clogged drains. A Groundskeepipng Maintenance Worker must know how to operate hand equipment and power tools and identify and repair minor roof leaks.

If we compare the average maintenance assistant annual salary with that of a groundskeeping maintenance, we find that groundskeeping maintenances typically earn a $1,403 lower salary than maintenance assistants make annually.Even though maintenance assistants and groundskeeping maintenances are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require plumbing, hvac, and customer service in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a maintenance assistant are more likely to require skills like "patients," "electrical equipment," "osha," and "ladders." On the other hand, a job as a groundskeeping maintenance requires skills like "pet," "pest control," "diggers," and "athletic fields." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Groundskeeping maintenances earn the highest salaries when working in the real estate industry, with an average yearly salary of $32,000. On the other hand, maintenance assistants are paid more in the government industry with an average salary of $35,031.On average, groundskeeping maintenances reach similar levels of education than maintenance assistants. Groundskeeping maintenances are 1.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Maintenance assistant vs. Janitorial maintenance worker

A janitorial maintenance worker is one of the busiest employees in a company. They are responsible for inspecting all the office's rooms and equipment daily. They do the workplace's maintenance, including completing necessary repairs and replacing supplies. They mop the floor, wipe windows and blinds, and disinfect dirty areas. They also ensure that all employees go in and out of the office in a clean and orderly manner.

Janitorial maintenance worker positions earn lower pay than maintenance assistant roles. They earn a $7,217 lower salary than maintenance assistants per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both maintenance assistants and janitorial maintenance workers have skills such as "plumbing," "hvac," and "osha. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real maintenance assistant resumes. While maintenance assistant responsibilities can utilize skills like "customer service," "patients," "electrical equipment," and "maintenance tasks," janitorial maintenance workers use skills like "building floors," "switches," "maintenance," and "general maintenance."

Janitorial maintenance workers may earn a lower salary than maintenance assistants, but janitorial maintenance workers earn the most pay in the retail industry with an average salary of $28,543. On the other hand, maintenance assistants receive higher pay in the government industry, where they earn an average salary of $35,031.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Janitorial maintenance workers tend to reach similar levels of education than maintenance assistants. In fact, they're 1.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Maintenance assistant vs. Airport maintenance labour

An airport maintenance labour worker is primarily responsible for performing various maintenance and repair tasks. Their responsibilities usually include inspecting malfunctioning equipment, troubleshooting issues, fixing electrical and plumbing systems, replacing fixtures such as light bulbs, monitoring and restocking supplies, and submitting reports to managers as necessary. Moreover, as an airport maintenance labour agent, it is essential to be proactive at dealing with issues and have an active communication line with co-workers for a smooth and efficient workflow.

On average, airport maintenance labours earn lower salaries than maintenance assistants, with a $1,017 difference per year.By looking over several maintenance assistants and airport maintenance labours resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "plumbing," "hvac," and "customer service." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from maintenance assistant resumes include skills like "patients," "electrical equipment," "osha," and "senior care," whereas an airport maintenance labour is more likely to list skills in "hand trucks," "scaffolding," "sweepers," and "manual labor. "

Airport maintenance labours make a very good living in the transportation industry with an average annual salary of $42,380. On the other hand, maintenance assistants are paid the highest salary in the government industry, with average annual pay of $35,031.When it comes to education, airport maintenance labours tend to earn similar degree levels compared to maintenance assistants. In fact, they're 0.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Maintenance assistant vs. Preventive maintenance technician

A preventive maintenance technician performs routine facility maintenance to prevent possible mechanical failure. The technicians change worn out machine parts before they can cause mechanical damage. They keep the facility operating. It is their job to conduct quality assessments, maintain inventory, and schedule repairs. Also, they see to it that machines are up and running at all times. They are expected to be equipped with skills in customer service, problem-solving, reading comprehension, business operation, and mechanical aptitude.

Preventive maintenance technicians average a higher salary than the annual salary of maintenance assistants. The difference is about $9,020 per year.According to resumes from maintenance assistants and preventive maintenance technicians, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "plumbing," "hvac," and "customer service. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "patients," "maintenance tasks," "grass," and "snow removal" are skills that commonly show up on maintenance assistant resumes. On the other hand, preventive maintenance technicians use skills like water filters, routine maintenance, cnc, and safety regulations on their resumes.In general, preventive maintenance technicians earn the most working in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $47,655. The highest-paying industry for a maintenance assistant is the government industry.In general, preventive maintenance technicians hold similar degree levels compared to maintenance assistants. Preventive maintenance technicians are 0.3% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of maintenance assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse installation, maintenance and repair jobs