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What does a maintenance helper do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
What does a maintenance helper do

A maintenance helper performs basic support tasks to assist maintenance technicians in installing and repairing machines and equipment. Their responsibilities typically include gathering and handing tools, changing fixtures such as light bulbs and faucets, preparing workspaces, and cleaning work areas and equipment. They may also liaise with vendors or suppliers, build positive relationships with clients, and handle calls and correspondence. Moreover, maintenance helper must utilize their experiences to learn more complex tasks and gain industry insight.

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Maintenance helper responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real maintenance helper resumes:

  • Painted/striped beams (per OSHA safety standards.
  • Fabricate safety guards and railing to upgrade machinery to OSHA standards.
  • Used a variety of gauges and tools to troubleshoot and repair equipment.
  • Preform grounds keeping including; mowing, spraying, watering, laying mulch, and fertilizing.
  • Perform operational checks, pressurization checks, run and ringe out wires to meet FAA specifications.
  • Preform basic preventative maintenance on all HVAC units: filters, coils, belts, grease, replace parts, etc.
  • Maintain grounds such as mowing, watering and edging lawns; perform daily trash removal and rake on a seasonal basis.
  • Perform basic electrical and plumbing maintenance.
  • Repair HVAC electronic and mechanical components.
  • Help workers in electrical and electronics equipment and plumbing.
  • Require to troubleshoot mechanical problems as well as making necessary repairs.
  • Determine placement and construction of scaffolding according to establish safety practices.
  • Clean grounds using rakes, brooms and hose.
  • Connect cables, pulleys, and hooks in safe manner.
  • Determine structural integrity and remodel accordingly.

Maintenance helper skills and personality traits

We calculated that 22% of Maintenance Helpers are proficient in Hand Tools, Plumbing, and Ladders. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Dexterity, and Troubleshooting skills.

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

  • Hand Tools, 22%

    Operated Forklifts and assisted with various construction/demolition endeavors utilizing power and hand tools.

  • Plumbing, 10%

    Helped workers in electrical and electronics equipment and plumbing.

  • Ladders, 7%

    Set up, arranged and removed decorations, tables, chairs, ladders and scaffolding to prepare facilities for large events.

  • Preventive Maintenance, 4%

    Performed preventive maintenance procedures on mechanical equipment on a scheduled basis.

  • HVAC, 4%

    Assist journeyman technicians in the repair and maintenance of industrial mechanical systems such as HVAC, fire suppression and baggage handling.

  • Mowing, 4%

    Maintain the lawn by, mowing and watering.

Common skills that a maintenance helper uses to do their job include "hand tools," "plumbing," and "ladders." You can find details on the most important maintenance helper responsibilities below.

Customer-service skills. One of the key soft skills for a maintenance helper to have is customer-service skills. You can see how this relates to what maintenance helpers do because "these workers interact with customers on a regular basis." Additionally, a maintenance helper resume shows how maintenance helpers use customer-service skills: "general building maintenance on 3 properties put customer service first on maintenance requests for tenants all aspects of repairs and preventative maintenance"

Dexterity. Another essential skill to perform maintenance helper duties is dexterity. Maintenance helpers responsibilities require that "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." Maintenance helpers also use dexterity in their role according to a real resume snippet: "provide daily and scheduled preventive maintenance on various forklifts and warehouse machinery, also responsible for daily cleanliness of warehouse. "

Troubleshooting skills. maintenance helpers are also known for troubleshooting skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to maintenance helper responsibilities, because "workers find, diagnose, and repair problems." A maintenance helper resume example shows how troubleshooting skills is used in the workplace: "assisted stationary engineers in troubleshooting & making repairs to hvac equipment. "

See the full list of maintenance helper skills

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Compare different maintenance helpers

Maintenance helper vs. Shop helper

A shop helper is in charge of providing technical assistance to staff. Their responsibilities include operating devices and machinery, assisting in kit arrangements, preparing and handing over tools to mechanics, monitoring the inventory of supplies, and performing basic repairs as needed. They may also perform clerical support tasks such as preparing and processing documentation, answering calls and correspondence, handling request procedures, and maintaining records of transactions. Furthermore, as a shop helper, it is essential to keep an active communication line with staff, coordinating for a smooth and efficient workflow.

We looked at the average maintenance helper salary and compared it with the wages of a shop helper. Generally speaking, shop helpers are paid $1,862 higher than maintenance helpers per year.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between maintenance helpers and shop helpers are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like hand tools, hvac, and mowing.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between maintenance helpers and shop helper. For instance, maintenance helper responsibilities require skills such as "plumbing," "ladders," "preventive maintenance," and "maintenance tasks." Whereas a shop helper is skilled in "customer service," "tape measure," "grinders," and "customer vehicles." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Shop helpers tend to make the most money working in the energy industry, where they earn an average salary of $36,026. In contrast, maintenance helpers make the biggest average salary, $37,360, in the energy industry.shop helpers tend to reach similar levels of education than maintenance helpers. In fact, shop helpers are 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Maintenance helper 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.

On average, groundskeeping maintenances earn a $312 lower salary than maintenance helpers a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Maintenance helpers and groundskeeping maintenances both require similar skills like "plumbing," "hvac," and "mowing" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real maintenance helper resumes. While maintenance helper responsibilities can utilize skills like "hand tools," "ladders," "preventive maintenance," and "osha," groundskeeping maintenances use skills like "customer service," "cleanliness," "pet," and "general upkeep."

On average, groundskeeping maintenances earn a lower salary than maintenance helpers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, groundskeeping maintenances earn the most pay in the real estate industry with an average salary of $32,000. Whereas maintenance helpers have higher pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $37,360.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Groundskeeping maintenances tend to reach similar levels of education than maintenance helpers. In fact, they're 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Maintenance helper vs. Helper

Helpers are employed by families or homeowners to provide overall assistance in the house. They are usually assigned to do household chores such as cleaning the house, doing the laundry, cooking meals, and tending the garden. They may also be assigned to do groceries or even drive the family around. They take care of children at home and assist them with their schoolwork should it be needed. They also address any other needs that the family may require assistance with. Helpers are expected to be patient and trustworthy since they will be working closely with the family members.

On average, helpers earn higher salaries than maintenance helpers, with a $507 difference per year.Using the responsibilities included on maintenance helpers and helpers resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "hvac," "mowing," and "a/c.rdquo;

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, maintenance helpers are more likely to have skills like "hand tools," "plumbing," "ladders," and "preventive maintenance." But a helper is more likely to have skills like "food handling," "safety rules," "physical labor," and "windows."

Helpers make a very good living in the utilities industry with an average annual salary of $36,088. On the other hand, maintenance helpers are paid the highest salary in the energy industry, with average annual pay of $37,360.helpers typically earn similar educational levels compared to maintenance helpers. Specifically, they're 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Maintenance helper 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 typically earn higher pay than maintenance helpers. On average, preventive maintenance technicians earn a $10,111 higher salary per year.While their salaries may vary, maintenance helpers and preventive maintenance technicians both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "hand tools," "plumbing," and "ladders. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A maintenance helper uses "preventive maintenance," "mowing," "maintenance tasks," and "grounds maintenance." Preventive maintenance technicians are more likely to have duties that require skills in "customer service," "dishwashers," "water filters," and "safety regulations. "The automotive industry tends to pay the highest salaries for preventive maintenance technicians, with average annual pay of $47,655. Comparatively, the highest maintenance helper annual salary comes from the energy industry.preventive maintenance technicians reach similar levels of education compared to maintenance helpers, in general. The difference is that they're 1.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of maintenance helper

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.

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