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The differences between repair specialists and handymen can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a repair specialist and a handyman. Additionally, a handyman has an average salary of $44,648, which is higher than the $40,844 average annual salary of a repair specialist.
The top three skills for a repair specialist include customer service, cleanliness and dexterity. The most important skills for a handyman are plumbing, customer service, and drywall repair.
| Repair Specialist | Handyman | |
| Yearly salary | $40,844 | $44,648 |
| Hourly rate | $19.64 | $21.47 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 58,898 | 3,371 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 31% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
The duties of a repair specialist depend on their line of work or place of employment. In industries such as automotive and manufacturing, a repair specialist is typically a member of a maintenance team who repairs and maintains machinery and equipment. Among their responsibilities include performing inspections and examinations, troubleshooting problems, fixing and replacing components, modifying and upgrading parts, and conducting regular maintenance checks to ensure quality and efficiency. Moreover, a repair specialist typically works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a smooth and efficient workflow.
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.
Repair specialists and handymen have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Repair Specialist | Handyman | |
| Average salary | $40,844 | $44,648 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $71,000 | Between $32,000 And $61,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | Silver Spring, MD |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Stryker | The American Musical and Dramatic Academy |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Construction |
There are a few differences between a repair specialist and a handyman in terms of educational background:
| Repair Specialist | Handyman | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 31% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between repair specialists' and handymen' demographics:
| Repair Specialist | Handyman | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.0% Female, 18.0% | Male, 95.8% Female, 4.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 4.6% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% | Black 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |