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How to hire a utility maintenance worker

Utility maintenance worker hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring utility maintenance workers in the United States:

  • The median cost to hire a utility maintenance worker is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per utility maintenance worker on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • There are a total of 54,112 utility maintenance workers in the US, and there are currently 117,975 job openings in this field.
  • Atlanta, GA, has the highest demand for utility maintenance workers, with 8 job openings.

How to hire a utility maintenance worker, step by step

To hire a utility maintenance worker, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a utility maintenance worker:

Here's a step-by-step utility maintenance worker hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a utility maintenance worker job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new utility maintenance worker
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a utility maintenance worker do?

A utility maintenance worker carries out many responsibilities related to routine clean-up and maintenance of his/her workplace. They are generally in charge of maintaining the premises and the company's equipment. They must maintain the organization's facilities as well as repair any broken equipment. They may also be expected to inspect all finished work and comply with the state's health and safety regulations. In certain situations, they may need to perform landscaping duties.

Learn more about the specifics of what a utility maintenance worker does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The utility maintenance worker hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    Hiring the perfect utility maintenance worker also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    This list shows salaries for various types of utility maintenance workers.

    Type of Utility Maintenance WorkerDescriptionHourly rate
    Utility Maintenance WorkerGeneral maintenance and repair workers fix and maintain machines, mechanical equipment, and buildings. They paint, repair flooring, and work on plumbing, electrical, and air-conditioning and heating systems.$12-23
    Maintenance TechnicianMaintenance technicians are technicians who specialize in the preservation of office facilities. They have in-depth knowledge of how various office equipment or fixtures work so that they can immediately identify how to repair them in case of breakdowns... Show more$14-28
    Maintenance Team MemberInspection, performance, and maintenance are the major functions of a maintenance team member. They are the ones responsible for repairing, fixing, monitoring, and ensuring that the equipment or tools are utilized properly without having any issues... Show more$10-17
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • General Maintenance
    • Plumbing
    • HVAC
    • Snow Removal
    • CDL
    • Maintenance Tasks
    • Preventive Maintenance
    • Sewer Lines
    • Utility Maintenance
    • Light Fixtures
    • Building Maintenance
    • Routine Maintenance
    • Cleanliness
    • GRASS
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Perform inspection reviews on final product and packaging to ensure quality standards are achieved according to GMP guidelines.
    • Ensure certain facilities fit the company's standard of cleanliness and safety.
    • Work on utilities, warehouse cleanliness and waste removal/control, adhering to strict FDAguidelines for food product dating and safety.
    • Receive and direct patients and visitors answer routine inquiries.
    • Skil in the safe and effective operation of forklift, pallet jack and tow motors used to move product.
    • Operate and maintain computers and PLC.
    More utility maintenance worker duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your utility maintenance worker job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A utility maintenance worker can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, utility maintenance workers' average salary in oklahoma is 47% less than in alaska.
    • Seniority. Entry-level utility maintenance workers 49% less than senior-level utility maintenance workers.
    • Certifications. A utility maintenance worker with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a utility maintenance worker's salary.

    Average utility maintenance worker salary

    $35,311yearly

    $16.98 hourly rate

    Entry-level utility maintenance worker salary
    $25,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 19, 2025

    Average utility maintenance worker salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$47,073$23
    2Washington$46,646$22
    3Minnesota$46,007$22
    4Hawaii$42,263$20
    5Pennsylvania$39,107$19
    6New Jersey$38,549$19
    7Nevada$37,990$18
    8Colorado$35,687$17
    9Michigan$34,308$16
    10Illinois$33,896$16
    11North Carolina$33,684$16
    12Missouri$33,175$16
    13New Mexico$32,208$15
    14Virginia$31,823$15
    15Florida$30,989$15
    16Texas$30,136$14
    17Georgia$28,068$13
    18Oklahoma$27,408$13

    Average utility maintenance worker salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Danaher$53,127$25.5418
    2Pall$51,159$24.60
    3UPS$50,514$24.2940
    4Pactiv$50,177$24.1231
    5Emerson$49,418$23.7621
    6Tulalip Resort Casino$46,213$22.22
    7Campbell Union High School District$45,981$22.111
    8UniFirst$43,655$20.9956
    9City of Corinth$43,499$20.919
    10Newell Brands$43,367$20.857
    11Bruce Transportation Group$43,216$20.78
    12York County$41,565$19.981
    13Weyerhaeuser International, Inc$41,225$19.8244
    14Republic Steel$40,840$19.63
    15Veolia Water Tech$40,831$19.6324
    16Sysco$40,466$19.4571
    17Delta Air Lines$40,251$19.3545
    18Waste Management$40,076$19.2728
    19Bob's Discount Furniture$40,055$19.261
    20LAUNCH Technical Workforce Solutions$38,566$18.54
  4. Writing a utility maintenance worker job description

    A utility maintenance worker job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a utility maintenance worker job description:

    Utility maintenance worker job description example

    1. Inspect hydraulic parts and components to detect leaks, damage and wear.

    2. Read hydraulic and pneumatic equipment pressure gauges to detect abnormal oil pressure.

    3. Replace worn or damaged hydraulic components and install new hydraulic components on new machinery and equipment.

    4. Disassemble hydraulic actuators/valves to remove and replace defective parts.

    5. Perform routine maintenance.

    6. Disassemble defective cylinders, valves, pumps and lines and rebuild, repair or replace components.

    7. Maintain inventory of parts and supplies needed for work performed.

    8. Maintain clean and orderly work area(s).

    9. Assist other Maintenance Mechanics with emergency/unscheduled repairs of production equipment as well as installation of production machinery for a new line or process. 2

    10. Comply with OSHA safety and health rules. Competencies 1. Ethical Conduct. 2. Discretion. 3. Problem Solving/Analysis. 4. Technical Capacity.

    11. Parts cleaning, painting and Inspecting

    Work Environment

    While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to a variety of extreme conditions in and around the manufacturing plant. The noise level in the work environment can be loud.

    Physical Demands

    The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing all day. The employee must frequently lift and/or move items over 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to focus.

    Expected Hours of Work

    Days and hours of work are regularly Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week however we do sometimes require OT during busy outage seasons ( Spring and Fall months 50-70 hrs a week).

    Required Education and Experience

    Basic Technical training; exposure to hydraulics, or experience in maintenance or related shop environment.

    Maintenance Mechanical/ Utility Classification

    Maintenance Reports to Shop Supervisors

    Job Description Summary/Objective

    The hydraulic maintenance utility position is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing and performing preventative maintenance of the hydraulic systems of machinery and actuator/valve equipment. Essential Functions Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

    1. Inspect hydraulic parts and components to detect leaks, damage and wear.

    2. Read hydraulic and pneumatic equipment pressure gauges to detect abnormal oil pressure.

    3. Replace worn or damaged hydraulic components and install new hydraulic components on new machinery and equipment.

    4. Disassemble hydraulic actuators/valves to remove and replace defective parts.

    5. Perform routine maintenance.

    6. Disassemble defective cylinders, valves, pumps and lines and rebuild, repair or replace components.

    7. Maintain inventory of parts and supplies needed for work performed.

    8. Maintain clean and orderly work area(s).

    9. Assist other Maintenance Mechanics with emergency/unscheduled repairs of production equipment as well as installation of production machinery for a new line or process. 2

    10. Comply with OSHA safety and health rules. Competencies 1. Ethical Conduct. 2. Discretion. 3. Problem Solving/Analysis. 4. Technical Capacity.

    11. Parts cleaning, painting and Inspecting

    Work Environment

    While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to a variety of extreme conditions in and around the manufacturing plant. The noise level in the work environment can be loud.

    Physical Demands

    The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing all day. The employee must frequently lift and/or move items over 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to focus.

    Expected Hours of Work

    Days and hours of work are regularly Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week however we do sometimes require OT during busy outage seasons ( Spring and Fall months 50-70 hrs a week).

    Required Education and Experience

    Basic Technical training; exposure to hydraulics, or experience in maintenance or related shop environment.


  5. Post your job

    To find utility maintenance workers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any utility maintenance workers they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level utility maintenance workers with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your utility maintenance worker job on Zippia to find and recruit utility maintenance worker candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit utility maintenance workers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new utility maintenance worker

    Once you've decided on a perfect utility maintenance worker candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    To prepare for the new utility maintenance worker first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a utility maintenance worker?

Hiring a utility maintenance worker comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting utility maintenance workers involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of utility maintenance worker recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

You can expect to pay around $35,311 per year for a utility maintenance worker, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for utility maintenance workers in the US typically range between $12 and $23 an hour.

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