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General Maintenance Worker I Salary in the United States

How much does a General Maintenance Worker I make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a General Maintenance Worker I in the United States is $48,044 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

However, a General Maintenance Worker I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $57,825
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $42,126 to $53,164
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $36,738
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence General Maintenance Worker I Salaries

A General Maintenance Worker I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects General Maintenance Worker I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a General Maintenance Worker I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • General Maintenance Worker I (0-1 years): $48,044
  • General Maintenance Worker II (1-3 years): $51,707
  • General Maintenance Worker III (3-5 years): $59,245
  • General Maintenance Worker IV (5-7 years): $78,339
  • General Maintenance Supervisor (7+ years): $83,844
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
General Maintenance Worker I0-1 years$48,044
General Maintenance Worker II1-3 years$51,707
General Maintenance Worker III3-5 years$59,245
General Maintenance Worker IV5-7 years$78,339
General Maintenance Supervisor7+ years$83,844
View as Graph

How Do General Maintenance Worker I Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract General Maintenance Worker Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $53,194.
  • California: $52,993.
  • Massachusetts: $52,286.

Top Paying Cities for General Maintenance Worker Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $60,598
  • San Francisco: $59,934
  • Oakland: $58,671

What Skills Can Increase a General Maintenance Worker I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 5.08% Job Postings): Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.
  • Preventative Maintenance (Mentioned in 6.32% Job Postings): Developing and implementing maintenance strategies to increase equipment life expectancy and avoid unplanned downtime.
  • Repairing (Mentioned in 2.77% Job Postings): To put something that is damaged, broken, or not working correctly, back into good condition or make it work again.
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 5.08%
Preventative Maintenance 6.32%
Repairing 2.77%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a General Maintenance Worker I's salary.

  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Property Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coaching $53,329
11%
Collaboration $50,927
6%
Property Management $50,927
6%
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General Maintenance Worker I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

General Maintenance Worker I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $53,636. While startup companies pay approximate $45,416.

General Maintenance Worker I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $45,416
Growth Stage 51~500 $48,022
Established 501~5000 $51,790
Enterprise 5000+ $53,636

General Maintenance Worker I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For General Maintenance Worker I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, General Maintenance Worker positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view General Maintenance Worker I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a General Maintenance Worker I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$57,653$28.020%
Pharmaceuticals$57,653$28.020%
Biotechnology$55,251$27.015%
Financial Services$55,251$27.015%
Software & Networking$55,251$27.015%

How Education impacts a General Maintenance Worker I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many General Maintenance Worker I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an General Maintenance Worker I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $48,576 and $52,461.

General Maintenance Worker I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for General Maintenance Worker I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.3%
High School 72.7%
Associates 12.0%
Bachelors 9.3%
Masters 0.7%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

General Maintenance Worker I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a General Maintenance Worker I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$42,126
Average $48,044/year
$53,164
$3,511
Average $4,004/month
$4,430
$810
Average $924/week
$1,022
$20
Average $23/hour
$26
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $53,164 $4,430 $1,022 $26
Average $48,044 $4,004 $924 $23
25th Percentile $42,126 $3,511 $810 $20

General Maintenance Worker I Salary Growth & Career Path

General Maintenance Worker I

Next Role

Advancement

For a General Maintenance Worker I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the General Maintenance Worker II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $51,707 - a projected growth of 8% over your current level.

Most common benefits for General Maintenance Worker I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for General Maintenance Worker I

Here are companies hiring for General Maintenance Worker I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about General Maintenance Worker I

1. Where can a General Maintenance Worker I earn the most?

A General Maintenance Worker I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a General Maintenance Worker I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a General Maintenance Worker I is $60,598.

2. What is the highest pay for General Maintenance Worker I?

The highest pay for General Maintenance Worker I is $57,825.

3. What is the lowest pay for General Maintenance Worker I?

The lowest pay for General Maintenance Worker I is $36,738.

4. What are the responsibilities of General Maintenance Worker I?

Maintains, services, and conducts minor repairs on buildings and equipment. Performs a variety of semiskilled duties in the areas of plumbing, carpentry, electrical, painting, or plastering. Assists maintenance engineers and other workers with their tasks. Complies with established safety guidelines and procedures. May require a high school diploma. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for General Maintenance Worker I?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for General Maintenance Worker I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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