Maintenance and repair techs have unique careers that can take on many different levels.
For example, you could work as a repair professional for an office facility or provide support in an apartment complex.
As a result, there are many facets of this job that you need to understand before trying it out.
If you’re interested in this field and think it’s right for you, make sure that you read through these pros and cons first to see if you’re suited to this career path.
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Pros of Being a Maintenance and Repair Tech
Just like with any job, there are definite benefits to becoming a maintenance and repair technician.
Simply put, this career field gives people like you a chance to work in a fun and engaging environment that may include multiple job duties and much more.
Here’s what you need to know about the benefits of this job before training for or applying for it.
1. Decent Salary
You might not think that this job would be a high-paying one, and you’re right.
That said, repair and maintenance techs don’t exactly make peanuts, either.
According to one source, they can earn an average of $43,790 every year, which isn’t bad considering this career path’s training requirements.
In other words, you can transition into this field very quickly and make good money almost immediately: some might even make more than the average listed above!
2. High Job Growth
This field is in almost constant growth because there are so many buildings and facilities that need high-quality maintenance and repair.
As a result, it should be fairly easy for you to find a job in this field, depending on where you live and your interests.
For instance, you might find an apartment maintenance job that interests you or one that’s more focused on offices or even vehicles.
The diverse range of potential jobs makes this a very broad and engaging market.
3. Work With Your Hands
Are you someone who loves working with your hands and who prefers that to office-based work?
You’ll love being a maintenance and repair tech!
You’ll be able to work on a broad array of different projects with many different customers, giving you a unique and exciting experience.
Furthermore, you’ll develop new skills as you work, such as when fixing plumbing appliances and other items.
In this way, you’ll become a better maintenance and repair specialist with time.
4. Adaptable to Many Needs
Maintenance and repair techs can adapt their career to meet the needs of many job types.
For instance, you may find yourself working for an auto company or other professionals in a unique and engaging way.
Furthermore, your career might expand to include other facets that you might not expect, including managing a shop, leading a series of teams throughout the maintenance and repair field, and other unique options that could make your job more fascinating.
5. No Training Requirements
Do you want to avoid going to community college or a university because you’re more interested in a labor-based career?
You might enjoy a career as a maintenance and repair tech!
This field doesn’t require an advanced degree, though getting one might help you find a job more easily or even transition into a management position.
That said, you can get hired as a repair tech right out of high school in many areas, meaning you can get to work almost immediately without worry.
6. Flexible Scheduling Options
What’s interesting about this job is that you might work on an as-needed basis.
What we mean is that you might get called in by clients to do repairs and get paid for them rather than working strict hours.
However, there are many careers in this field where you might work 40 or more hours, depending on your interests and abilities.
This diverse array of scheduling options gives you plenty of choices if you’re interested in pursuing this engaging and rewarding career.
7. Potential for Starting a Business
If you’re ambitious and ready to work hard, you could potentially transition a part- or full-time career as a maintenance and repair tech into a business!
For example, you could start a new company providing high-quality repair and service to your customers at multiple levels.
In this way, you can take care of yourself more effectively financially and gain independence that you can’t get when you work directly for other people instead of yourself.
Cons of Being a Maintenance and Repair Tech
While maintenance and repair technical work may suit many people, there are others who may not enjoy it.
Typically, these include people who don’t enjoy hard work or anyone who wants a job where they sit and relax.
Furthermore, this career path may also lack some basic elements that could make it frustrating.
Here are some cons that you need to keep in mind before starting.
1. It May Be Challenging Physically
Yes, you’re going to be on your feet a lot as a maintenance and repair tech.
For some people, that’s a perfect job description.
However, others may find this excessive work more challenging physically.
For example, you might find your body wearing down over time, particularly if you’re already a little older and start experiencing any adverse health effects.
As a result, it’s critical to make sure that you prepare for this concern before trying out this job.
2. Could Lack Some Benefits
Depending on your employer, you may or may not get job benefits when working as a maintenance and repair tech.
For example, you may not get time off except for sick days and may not get paid for them.
Other repair techs may not get health insurance or other perks that make working easier.
Though this is far from true for every employer, it’s important to understand this possibility before you apply for any jobs in this field.
3. Does Require On-the-Job Training
You don’t need to go to college to become a maintenance and repair technician, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to do some training.
For example, you typically do on-the-job skills training with other techs that can improve your skills and enhance your abilities.
For example, you might go through a lengthy apprenticeship period before becoming a fully capable tech.
That training might annoy or frustrate people who just want to get to work.
4. You Might Work in Uncomfortable Environments
Have you ever watched a maintenance technician standing outside in the rain fixing a problem for a customer?
If you go into this field, you’ll likely be put into this and other work environments.
For instance, depending on your career, you might work underneath oily cars, find yourself in small crawl spaces, work on top of homes, and much more.
If comfort is key to your happiness at a job, don’t become a maintenance and repair tech.
5. Potential for Long Hours
It’s common for maintenance and repair technicians to work long hours, especially if they work in apartments or other types of busy buildings.
This kind of heavy workload may appeal to some people, particularly those who want to earn overtime pay.
However, others may want a more structured and controlled work time and find these extra work hours frustrating or even exhausting.
Be prepared for this potentiality if you’re interested in a career in this field.
6. Risk of Serious Injury
While maintenance and repair work isn’t necessarily dangerous, it does have a risk of injury.
For example, you might hurt your back by lifting heavy items or experience injuries that could affect your quality of life.
These risks will vary depending on your job, as some individuals may work in more labor-intensive positions that stress their bodies out more.
Make sure that you feel comfortable with this career’s labor demands before trying it out for yourself or getting too far into your career training process.
7. Some People Find It Stressful
Maintenance and repair work is a fast-paced job and works well for people who like to be constantly working.
However, some people may find this career rather stressful, particularly if you can’t get jobs done on time.
There will be frequent pressure to stay on task and get jobs done properly and effectively.
As a result, if you’re someone who gets stressed out easily or who doesn’t like to be pressured to do work, you might not find this job very rewarding or even adverse to your overall health.
14 Pros and Cons of Working as a Maintenance and Repair Tech – Summary Table
| Pros of Being a Maintenance and Repair Tech | Cons of Being a Maintenance and Repair Tech |
|---|---|
| 1. Decent Salary | 1. It May Be Challenging Physically |
| 2. High Job Growth | 2. Could Lack Some Benefits |
| 3. Work With Your Hands | 3. Does Require On-the-Job Training |
| 4. Adaptable to Many Needs | 4. You Might Work in Uncomfortable Environments |
| 5. No Training Requirements | 5. Potential for Long Hours |
| 6. Flexible Scheduling Options | 6. Risk of Serious Injury |
| 7. Potential for Starting a Business | 7. Some People Find It Stressful |
Should You Become a Maintenance and Repair Tech?
Becoming a maintenance and repair tech can be a rewarding career choice for the right person, specifically someone who likes working with their hands and who likes working hard.
It’s not going to be a simple job for many people to do and may wear them down physically over time.
However, if you’re someone who has a knack for working with things, try out this career path to see where it might take you!
