Maintenance Worker

Real salary distribution from 288 tracked cities across 46 states. Compare entry‑level, median, and senior compensation — then adjust for cost of living.

Avg Entry (P10)

$33186

Avg Median

$51055

Avg Senior (P90)

$72499

Coverage

288

U.S. cities

Key Findings

• 1 National median Maintenance Worker salary: $51,055 (2026)
• 2 Entry (P10): $33,186 → Senior (P90): $72,499 — a $39,313 career spread
• 3 Highest-paying city:
  Sunnyvale, California at $93,280
• 4 Top-paying state:
  California with $61,809 average across 61 cities
• 5 $ 56,760 separates the highest and lowest-paying cities
• 6 Coverage: 288 U.S. cities across 46 states — sourced from BLS OEWS data

If you’re considering this career, the geography of pay matters. The national median salary for Maintenance Workers in 2026 is $51,055, with entry-level positions averaging $33,186 and senior roles reaching $72,499. But those numbers flatten a reality with enormous geographic variation — Sunnyvale pays a median of $93,280, while other markets fall well below the national average. We tracked 288 cities to build the complete picture.

Positioned in Installation & Maintenance within the broader Skilled Trades industry, Maintenance Workers typically hold High school + experience. The employment landscape is shaped by growing, and the day-to-day is on‑site. Those factors — education investment, demand trajectory, and work structure — all feed into the salary numbers below.

$56,760 separates the highest and lowest-paying cities. A Maintenance Worker in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $93,280 — $56,760 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($36,520). That gap alone is more than many cities’ annual rent. Cost‑adjusted, this occupation outearns its reputation.

The salary distribution for Maintenance Workers reveals a $39,313 spread from entry to senior. At $51,055, the median sits $29,312 below the national median household income of $80,367. Context matters: this is an individual salary, compared against household income. The P10 floor of $33,186 represents early‑career or part‑time positions, while the $72,499 ceiling captures experienced professionals in premium markets.

Compare the extremes: the highest‑paying trio of cities (Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Irvine) averages $87,120, while the lowest‑paying trio (Toledo, Detroit, Akron) averages $36,813. The $50,307 difference is the kind of number that reshapes career strategy — assuming the cost of living cooperates.

A Maintenance Worker in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $93,280 — $56,760 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($36,520). That gap alone is more than many cities’ annual rent.

At the state level, California leads with an average Maintenance Worker median of $61,809 across 61 cities, followed by Massachusetts ($59,730) and Hawaii ($59,400). State averages smooth out the extremes — here’s what they reveal:
The lowest‑paying states — Mississippi, Ohio, Iowa — offer medians between $36,960 and $38,720. But state averages mask city‑level variation that’s often just as large.

When you adjust the top‑paying cities for cost of living, the ranking reshuffles. Sunnyvale ($93,280 nominal, 212 cost index) delivers $44,000 in purchasing power — maintaining its lead even after cost adjustment. This is the metric that matters for anyone considering a geo‑based career move.

Raw salary divided by the local cost index — this shows where your paycheck buys the most.

Career economics for Maintenance Workers: entry level averages $33,186, mid‑career hits $51,055, and experienced professionals reach $72,499. That’s a 2.2× multiplier from start to peak. The path typically requires High school + experience, and the work is on‑site. The outlook: growing. For early‑career professionals, the geographic pay premium is worth the math.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Maintenance Worker salary in 2026?

The weighted national median salary for…