How Much Does a Handyman Make a Year?

by Rick Suttle Google

Home and commercial building owners rely on handymen to repair plumbing, appliances, electrical components and drywall. Handymen also remodel floors, bathrooms, kitchens and family rooms, fix locks and do basic carpentry work. Many work for construction companies, apartment complexes and the government, while others are self-employed. A high school diploma and technical training are usually the only requirements for a handyman job. Handymen earn median incomes of around $35,000 to $38,000 a year.

Income and Qualifications

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that handymen, as carpenters and laborers, usually get paid by the hour. They can also earn overtime, which adds significantly to their annual incomes. They earned an average hourly wage of $17.88 as of May 2012, according to the BLS, or $37,150 per year. The top 10 percent made over $57,260 annually. Most handymen have high school diplomas and training in many areas of handiwork, e.g., woodworking, electrical repair, blueprint reading and carpentry. Some learn these skills in a trade or technical school. Others may study and train at community colleges. Post-secondary degrees, however, are not required. Employers usually prefer hiring candidates with at least one or two years experience in repair and maintenance. Other essential requirements include physical strength and stamina, a strong work ethic, a valid driver's license and supervisory, communication, customer service, mathematical and computer skills.

Income by Industry

A handyman's income can vary considerably by industry. In 2012, those in the postal service earned the highest annual income of $55,040, according to the BLS. They also earned relatively high incomes working in electrical power generation and distribution, and metal ore mining industries, $53,970 and $53,430 per year, respectively. Those employed by local government agencies and K-12 schools made $39,140 and $37,950 per year, respectively. Handymen in the travel accommodations industry earned only $31,720 annually.

Income by State

Handymen earned the highest average income of $46,640 in the District of Columbia, according to the BLS. They also earned relatively high incomes in Alaska and Nevada at $45,500 and $44,110 annually, respectively. Those in California and Pennsylvania earned salaries that were closer to the industry average, $40,310 and $37,080 per year, respectively. Handymen in Texas only earned $32,650 per year.

Job Outlook

Jobs for general maintenance and repair workers, including handymen, will increase 11 percent in the next decade, which is statistically average compared to the 14 percent growth rate for all occupations. Jobs for handymen will primarily be spurred by an improving economy, as people have more money to make repairs when the economy is booming. Jobs are usually offered to the most qualified handymen, so it may behoove them to get certified as general maintenance and repair workers. Applicants need to pass an exam through the Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals to get certified.

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