What does the pay range look like?
Across the United States, the median for this work is about $51,100 a year in 2026, or roughly $24.50 an hour on a full-time schedule. A technician at the 25th percentile earns about $42,100. One at the 75th percentile earns about $64,600. In practice, the bottom of that range is a new technician doing make-readies and simple work orders. The top is someone who handles HVAC, appliance and plumbing repairs on their own, or who has started supervising.
These numbers come from the BLS series for general maintenance and repair workers. That series counts maintenance staff in every industry, from hotels and hospitals to factories and government buildings. BLS says real estate and rental and leasing employs about 20 percent of these workers, more than any other industry. The rest of the series still reflects other kinds of buildings, so read it as a close benchmark for apartment work. It is not an apartment-only survey.
Do apartment jobs pay more or less than other maintenance jobs?
Slightly less, on the BLS numbers. In May 2025, before any adjustment to 2026, the median across all industries was $49,590. Inside real estate and rental and leasing it was $48,360. Manufacturing paid the most of the industries BLS listed, at $61,500, and government came in at $51,160. Accommodation and food services paid the least, at $39,590.
For an apartment technician, this means you should expect to land near the middle of the national range or a little below it, unless your skills or your market push you higher. Technicians who want more money often move into a maintenance supervisor role, pick up licensed trade skills, or shift to commercial buildings, where the work leads toward building engineer jobs.
What moves pay up or down?
Location matters most. The median runs from about $40,100 in West Virginia up to about $62,200 in Alaska and the District of Columbia. Trade skills come next. BLS points out that general maintenance workers handle jobs that do not need a licensed plumber or electrician. Some states and cities require a license or certification for more complex electrical or plumbing work, and holding one widens what you can be paid to do.
Credentials and time on the job also count. An NAA article on keeping maintenance staff suggests operators tie bonuses to training, certifications and longevity. Many technicians earn the Certificate for Apartment Maintenance Technicians (CAMT) for this reason. Being on the emergency rotation is part of the job too. BLS notes these workers may be on call evenings and weekends, although how that time is paid depends on the employer.
Is housing part of the package?
Sometimes. Apartment companies have an option most employers lack: they can discount rent on a unit they own. An NAA article reports that many apartment companies give some employees a rent discount or free rent. One operator it names gives managers and maintenance supervisors up to 20 percent off rent. Not every employer offers this, and it varies by role. If a job comes with an on-site unit, add the value of the discount to the base wage when you compare offers.
Pay
USD a year, before tax. Ranges run from the 25th to the 75th percentile and come from BLS OEWS May 2025 for general maintenance and repair workers in all industries, moved to 2026 with the Employment Cost Index. Location, trade skills, credentials and the type of building you work in move the figure. Refer to the Maintenance & Make-Ready salary guide for figures from live adverts.
What you need
- EducationBLS says the usual entry requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent. Most skills are learned on the job working next to experienced technicians.
- Trade licensesSome complex electrical or plumbing tasks require a license or certification. These rules differ by state and locality.
- CAMT credentialThe full CAMT requires at least 12 months of apartment or rental housing maintenance experience, all CAMT coursework, and a passed exam. If you start before you have the experience, you earn a Provisional CAMT and have two years to upgrade.
- On-call availabilityExpect to take a turn on the emergency rotation. BLS notes these workers may be on call evenings and weekends.
How to get there
- StartMaintenance technician or make-ready techTurn units, close work orders and learn repairs from senior technicians. Expect pay near the lower end of your state's range.
- After 12 monthsEarn the CAMTOnce you have 12 months of rental housing maintenance experience, complete the coursework and pass the exam for the full credential.
- VariesLead or senior technicianTake on HVAC, appliance and plumbing repairs on your own. Licensed trade skills open up higher-paid work.
- VariesMaintenance supervisorRun the maintenance team, the work order schedule and vendors. Some operators give supervisors a rent discount.
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Questions people ask
How much does an apartment maintenance technician make an hour?
The U.S. median works out to about $24.50 an hour on a full-time schedule, which is about $51,100 a year in 2026. The middle half earn about $42,100 to $64,600 a year. These figures cover general maintenance workers in all industries.
Which states pay maintenance technicians the most?
Alaska and the District of Columbia have the highest medians, at about $62,200 each. Minnesota follows at about $61,100, Washington at about $61,000 and Massachusetts at about $60,200. Hawaii (about $59,800) and New York (about $59,600) come next.
Does the CAMT increase pay?
No single raise comes with the CAMT. An NAA article does suggest operators tie bonuses to training and certifications, though. The credential requires 12 months of rental housing maintenance experience, the CAMT coursework and a passed exam.
Do maintenance technicians get free housing?
Some do. An NAA article reports that many apartment companies give some employees discounted or free rent, and one operator gives maintenance supervisors up to 20 percent off. Housing is not standard, so ask about it when you get an offer.
Is the BLS figure specific to apartment maintenance?
No. It covers general maintenance and repair workers in every industry. Real estate and rental and leasing is the largest employer at about 20 percent, and its May 2025 median of $48,360 was a little below the all-industry median of $49,590.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: General Maintenance and Repair Workers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS OEWS: 49-9071 Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
- National Apartment Association: Certificate for Apartment Maintenance Technicians
- National Apartment Association: Good Employees Are Hard to Find, Hard to Keep
- National Apartment Association: Keep Your Maintenance Team, Job Description Redesign
