Will AI replace Maintenance and Repair Workers, General?

AI can do 11% of the work Maintenance and Repair Workers, General do at least twice as fast. Real use has not caught up: none of their tasks show up in real AI use yet, but AI could speed up 4 of them. Robots can technically handle 10 physical tasks. 13 still need a person.

AI is already doing this0 · 0% of time

People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.

  • Real AI use has not reached any of this job's tasks yet.

AI could do this next4 · 11% of time

AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.

  • Diagnose mechanical problems and determine how to correct them, checking blueprints, repair manuals, or parts catalogs, as necessary.5% of time
  • Record type and cost of maintenance or repair work.4% of time
  • Estimate costs to repair machinery, equipment, or building structures.1% of time
  • Design new equipment to aid in the repair or maintenance of machines, mechanical equipment, or building structures.1% of time

Robots can technically do this10 · 33% of time

Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.

  • Assemble, install, or repair wiring, electrical or electronic components, pipe systems, plumbing, machinery, or equipment.Robots: purpose built settings10% of time
  • Inspect, operate, or test machinery or equipment to diagnose machine malfunctions.Robots: purpose built settings7% of time
  • Adjust functional parts of devices or control instruments, using hand tools, levels, plumb bobs, or straightedges.Robots: purpose built settings5% of time
  • Clean or lubricate shafts, bearings, gears, or other parts of machinery.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
  • Provide groundskeeping services, such as landscaping or snow removal.Robots: structured workplaces2% of time
  • Operate cutting torches or welding equipment to cut or join metal parts.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Align and balance new equipment after installation.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Inspect used parts to determine changes in dimensional requirements, using rules, calipers, micrometers, or other measuring instruments.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Set up and operate machine tools to repair or fabricate machine parts, jigs, fixtures, or tools.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Assemble boilers at installation sites, using tools such as levels, plumb bobs, hammers, torches, or other hand tools.Robots: purpose built settingsunder 1% of time

Still needs a person13 · 57% of time

No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.

  • Perform routine maintenance, such as inspecting drives, motors, or belts, checking fluid levels, replacing filters, or doing other preventive maintenance actions.13% of time
  • Repair machines, equipment, or structures, using tools such as hammers, hoists, saws, drills, wrenches, or equipment such as precision measuring instruments or electrical or electronic testing devices.13% of time
  • Paint or repair roofs, windows, doors, floors, woodwork, plaster, drywall, or other parts of building structures.6% of time
  • Dismantle machines, equipment, or devices to access and remove defective parts, using hoists, cranes, hand tools, or power tools.4% of time
  • Maintain or repair specialized equipment or machinery located in cafeterias, laundries, hospitals, stores, offices, or factories.4% of time
  • Order parts, supplies, or equipment from catalogs or suppliers.4% of time
  • Perform general cleaning of buildings or properties.4% of time
  • Plan and lay out repair work, using diagrams, drawings, blueprints, maintenance manuals, or schematic diagrams.2% of time
  • Train or manage maintenance personnel or subcontractors.2% of time
  • Fabricate or repair counters, benches, partitions, or other wooden structures, such as sheds or outbuildings.1% of time
  • Install equipment to improve the energy or operational efficiency of residential or commercial buildings.1% of time
  • Perform routine maintenance on boilers, such as replacing burners or hoses, installing replacement parts, or reinforcing structural weaknesses to ensure optimal boiler efficiency.1% of time
  • Position, attach, or blow insulating materials to prevent energy losses from buildings, pipes, or other structures or objects.1% of time

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What this means

Little of this work suits AI. The bigger change here is robots: today's robots can technically do 33% of the working time, though they are rarely cheap enough to replace people yet.

What to do next

  • Get ahead on the 4 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Keep an eye on the 10 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
  • Build on the 13 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Mechanical Door Repairers11%Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door11%Industrial Machinery Mechanics11%Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers11%Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers11%Maintenance Workers, Machinery10%

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