Skilled trades and facilities job descriptions
Licensed trades, maintenance, cleaning, and security roles. 9 free, ready-to-post templates with May 2025 BLS pay data, exempt status guidance, legal notes, interview questions, and a PDF.
Skilled tradespeople are in short supply in most of the country, and they compare job postings carefully. They look for the license level required, the type of work, pay and overtime, whether you provide a truck and tools, and whether you'll support their next license or certification. Leave any of those out and the best candidates call your competitor instead.
The descriptions below cover the licensing and safety rules that most often apply to trades and facilities work: state electrician and plumber licensing, EPA Section 608 and 609 refrigerant certification, OSHA lockout/tagout and construction standards, Davis-Bacon prevailing wages on federally funded projects, and state security guard licensing.
9 skilled trades and facilities job descriptions
Electrician
Also called journeyman electrician, master electrician, commercial electrician.
Welder
Also called welder fabricator, MIG welder, TIG welder.
Maintenance technician
Also called facilities maintenance technician, building maintenance technician, industrial maintenance mechanic.
HVAC technician
Also called HVAC service technician, HVAC installer, refrigeration technician.
Plumber
Also called journeyman plumber, service plumber, pipefitter.
Construction laborer
Also called general laborer, construction worker, site laborer.
Automotive technician
Also called auto mechanic, automotive service technician, lube technician (entry level).
Janitor
Also called custodian, commercial cleaner, building porter.
Security guard
Also called security officer, unarmed security officer, patrol officer.
Skilled trades and facilities pay snapshot
National median pay for every role in this department, highest to lowest. Use it as a starting point, then check local data before you set a range.
| Role | Median hourly | Annual equivalent | Overtime status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumber | $30.67 | $63,790 | Nonexempt |
| Electrician | $30.38 | $63,190 | Nonexempt |
| HVAC technician | $29.33 | $61,010 | Nonexempt |
| Welder | $25.84 | $53,750 | Nonexempt |
| Automotive technician | $24.34 | $50,630 | Nonexempt |
| Maintenance technician | $23.84 | $49,590 | Nonexempt |
| Construction laborer | $22.66 | $47,130 | Nonexempt |
| Security guard | $18.28 | $38,020 | Nonexempt |
| Janitor | $17.71 | $36,840 | Nonexempt |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Annual equivalent is the hourly median x 2,080 hours. Overtime status is our general guidance; duties and pay decide each case.
Skilled trades and facilities hiring FAQ
Do trades job descriptions need to list licenses?
Is flat-rate pay legal for technicians?
What safety training should trades employers mention?
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