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Handyperson

Also called handyman, handywoman, building handyman

Handyperson performs various maintenance and repair activities for buildings, grounds and other facilities. They repair and renovate structures and components, fences, gates and roofs, assemble furniture and perform plumbing and electrical activities. They check heating and ventilation systems, air quality and humidity in the building.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospects39 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Refuse workers and other elementary workersWhat does it pay?Below averageFrom about €700 (Bulgaria) to €4,000 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Refuse workers and other elementary workersWhat do I need to study?Basic schooling4 in 10 have basic schooling only. 5 in 10 train through vocational routes.Refuse workers and other elementary workersWill AI change it?Very littleLevel 1 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Odd job persons · ILO

What you'd do

Odd job persons · ILO
  • Repairing broken windows, screens, doors, fences, barbecues, picnic tables, shelves, cupboards and other items
  • Replacing defective items such as light bulbs
  • Repairing and painting interior and exterior surfaces such as walls, ceilings and fences
  • Adjusting doors and windows
  • Replacing tap washers
  • Putting up handrails and grab rails
  • Unloading coal or wood and putting it into cellars of private households or establishments
Maintain customer serviceCalculate costs of repair operationsRead technical datasheetUse traditional toolbox toolsUse power tools+ 5 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors and outdoors
  • On your feet most of the day
  • Constant contact with people, including the public
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Maintenance and Repair Workers, General"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

Many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as refuse workers and other elementary workers in the EU
2.04m2.13m2.42m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
247,000 new jobs 599,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Refuse workers and other elementary workers39
All jobs29
Right now
2 of 27 countries report a shortage of odd job persons, 4 a surplus.
Odd job persons · EURES

What does it pay?

Below average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €700 a month (Bulgaria) to €4,000 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among elementary occupations in the EU, women earn 9% less per hour than men. Elementary occupations · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Basic schooling

Most people start with basic schooling and learn on the job.

Highest qualification of refuse workers and other elementary workers (EU, 2025)
Degree 7%Vocational 36%General secondary 13%Basic schooling 44%
Fields that teach it
Building and civil engineering · Electricity and energy
Vocational route, EU
5 in 10 trainees in this field

Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Very little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.11 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 7 tasks
Adjusting doors and windows0.15
Replacing defective items such as light bulbs0.14
Repairing and painting interior and exterior surfaces such as walls, ceilings and fences0.12
Repairing broken windows, screens, doors, fences, barbecues, picnic tables, shelves, cupboards and other items0.10
Unloading coal or wood and putting it into cellars of private households or establishments0.10
Replacing tap washers0.08
Putting up handrails and grab rails0.08

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for odd job persons. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).