Originally published in June 2021. Last updated on June 30, 2025.
Becoming a handyman can bring you financial freedom, the satisfaction of doing valuable work throughout your community, and many exciting career opportunities.
If you’re looking to build up your skills and become a licensed handyman, we’ve rounded up everything you need to start. In this guide, we’ll cover the essential steps to take to learn to be a handyman and get your business off the ground.
How to become a handyman:
What does a handyman do?
A handyman is a skilled tradesperson who handles a number of odd jobs or tasks at customers’ homes or workplaces. Examples of these jobs include:
- Assembling furniture
- Painting interior and exterior surfaces
- Installing shelves or fixtures
- Fixing leaky faucets
- Repairing broken doors or windows
- Maintaining gardens and lawns
- Performing small electrical or plumbing jobs
Handymen are known for their versatility and ability to manage a wide range of maintenance and repair jobs. They can work independently or be employed by companies to provide these services to clients.
A handyman is looking for solutions to problems to fix what’s broken.
So if you like to tinker and you’re always looking around your home at the things that could be better and improved… you’re going to be a great handyman.
How much does a handyman make?
The national average hourly rate in the U.S. is approximately $25.49 USD, with an annual salary of around $53,000. However, actual earnings can vary depending on your state, city, and the local demand for handyman services.
For example, handymen in California average about $25.15 per hour (roughly $52,300 annually), with rates in high-demand cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles climbing as high as $30 per hour.
In Nevada, including the Las Vegas metro area, average rates sit at $24.61 per hour, typically ranging between $20 and $29.
And in Texas, handymen earn an average of $23.74 per hour (or around $49,400 annually), with metro areas like Houston and Dallas reaching up to $27 per hour.
While new handymen may earn less in the beginning, location makes a big difference. In large cities or areas with a higher cost of living, rates of $27–$30 per hour are common.
Running your own business, instead of subcontracting for another handyman service, can also boost your income. As your reputation grows and you gain repeat customers, your earnings from consistent, ongoing work are likely to increase.
How to become a professional handyman in 6 simple steps
Ready to turn your skills into a steady income? Follow these six simple steps to start your journey as a professional handyman and build a practical, hands-on business you can enjoy.
1. Understand handyman licensing requirements
The first step is doing some basic business research. Handyman license requirements differ by state and city. In many states, handymen are allowed to work without a license as long as the job doesn’t exceed a certain dollar value.
For example, in Alaska, you only need a handyman license to work on any projects worth more than $10,000. And in Florida, you only need a license to do certain regulated jobs.
Handymen typically handle smaller jobs that don’t require a licensed contractor, like major remodels or renovations. Still, it’s a good idea to double-check what’s allowed in your area—just search “[YOUR STATE] + handyman licensing requirements” to see what steps you may need to take.
For states that do require a license, the steps for how to become a licensed handyman typically include:
- Providing proof of business insurance
- Completing relevant work experience
- Passing a contractor exam
- Registering with the department of labor
READ MORE: Find out the difference between a handyman and a contractor
Pro Tip: In addition to your state’s guidelines, you should also check your city or town’s requirements since their rules related to licenses and permits can be different.
Once you know what you need to become a handyman in your state, it’s time to move on to the next step: getting handyman experience.
2. Choose handyman training and courses
There’s no one path to handyman training. Some popular ways to learn are:
- Attending community college and vocational school
- Gaining hands-on work experience
- Doing independent learning
- Volunteering
Community college and vocational school
Community college is a great way to learn the technical skills you’ll need to be a handyman while also working towards a skilled trade.
Most colleges provide training for trades like carpentry, HVAC, and plumbing—all the way from apprenticeship to journeyman certification. Not all trade schools offer general home improvement or handyman courses, although there are options available.
Becoming a licensed or certified handyman professional in a specific trade can help you to offer more services, take on different jobs, and specialize your skillset. You may even choose to build on your handyman skills by becoming a general contractor down the road.
Work experience
If you aren’t interested in pursuing a specific trade, you can focus on gaining work experience as a handyman instead. You can do this by:
- Shadowing or assisting an independent handyman
- Taking an entry-level job at a construction site or for a home builder
- Offering handyman services to friends and family members
- Working for a handyman business
Professional work experience is not only a great way to develop your handyman skills, but also to learn the ins and outs of the business. By working with other professional handymen, you’ll have a chance to ask questions and learn from their mistakes.
Independent learning
Thanks to the internet, there are a ton of excellent handyman resources out there. From how-to videos and articles to home improvement courses and expert advice, you can learn a lot about becoming a handyman online.
You can also connect and network with other handymen through social media sites like Facebook and YouTube, giving you access to large communities of professionals to learn from and share educational resources with.
NETWORK: Join our community of handymen, contractors, and service business owners
Practice what you’ve learned in your own home by making small improvements and keeping up with maintenance. The more hands-on experience you have, the better.
Just make sure that you use well-known and trustworthy learning sources to get the most accurate, up-to-date, and relevant information.
Volunteering
Another way to get work experience as a handyman is to volunteer. You can either offer up your skills to a charity or nonprofit, or to a handyman business in exchange for hands-on experience.
Charities are notoriously cash-strapped, which means that they don’t always have the funds to hire a handyman to do small office repairs or maintenance.
Lending a hand will not only get you valuable handyman experience, but it will also give you a chance to do a good deed and grow your network of contacts and potential clients.
Alternatively, if you can’t find a charity that needs a handyman, consider getting in touch with some local handyman businesses. They may be willing to let you take on some basic tasks in exchange for free labor.
Take full advantage of the time you spend with them by asking questions, learning new skills, and building professional relationships. When you are ready to go out on your own, these contacts could be great resources or referrals for future work.
3. Set services and pricing
Next, you need to decide which services you want to offer as a handyman. Start off by contacting your state’s contractors board to determine which services you’re legally allowed to offer and whether there’s a monetary limit to the jobs you take on.
Take a look at what other handymen in your area are offering to get a feel for what kind of services handymen typically provide. If there’s a gap in the local market, think about services you could offer to make up for it.
For example, if you’re great at installing TV wall mounts and no other handymen in your area provide that service, it may be something that you want to highlight in your ads or on your business website.
READ MORE: 19 handyman services you can offer (with a free price list template)
Reviewing what others offer can also help you get a feel for how to price your handyman jobs. Keep these tips in mind:
- Position yourself somewhere in the middle, as pricing too low can negatively impact your handyman salary, while pricing too high can cause you to miss out on average clients.
- Build out a comprehensive service list based on what you have experience in and what you can legally do.
- Calculate a price for each individual service so that, when a client calls, you can offer them competitive, consistent pricing that leaves you with a profit.
“Low-balling yourself doesn’t just impact your salary,” says professional handyman James Droste. “It can also be a red flag for customers.”
4. Explore career options: Solopreneur vs. employment
A career as a handyman presents two primary paths. You can work for yourself as a solopreneur, or you can choose to be an employee for a handyman company.
Working as a solopreneur
Running your own handyman business gives you more control in your work with flexibility to make decisions over your hours and jobs you take on. It involves setting up your business, marketing your services, and managing all aspects of operations.
Employment with a handyman company
Working for an established handyman company comes with more stability, a steady income, and opportunities for learning and professional growth without the responsibilities of running a business.
Both of these options are great ways to establish yourself as a reliable handyman in your community and can lead to a profitable future.
5. Stock up on the tools and supplies you need
Having the right tools is essential for doing quality work and building trust with your clients. While your exact toolkit may vary based on the services you offer, this list of must-have handyman tools will help you feel prepped and ready:
- Cordless drill and driver set
- Hammer and screwdrivers (flathead and Phillips)
- Tape measure and level
- Utility knife
- Stud finder
- Adjustable wrench and pliers
- Power saw (circular or jigsaw)
- Shop vacuum
- Ladder (multi-position is ideal)
- Tool bag or portable toolbox
Getting the right tools from the start makes your job easier, and it shows customers you know what you’re doing. Quality tools also help you work faster, deliver better results, and look more professional.
6. Start your handyman business
After you’ve met any licensing requirements, built up your work experience, and come up with a service list, you’re just about ready to become a handyman.
Now, it’s time to start a professional handyman business so that you can market yourself, get new customers, and start turning a profit:
- Choose a handyman business name, insurance, and company structure
- Hire any subcontractors or employees you need using a handyman job description
- Develop a marketing and advertising plan
- Purchase any materials or handyman tools you need to get started (including handyman software)
Why should you start a handyman business?
Starting a handyman business is a great way to turn your practical skills into a profitable career. With low startup costs, high demand for reliable home services, and the freedom to choose your own schedule, it’s an ideal path for anyone who enjoys working with their hands and solving everyday problems.
According to some Reddit users on r/handyman, many handymen aim for $1,000-$1,500 per week in revenue. Because overhead is low, profitability is high, and the chance to work only part-time is popular.
Whether you want a flexible side hustle or a full-time business, being a handyman lets you build a stable income while helping homeowners with tasks they often can’t (or don’t want to) tackle themselves.
By following this guide, you’ll be on your way to becoming a handyman, sharpening your skills, and gaining the experience needed to succeed. Launch your own business or join an established company—either path offers plenty of opportunity to grow in this high-demand field.
Expert featured in this article: James Droste of My Handyman James.