Facilities Management

Facilities Management (FM) is one of the most essential — yet often overlooked — industries that keeps America’s buildings, campuses, hospitals, workplaces, and public spaces running smoothly, safely, and efficiently.

From schools and hospitals to stadiums, airports, universities, and corporate offices, Facilities Management ensures the places we live, work, study, and visit operate at their best every single day.

At its core, the industry is responsible for managing and maintaining the physical environment of buildings and the services people rely on inside them. This includes everything from cleaning and security to HVAC systems, landscaping, utilities, and emergency management.

Facilities Management covers two major areas:

Hard Services (Technical/Building Systems):

These involve the physical structure and systems of a building, including:

  • Electrical systems

  • Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)

  • Plumbing and water management

  • Fire safety systems

  • Building automation and controls

  • Mechanical maintenance and repairs

  • Energy management and sustainability solutions

Soft Services (People & Experience):

These involve daily services that support people using the building:

  • Cleaning and sanitation

  • Security and access control

  • Waste and recycling management

  • Landscaping and groundskeeping

  • Mailroom services

  • Space planning and room setup

  • Front desk and concierge services

Facilities Management blends engineering, sustainability, technology, safety, and people-oriented work — making it one of the most diverse career pathways available to young people today.

What Facilities Management Does

Across the U.S., Facilities Management supports nearly every sector:

  • Healthcare – hospitals, medical centers, clinics

  • Education – schools, colleges, universities

  • Commercial – offices, retail centers, corporate buildings

  • Industrial – warehouses, factories, logistics centers

  • Government – public buildings, military bases

  • Transport – airports, train stations, transit hubs

  • Hospitality – hotels, resorts, convention centers

Facilities Management ensures these spaces are:

  • Safe

  • Clean

  • Energy-efficient

  • Compliant with regulations

  • Comfortable for employees, students, visitors, and customers

It is a fast-growing industry driven by technology, smart buildings, sustainability goals, and the ongoing need for skilled trades and service professionals.

What You Could Do

The Facilities Management industry offers pathways for every student, from hands-on technical trades to management, sustainability, and digital systems roles.

Here are some of the top jobs students can pursue:

Facilities Technician

Facilities Technicians perform hands-on maintenance and repairs on building systems. They fix equipment, respond to issues, and keep critical systems running. This role is ideal for students interested in electrical work, HVAC, plumbing, or general maintenance.

HVAC Technician

HVAC Technicians install and maintain heating and cooling systems. They play a major role in energy efficiency and indoor comfort. This is a high-demand skilled trade with strong earning potential and apprenticeships across the country.

Building Automation Specialist

These specialists use digital tools and software to monitor and control building systems (lighting, temperature, security, and energy). It’s a great role for students interested in technology, engineering, or smart-building systems.

Custodial & Environmental Services Staff

Custodial staff ensure buildings remain clean, safe, and healthy. In healthcare and education, these roles are essential to infection control and public health.

Groundskeeper / Landscaping Technician

Groundskeepers maintain outdoor areas — lawns, gardens, sports fields, and public spaces. They work across schools, stadiums, business parks, and large campuses.

Security Officer

Security Officers maintain safety, monitor access, and protect people and property. Many positions offer clear pathways into law enforcement or emergency management careers.

Sustainability Coordinator

These professionals help buildings reduce waste, improve energy efficiency, and meet environmental goals. This role is becoming increasingly important as organizations move toward carbon-neutral operations.

Facilities Manager

Facilities Managers oversee the entire building — operations, contractors, budgets, safety, and long-term planning. Many start in entry-level roles and work their way up through experience and professional training.

These roles only scratch the surface — Facilities Management offers hundreds of career pathways, and the industry continues to grow as buildings become more advanced.

Graduate Outcomes & Gender Split

Employment Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

  • Employment for Facilities Managers is projected to grow 5–7% through 2031 — faster than average.

  • Skilled trades such as HVAC, electrical, and plumbing continue to face critical shortages, meaning strong job security and earning potential.

Gender Split

Historically, Facilities Management has been male-dominated, especially in technical areas.
However, the industry is rapidly diversifying, with growing numbers of women entering roles in:

  • Sustainability

  • Building automation

  • Facilities coordination

  • Health & safety

  • Soft services leadership

Many FM companies have programs specifically aimed at encouraging young women to join the sector.

Average Salary

Salaries in Facilities Management vary by specialization, experience, and location. Here are typical ranges for full-time U.S. roles:

  • Facilities Technician: $40,000–$55,000

  • HVAC Technician: $48,000–$70,000

  • Electrician/Plumber (FM): $45,000–$75,000

  • Custodial Worker: $25,000–$38,000

  • Groundskeeper: $28,000–$40,000

  • Security Officer: $30,000–$45,000

  • Sustainability Coordinator: $45,000–$65,000

  • Assistant Facilities Manager: $55,000–$75,000

  • Facilities Manager: $75,000–$105,000+

Factors influencing salary include:

  • Location (urban areas typically pay more)

  • Technical certifications

  • Union vs. non-union roles

  • Industry (healthcare and manufacturing tend to pay more)

Industry Growth

Facilities Management is evolving rapidly due to:

Technology

  • Smart sensors

  • Building automation

  • Predictive maintenance

  • Robotics & cleaning technology

  • Digital twins

Sustainability

  • Energy-efficient HVAC systems

  • Green building design

  • Waste reduction programs

  • Water conservation

  • Carbon emissions reporting

Workforce Demand

As older tradespeople retire and new buildings become more complex, the demand for young, skilled workers is increasing — particularly in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, automation, and general maintenance.

This means the industry offers strong job stability, high demand, and long-term career growth for students entering today.

Qualifications and Entry Pathways

Facilities Management has multiple entry routes, depending on what a student wants to specialize in.

High School/CTE Entry-Level Pathways

Students can enter the industry straight from high school through:

  • HVAC pre-apprenticeships

  • Electrical or plumbing apprenticeships

  • Custodial or groundskeeping roles

  • Maintenance assistant positions

  • Security officer training programs

Certificates & Technical Programs

  • HVAC/R Certificate

  • Building Maintenance Certificate

  • Facilities Technician Certificate

  • Building Automation Systems Program

  • Energy Management Certificate

Degree Pathways

For students wanting leadership or technical engineering roles:

  • Bachelor of Facilities Management

  • Bachelor of Construction Management

  • Bachelor of Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

  • Bachelor of Environmental/Sustainability Science

  • Bachelor of Occupational Health & Safety

Professional Training (Post-Hire)

Many employers offer on-the-job training including:

  • OSHA safety certifications

  • LEED Green Associate certifications

  • EPA HVAC licenses

  • Building automation system training

  • Security and emergency preparedness courses

There is a pathway for every interest and learning style — from hands-on to tech-focused to leadership.

Best Places to Study

Top institutions and training providers for FM roles include:

Technical & Trade Schools

  • Universal Technical Institute (UTI)

  • Lincoln Tech

  • Refrigeration School, Inc.

  • Penn Foster

  • Local community colleges (HVAC, electrical, facility maintenance programs)

Universities

  • Purdue University

  • Texas A&M University

  • University of Wisconsin–Stout

  • Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)

  • Kennesaw State University

Where to Learn More

Students can explore more about the industry through these organizations:

  • International Facility Management Association (IFMA)

  • Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA)

  • U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)

  • ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air-Conditioning Engineers)

  • National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

  • Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM)

  • Energy Star (U.S. EPA)

These resources offer career guides, training information, and real-world insights into the future of Facilities Management.