How to become a helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers

Help installation, maintenance, and repair workers in maintenance, parts replacement, and repair of vehicles, industrial machinery, and electrical and electronic equipment. Perform duties such as furnishing tools, materials, and supplies to other workers; cleaning work area, machines, and tools; and holding materials or tools for other workers.

Steps to get there

Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

What helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers do

• Examine and test machinery, equipment, components, and parts for defects to ensure proper functioning.
• Clean or lubricate vehicles, machinery, equipment, instruments, tools, work areas, and other objects, using hand tools, power tools, and cleaning equipment.
• Transfer tools, parts, equipment, and supplies to and from work stations and other areas.
• Order new parts to maintain inventory.
• Design, weld, and fabricate parts, using blueprints or other mechanical plans.
• Install or replace machinery, equipment, and new or replacement parts and instruments, using hand or power tools.

Skills that matter most

• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Monitoring
• Speaking
• Reading Comprehension
• Active Learning
• Learning Strategies
• Writing

Is helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers a good career?

On the numbers, this job is close to the average across occupations. Median pay is 22% below the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.

Where it pays most

• District of Columbia $54,860
• Hawaii $46,320
• Washington $46,080
• New Hampshire $45,760
• Alaska $45,740

Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers salary by state and city

Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.