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Industrial Supply and Repair Shops
Grainger, Fastenal, MSC Industrial Supply
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
These repairers diagnose and fix electric motors, power tools, and similar equipment by testing parts, reading diagrams, and replacing worn components. The work is hands-on and technical at the same time: you have to find the fault quickly, then make a repair that is safe and reliable, not just a temporary fix.
Also known as Electric Motor Repair TechnicianMotor Repair MechanicElectric Motor MechanicPower Tool Repair TechnicianMotor Rewinder
Median Salary
$53,990
Mean $56,820
U.S. Workforce
~17K
1.7K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+3.4%
17.1K to 17.7K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ Less than 5 years experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers sits in the Trades category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~17K workers, with a median annual pay of $53,990 and roughly 1.7K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 17.1 K in 2024 to 17.7K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Post-Secondary Certificate in electrical or equipment repair, and employers typically expect less than 5 years of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Apprentice / Shop Helper and can progress toward Lead Technician / Shop Supervisor. High-value skills usually include Repairing, Hand Tools, Gauges & Multimeters, and Equipment Maintenance, paired with soft skills such as Critical Thinking, Attention to Detail, and Problem Solving.
Core Responsibilities
- Test broken motors or tools and use the symptoms, work orders, and wiring diagrams to figure out what is wrong.
- Take equipment apart so worn gears, bearings, brushes, switches, and other parts can be reached and replaced.
- Clean dirty parts, add lubrication, and adjust moving pieces so the equipment runs smoothly again.
- Check wiring, batteries, relays, and other electrical parts, then repair or reconnect them safely.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Test broken motors or tools and use the symptoms, work orders, and wiring diagrams to figure out what is wrong.
02 Take equipment apart so worn gears, bearings, brushes, switches, and other parts can be reached and replaced.
03 Clean dirty parts, add lubrication, and adjust moving pieces so the equipment runs smoothly again.
04 Check wiring, batteries, relays, and other electrical parts, then repair or reconnect them safely.
05 Solder, braze, or weld electrical connections when a simple replacement is not enough.
06 Put the equipment back together and run it through tests to make sure the repair actually solved the problem.
Industries That Hire
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Power Tool Manufacturing
Stanley Black & Decker, Milwaukee Tool, Bosch
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Electrical Equipment Manufacturing
Siemens, ABB, Schneider Electric
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Construction and Equipment Rental
United Rentals, Sunbelt Rentals, Herc Rentals
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Manufacturing Plant Maintenance
General Motors, Toyota, Boeing
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The entry barrier is fairly approachable: BLS says a high school diploma is the typical entry point, and training is usually moderate-term on-the-job training rather than years of school.
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Pay is decent for a hands-on trade, with median annual earnings of $53,990 and mean earnings of $56,820.
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The work is concrete and varied, from diagnosing wiring problems to cleaning parts, replacing worn components, and testing equipment after repairs.
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Job openings are steady rather than flashy, with about 1.7K annual openings projected, so there is a regular need for replacements and new hires.
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Workers who get good at diagnosis and careful repair can build a strong reputation in a shop because the job depends on accuracy, not just speed.
Challenges
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Growth is modest at 3.4% from 2024 to 2034, so this is not a fast-expanding field and long-term advancement can be limited.
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The occupation is small, with only about 16,570 workers, which can mean fewer openings in some areas and more dependence on local manufacturing or service demand.
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The job can be dirty and physically repetitive, with cleaning solvents, grease, small parts, and lots of disassembly and reassembly.
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Safety risks are real because the work involves electrical connections, batteries, soldering, and powered equipment that can shock, burn, or cut you.
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There is a career ceiling unless you move into supervision, specialized field service, or a broader maintenance role, since the work is narrow and tied to keeping existing equipment running.
Career Progression
Apprentice / Shop Helper
0-2 years
$34K-$44K
Learns the basics of disassembly, cleaning, testing, and safe tool use while working under close supervision.
Repair Technician
2-5 years
$50K-$60K
Handles routine repairs, diagnoses common failures, and works independently on motors and tools with standard problems.
Senior Repair Technician THIS ROLE
5-10 years
$60K-$73K
Takes on harder electrical and mechanical failures, checks the quality of repairs, and may help train newer technicians.
Lead Technician / Shop Supervisor
10+ years
$73K-$92K
Oversees repair workflow, decides how jobs are prioritized, and manages quality, parts, and safety in the shop.
Education Paths
Post-Secondary Certificate in electrical or equipment repair
A common entry point, held by 39.17% of workers in this role.
High School Diploma or Equivalent plus on-the-job training
A very common route into the job, held by 30.93% of workers in this role.
Associate's Degree in electronics or electromechanical technology
An alternative path, held by 19.77% of workers in this role.
Apprenticeship or nondegree industrial maintenance certificate
A practical alternative for people who want hands-on training and employer-backed experience rather than a college program.
Key Skills
Technical
Repairing 78%
Hand Tools, Gauges & Multimeters 75%
Equipment Maintenance 72%
Troubleshooting 72%
Equipment Selection 69%
Quality Control Analysis 69%
Wiring Diagrams, Service Manuals & Schematics 68%
Soldering, Brazing & Welding Tools 67%
Soft Skills
Critical ThinkingAttention to DetailProblem SolvingClear CommunicationPatienceDependability Job Outlook and Trends
+3.4%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
1.7K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 17.1K to 17.7 K over the next decade, representing 3.4% growth. Around 1.7 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.