🏗️
Construction
Bechtel, Fluor, Turner Construction
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
These workers keep repair and installation jobs moving by cleaning equipment, carrying parts, helping with wiring and tubing, and testing machines before and after fixes. The work is hands-on and a good way into the trades, but it is also physical and often means doing the less visible, less skilled part of the job while someone else handles the main repair.
Also known as Maintenance HelperRepair HelperInstaller HelperMechanic HelperShop Helper
Median Salary
$38,860
Mean $40,750
U.S. Workforce
~98K
11.8K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+2.3%
98.7K to 101K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers 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 ~98K workers, with a median annual pay of $38,860 and roughly 11.8K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 98.7 K in 2024 to 101K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High school diploma or GED, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around General laborer or shop assistant and can progress toward Lead technician or maintenance specialist. High-value skills usually include Hand Tools, Power Tools & Shop Equipment, Troubleshooting & Basic Diagnostics, and Equipment Inspection & Test Instruments, paired with soft skills such as Active listening, Attention to detail, and Clear communication.
Core Responsibilities
- Clean and lubricate tools, machines, and work areas so equipment stays in good shape.
- Carry tools, parts, and supplies to the right workstation or job area.
- Take broken equipment apart and help put it back together after repairs.
- Look over machines for damage or wear and test them after fixes.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Clean and lubricate tools, machines, and work areas so equipment stays in good shape.
02 Carry tools, parts, and supplies to the right workstation or job area.
03 Take broken equipment apart and help put it back together after repairs.
04 Look over machines for damage or wear and test them after fixes.
05 Help connect, disconnect, or route wires, pipes, and tubing during repair jobs.
06 Cut, fit, or help make replacement parts and keep the parts inventory stocked.
Industries That Hire
⚡
Utilities
Duke Energy, Southern Company, Xcel Energy
🏭
Manufacturing
Caterpillar, 3M, GE Appliances
🏢
Facilities & Property Management
JLL, CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield
🚗
Automotive & Fleet Services
Ford, Toyota, Penske
Pros and Cons
Advantages
+
You can get started with a high school diploma or equivalent, and the role requires no prior work experience plus only short-term on-the-job training.
+
The pay is respectable for an entry trade role, with a median annual wage of $38,860 and a mean of $40,750.
+
There are about 11.8K annual openings, so workers have regular chances to get hired as people retire or move on.
+
The job gives you hands-on exposure to electrical, mechanical, and repair work that can lead to a full technician role later.
+
It appears in many industries, so you can move from one setting to another instead of being tied to a single employer type.
Challenges
-
Growth is only 2.3% from 2024 to 2034, so this occupation is not expanding very quickly.
-
The role can become a career ceiling unless you add more training, because many helpers stay in support work instead of moving into higher-paid technician jobs.
-
The work is physical every day, including lifting, carrying, cleaning, crouching, and moving tools and parts.
-
You often work around dirty, noisy, or cramped equipment, and mistakes with wiring, piping, or moving parts can be hazardous.
-
Because demand depends on construction, maintenance, and repair activity, slowdowns in those industries can cut hours or hiring for helpers first.
Career Progression
General laborer or shop assistant
0-1 years
$30K-$36K
Entry work usually means moving materials, cleaning work areas, and learning how repair crews organize jobs and tools.
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
1-3 years
$37K-$44K
At this level, you support technicians by cleaning equipment, checking parts, helping with simple repairs, and keeping jobs moving.
Maintenance or repair technician THIS ROLE
3-7 years
$45K-$60K
With more experience, you take on more direct troubleshooting, testing, and repair work and rely less on close supervision.
Lead technician or maintenance specialist
7+ years
$61K-$78K
Senior workers handle harder fixes, supervise helpers, and often specialize in electrical, mechanical, or industrial systems.
Education Paths
High school diploma or GED
The most common entry point, held by 31.74% of workers in this role.
Associate's degree in a trade field
A common route for 25.12% of workers, often in industrial maintenance, electrical technology, or a similar hands-on program.
Post-secondary certificate
Another common path, used by 23.48% of workers, usually through a short trade or repair program paired with on-the-job training.
Employer training, apprenticeship, or industry certification
A practical alternative for people who want to learn on the job; employers often want short-term on-the-job training and no prior experience.
Key Skills
Technical
Hand Tools, Power Tools & Shop Equipment 62%
Troubleshooting & Basic Diagnostics 62%
Equipment Inspection & Test Instruments 62%
Electrical Wiring, Piping & Component Assembly 62%
Blueprints, Schematics & Repair Manuals 62%
Parts Inventory Systems & Work Orders 62%
Soft Skills
Active listeningAttention to detailClear communicationTeamworkProblem solvingPhysical stamina Job Outlook and Trends
+2.3%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
11.8K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 98.7K to 101 K over the next decade, representing 2.3% growth. Around 11.8 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.