Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers

SOC: 49-9098 O*NET: 49-9098.00
Median Salary
$38,860
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.3%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
11.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2

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.

What does a Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers do?

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.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$28,770
10th percentile
Early Career
$33,760
25th percentile
Median
$38,860
50th percentile
Experienced
$46,600
75th percentile
Top Earners
$54,650
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$28,770
25th
$33,760
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$38,860
Mean: $40,750
75th
$46,600
90th
$54,650
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $25,880 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $33,760 and $46,600
  • Salary spread is 33.0% around the median, showing moderate variation
  • Total national employment: 97,540 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:98,700

Top Industries

Construction33.4%
Specialty Trade Contractors30.3%
Building Equipment Contractors27.9%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+2.3%
Annual Openings:11,800

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)98,700
Current
2034 (Projected)101,000
+2.3%
+2,200
Employment Change
+2.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: As fast as average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
14,200 jobs$36,6801.62x
California
10,690 jobs$42,7000.94x
Florida
6,530 jobs$38,3401.05x
New York
5,220 jobs$47,3100.86x
Virginia
4,030 jobs$37,8401.57x
North Carolina
3,750 jobs$37,6601.21x
Louisiana
3,580 jobs$36,1302.96x
Georgia
3,310 jobs$35,2101.08x
New Jersey
3,200 jobs$38,1201.19x
Tennessee
3,010 jobs$40,9801.46x
Maryland
2,580 jobs$39,1801.48x
Pennsylvania
2,290 jobs$39,7900.60x
Michigan
2,020 jobs$38,8900.73x
Arizona
1,850 jobs$43,2700.91x
Alabama
1,850 jobs$35,1601.40x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

Key Growth Factors

  • Average growth expected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Monitoring
94%
#3
Troubleshooting
86%
#4
Operation and Control
80%
#5
Equipment Maintenance
74%
#6
Operations Monitoring
66%
#7
Repairing
60%
#8
Critical Thinking
54%
#9
Coordination
46%
#10
Quality Control Analysis
40%

Skills Overview

Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Monitoring
advanced4.7
94%
Troubleshooting
intermediate4.3
86%
Operation and Control
intermediate4.0
80%
Equipment Maintenance
intermediate3.7
74%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate3.3
66%
Repairing
intermediate3.0
60%
Critical Thinking
basic2.7
54%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Active Listening

advanced
Importance100%
skills
5.0/5.0

Monitoring

advanced
Importance94%
skills
4.7/5.0

Troubleshooting

intermediate
Importance86%
skills
4.3/5.0

Operation and Control

intermediate
Importance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0

Equipment Maintenance

intermediate
Importance74%
skills
3.7/5.0

Operations Monitoring

intermediate
Importance66%
skills
3.3/5.0

Repairing

intermediate
Importance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0

Critical Thinking

basic
Importance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0

Coordination

basic
Importance46%
skills
2.3/5.0

Quality Control Analysis

basic
Importance40%
skills
2.0/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators100%
5 shared skills
Helpers--Extraction Workers82%
5 shared skills
Maintenance Workers, Machinery82%
5 shared skills
Roof Bolters, Mining82%
5 shared skills
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders82%
5 shared skills
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders73%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • Active Listening
  • Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Repairing
  • Critical Thinking

Mid Career

Expected:
  • Troubleshooting
  • Active Listening
  • Monitoring
  • Operation and Control

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • Troubleshooting
  • Active Listening
  • Operation and Control
  • Equipment Maintenance

Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers

Technology Intensity
High

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires advanced digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

Microsoft Outlook

🔥 Hot Tech

SAP software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Office software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Windows

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft PowerPoint

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Excel

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Word

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word

📚 Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • Vendor-specific software certifications
  • Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • Coursera - University-level programs
  • Udemy - Practical skills training

💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🌤️
Location
MOSTLY OUTDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL

💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • Are you comfortable working in mostly outdoor environments?
  • Can you meet moderate physical demands?
  • Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
  • Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

16
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (11)Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)Planning & Development (1)
1

Tend and observe equipment and machinery to verify efficient and safe operation.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
General Responsibilities100% perform
2

Examine and test machinery, equipment, components, and parts for defects to ensure proper functioning.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
General Responsibilities97% perform
3

Adjust, connect, or disconnect wiring, piping, tubing, and other parts, using hand or power tools.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
General Responsibilities94% perform
4

Install or replace machinery, equipment, and new or replacement parts and instruments, using hand or power tools.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
General Responsibilities91% perform
5

Clean or lubricate vehicles, machinery, equipment, instruments, tools, work areas, and other objects, using hand tools, power tools, and cleaning equipment.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
General Responsibilities88% perform
6

Apply protective materials to equipment, components, and parts to prevent defects and corrosion.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
General Responsibilities85% perform
7

Transfer tools, parts, equipment, and supplies to and from work stations and other areas.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
General Responsibilities82% perform
8

Disassemble broken or defective equipment to facilitate repair and reassemble equipment when repairs are complete.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
General Responsibilities79% perform
9

Assemble and maintain physical structures, using hand or power tools.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform
10

Position vehicles, machinery, equipment, physical structures, and other objects for assembly or installation, using hand tools, power tools, and moving equipment.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
General Responsibilities73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
  • 44% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers

💡 Career Planning Tips

  • Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value relationships

RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers

Attention to Detail

Very Important

Attention to Detail

Importance Level4.15

Dependability

Very Important

Dependability

Importance Level4.06

Integrity

Very Important

Integrity

Importance Level4.02

Adaptability/Flexibility

Important

Adaptability/Flexibility

Importance Level3.92

Concern for Others

Important

Concern for Others

Importance Level3.89

Cooperation

Important

Cooperation

Importance Level3.83

Complete Work Styles Profile

Attention to Detail
4.2
Dependability
4.1
Integrity
4.0
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.9
Concern for Others
3.9
Cooperation
3.8
Stress Tolerance
3.8
Initiative
3.7
Persistence
3.5
Analytical Thinking
3.5

💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

  • While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED

Preparation Level

Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent

These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.

Training:

Training of a few months to a year

💼 Experience Requirement

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
  • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
  • Industry certifications helpful
2

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful

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