Installation, Maintenance & Repair
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
Also called: HVAC Helper (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Helper), HVAC Installation Helper (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Installation Helper), Maintenance Aide, Maintenance Helper
US median pay
$39,630
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+5.3%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
13,600
97,100 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
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 they do day to day
- Install or replace machinery, equipment, and new or replacement parts and instruments, using hand or power tools.
- Examine and test machinery, equipment, components, and parts for defects to ensure proper functioning.
- Tend and observe equipment and machinery to verify efficient and safe operation.
- Adjust, connect, or disconnect wiring, piping, tubing, and other parts, using hand or power tools.
- Clean or lubricate vehicles, machinery, equipment, instruments, tools, work areas, and other objects, using hand tools, power tools, and cleaning equipment.
- Hold or supply tools, parts, equipment, and supplies for other workers.
- Diagnose electrical problems and install and rewire electrical components.
- Disassemble broken or defective equipment to facilitate repair and reassemble equipment when repairs are complete.
- Position vehicles, machinery, equipment, physical structures, and other objects for assembly or installation, using hand tools, power tools, and moving equipment.
- Transfer tools, parts, equipment, and supplies to and from work stations and other areas.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Troubleshooting3.1/5
- Repairing3.1/5
- Operations Monitoring3.1/5
- Operation and Control3.1/5
- Equipment Maintenance3.1/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9/5
Knowledge
- Mechanical4.1/5
- Building and Construction3.8/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.7/5
- Public Safety and Security3.5/5
- English Language3.5/5
- Engineering and Technology3.4/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma32%
- Associate's degree25%
- Post-secondary certificate23%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.