The median pay for Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers is $39,630 a year ($19.05/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 5.3% through 2035, with about 13,600 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 49-9098
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Worker in four numbers
- Median pay
- $39,630a year, or $19.05/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $29KTop 10% $56K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +5.3%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+5.3%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +5.3% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 13,60097,100 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202597.1K
- Projected 2035102.2K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 97.1K Projected 2035 102.2K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school2.3%
- High school31.7%
- Certificate23.5%
- Some college17.3%
- Associate's25.1%
Highest education held by helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers Segment Value Less than high school 2.3% High school 31.7% Certificate 23.5% Some college 17.3% Associate's 25.1%
Also advertised as: HVAC Helper (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Helper), HVAC Installation Helper (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Installation Helper), Maintenance Aide, Maintenance Helper, Mechanic Helper, Mechanic Repair Helper.
Pay
How much do Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers make?
Every helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair worker in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$39,630
Middle half earn $34,910 to $46,890
- 10th
- $29,310
- 25th
- $34,910
- 75th
- $46,890
- 90th
- $55,890
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $29,310 |
| 25th | $34,910 |
| Median | $39,630 |
| 75th | $46,890 |
| 90th | $55,890 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $39,630
- Median hourly wage
- $19.05/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $41,490
- People employed
- 95,580
Versus all US occupations
At $39,630, Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers earn 22% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $11,350 a year.
Versus installation, maintenance, and repair occupations
Inside the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair group, where the middle occupation pays $61,150, this is 35% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $55,890 or more while the bottom 10% earn $29,310, a gap of 1.9×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 7% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
District of Columbia posts the highest raw median ($54,860), but once local prices are taken into account North Dakota leads at $50,259 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $54,860 | $49,918 | 110 |
| 2Hawaii | $46,320 | $42,128 | 660 |
| 3Washington | $46,080 | $43,060 | 1,110 |
| 4New Hampshire | $45,760 | $43,930 | 560 |
| 5Alaska | $45,740 | $44,686 | 550 |
| 6Colorado | $45,610 | $44,259 | 1,190 |
| 7Arizona | $45,560 | $45,254 | 1,770 |
| 8Rhode Island | $45,240 | $44,232 | 140 |
| 9Minnesota | $44,950 | $45,579 | 1,110 |
| 10North Dakota | $44,710 | $50,259 | 100 |
Job outlook
Is Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Worker a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +5.3% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers | +5.3% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers to change 5.3% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 5,100 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 13,600 openings are projected each year, 14.0% of the 97,100 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Worker
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)31.7%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree25.1%
- Post-Secondary Certificate23.5%
- Some College Courses17.3%
- Less than a High School Diploma2.3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 31.7% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 25.1% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 23.5% |
| Some College Courses | 17.3% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 2.3% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Worker 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.
Day-to-day tasks
- Tend and observe equipment and machinery to verify efficient and safe operation.
- Examine and test machinery, equipment, components, and parts for defects to ensure proper functioning.
- Install or replace machinery, equipment, and new or replacement parts and instruments, using hand or power tools.
- Adjust, connect, or disconnect wiring, piping, tubing, and other parts, using hand or power tools.
- Disassemble broken or defective equipment to facilitate repair and reassemble equipment when repairs are complete.
- Transfer tools, parts, equipment, and supplies to and from work stations and other areas.
- 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.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayRarely works in a climate-controlled indoor space.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening3.1
- Critical Thinking3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Speaking3.0
- Reading Comprehension2.6
- Active Learning2.6
- Learning Strategies2.5
- Writing2.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.1 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.6 |
| Active Learning | 2.6 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.5 |
| Writing | 2.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring3.1
- Operation and Control3.1
- Equipment Maintenance3.1
- Troubleshooting3.1
- Repairing3.1
- Coordination3.0
- Quality Control Analysis3.0
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Operation and Control | 3.1 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.1 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.1 |
| Repairing | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Facilities management software
- Industrial control software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Worker?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Worker |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic7.0
- Conventional4.0
- Investigative2.0
- Social1.8
- Enterprising1.6
- Artistic1.1
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Worker
O*NET related occupations
- Production
- Construction and Extraction
Helpers--Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, and Steamfitter
$42,360median a year
Most earn $34K to $58K
+2.4%High school - Construction and Extraction
- Construction and Extraction
- Construction and Extraction
- Construction and Extraction
Helpers--Painter, Paperhanger, Plasterer, and Stucco Mason
$40,470median a year
Most earn $31K to $52K
+1.5%No formal credential
More installation, maintenance, and repair careers
Median annual pay, with helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers highlighted
- Aircraft Mechanic$79,870
- Millwright$65,700
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic$64,520
- Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist$61,770
- Medical Equipment Repairer$61,660
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer$61,010
- Automotive Body and Related Repairer$54,890
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic$50,620
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Worker$39,630
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanic | $79,870 |
| Millwright | $65,700 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $64,520 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist | $61,770 |
| Medical Equipment Repairer | $61,660 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer | $61,010 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairer | $54,890 |
| Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic | $50,620 |
| Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Worker | $39,630 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Worker appears on
Questions
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Worker: frequently asked questions
How much do Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers make?
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers earn a median of $39,630 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 22% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $19.05/hr. The middle half earn between $34,910 and $46,890. The top 10% earn $55,890 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Worker?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers. BLS also lists short-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 31.7% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Worker a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5.3% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 13,600 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Worker do?
Help installation, maintenance, and repair workers in maintenance, parts replacement, and repair of vehicles, industrial machinery, and electrical and electronic equipment. A core O*NET task: tend and observe equipment and machinery to verify efficient and safe operation. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Enterprise resource planning ERP software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers the most?
The highest state medians for Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers are District of Columbia ($54,860), Hawaii ($46,320), Washington ($46,080) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, North Dakota moves to the top at $50,259.
What personality type suits a Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Worker?
O*NET scores Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.