Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers fall under the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair category in the U.S. occupational classification. Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers earn a median salary of $38,860 per year, ranking in the top 87% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +2.3% job growth through 2034, projected to grow slower than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers earn?

The median annual wage for helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers is $38,860. That puts helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers at #704 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers is +2.3%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 98K positions in 2024 to 101K in 2034, a net change of 3K. Flat growth typically reflects a mature, stable field. Most openings will come from retirements rather than new positions, which can favor candidates with strong networks and willingness to relocate.

What do helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Adjust, connect, or disconnect wiring, piping, tubing, and other parts, using hand or power tools.
2. 2.Clean or lubricate vehicles, machinery, equipment, instruments, tools, work areas, and other objects, using hand tools, power tools, and cleaning equipment.
3. 3.Adjust, maintain, and repair tools, equipment, and machines, and assist more skilled workers with similar tasks.
4. 4.Apply protective materials to equipment, components, and parts to prevent defects and corrosion.
5. 5.Install or replace machinery, equipment, and new or replacement parts and instruments, using hand or power tools.
6. 6.Tend and observe equipment and machinery to verify efficient and safe operation.
7. 7.Hold or supply tools, parts, equipment, and supplies for other workers.
8. 8.Position vehicles, machinery, equipment, physical structures, and other objects for assembly or installation, using hand tools, power tools, and moving equipment.

Top skills for helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair worker?

Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

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• Avionics Technicians
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• Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
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Common questions parents ask about helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers