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

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair · SOC 49-9098 · O*NET 49-9098.00

Median salary
$39,630
Rank #731 of ~830 BLS occupations
10-year growth
+5.3%
2025–2035, average
Employment
97K
BLS estimate
Projected 2034
102K
BLS projection

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 $39,630 per year, ranking in the top 89% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +5.3% job growth through 2035, projected to grow at roughly 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 $39,630. That puts helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers at #731 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 +5.3%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 97K positions in 2024 to 102K in 2034, a net change of 5K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

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

How parents help teens explore careers like this

Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.

Common questions parents ask about helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers

What is the median salary for helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers?

The median annual salary for helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers is $39,630 according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

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

BLS projects +5.3% growth for helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers from 2025 through 2035, which is average growth projected to grow at roughly the US average.

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

The typical entry path requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.

What careers are similar to helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers?

Related occupations within the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.

Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 release.