What Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "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"; "Adjust, connect, or disconnect wiring, piping, tubing, and other parts, using hand or power tools"; "Install or replace machinery, equipment, and new or replacement parts and instruments, 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".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 97,100 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 102,200 in 2035, an increase of 5,100 jobs (+5.3%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 13,600 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 14.0% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $39,630, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $43,230 in New York to $43,377 in New Jersey, a gap of $147 (1.00 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $39,630 and 0 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 7,530, which is 50.2% of the 14,990 counted across them. New York follows with 7,460.
Highest-paying states
New Jersey ($43,377) and New York ($43,230) lead the ranking, while New York ($43,230) and New Jersey ($43,377) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (49-9000) include Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers, Industrial Machinery Mechanics, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers and Maintenance and Repair Workers, General.
Frequently asked questions about Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
What is the national median wage for Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $39,630. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $43,230 to $43,377.
Which state pays Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers the most?
New Jersey, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $43,377. New York is next at $43,230.
What is the job outlook for Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers?
BLS projects employment to grow by 5.3% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 13,600 openings a year.
What education do Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.