Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door

Install, repair, and maintain mechanical regulating and controlling devices, such as electric meters, gas regulators, thermostats, safety and flow valves, and other mechanical governors.

Also called: Control Valve Mechanic, Control Valve Technician, Electric Meter Technician, Instrument and Electrical Technician (I and E Technician), Instrument Technician, Measurement Technician, Meter Technician, Service Technician, Valve Technician, Water Plant Maintenance Mechanic, Air Valve Mechanic, Air Valve Repairer, Automation and Controls Specialist, Automation Controls Technician, Certification Technician, Control Panel Technician (Control Panel Tech), Control Specialist, Control Systems Technician (Control Systems Tech), Controls Service Technician (Controls Service Tech), Controls Specialist, Controls Technician, Electric Meter Installer, Electric Meter Repairer, Electric Meter Setter, Electrical Controls Tech (Electrical Controls Technician), Electrical Technician, Electro-Mechanical Technician (E/M Technician), Fare Register Repairer, Field Mechanical Meter Tester, Fire Extinguisher Repairer, Gas Meter Installer, Gas Meter Mechanic, Gas Meter Prover, Gas Pit Worker, Gas Regulator Repairer, Gas Technician, Gas Utility Worker, Industrial Control Technician, Industrial Controls Tech (Industrial Controls Technician), Industrial Gas Servicer, Inside Meter Tester, Instrument and Controls Technician, Instrument Control and Electrical Technician (ICE Technician), Instrumentation Technician, Lubrication Equipment Servicer, Maintenance Controls Tech (Maintenance Controls Technician), Maintenance Technician, Measurement Specialist, Mechanic, Meter Installer, Meter Maintenance Person, Meter Mechanic, Meter Repairer, Meterman, Motor Power Connector, Parking Meter Installer, Parking Meter Mechanic, Parking Meter Servicer, Pipeline Maintenance Technician, Plant Controls Specialist, Pneumatic Tester Mechanic, Pneumatic Tool Repairer, Pneumatic Tube Repairer, Project Controls Specialist, Pyrometer Mechanic, Regulator Mechanic, Residential Gas Heat Technician, Rocket Engine Component Mechanic, Safety Relief Valve Technician, Salvager, Scale Installer, Shut Off Worker, Spray Gun Repairer, Taximeter Repairer, Thermostat Mechanic, Thermostat Repairer, Valve and Regulator Repairer, Valve Grinder, Valve Mechanic, Water Meter Installer, Water Meter Mechanic, Water Valve Mechanic, Water Valve Repairer

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

Record maintenance information, including test results, material usage, and repairs made.
Disassemble and repair mechanical control devices or valves, such as regulators, thermostats, or hydrants, using power tools, hand tools, and cutting torches.
Lubricate wearing surfaces of mechanical parts, using oils or other lubricants.

Skills, machines and equipment

Critical Thinking
Repairing
Active Listening
Speaking
Monitoring
Operations Monitoring
Equipment Maintenance
Troubleshooting
Quality Control Analysis
Judgment and Decision Making
Reading Comprehension
Writing

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (46.98% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

O*NET Job Zone 3: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

54,950–97,120 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 49-9012.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Build troubleshooting, preventive-maintenance, and controls experience; explore senior technician, maintenance planning, or lead responsibilities.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (46.98% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
O*NET Job Zone 3: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door