Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers

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.

Also called: 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, Mechanic's Assistant, Technician's Helper, Air Conditioner Installer Helper (AC Installer Helper), Air Conditioner Installer Servicer Helper (AC Installer Servicer Helper), Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic Helper, Armature Winder Repair Helper, Automobile Body Repairer Helper, Automobile Mechanic Helper, Automotive Electrical Helper, Blacksmith Assistant, Blacksmith Helper, Cable Splicer Helper, Car Mechanic Helper, Car Repairer Helper, Compressed Gas Equipment Service Mechanic Helper, Construction Equipment Mechanic Helper, Cooper Helper, Diesel Mechanic Helper, Diver Helper, Electrical Assistant, Elevator Constructor Helper, Elevator Repairer Helper, Environmental Control System Installer Servicer Helper, Factory Maintenance Repairer Helper, Fire Equipment Inspector Helper, Furnace Mechanic Helper, Garage Helper, Gas Appliance Servicer Helper, Gas Fitter Helper, Gas Leak Inspector Helper, Gas Main Fitter Helper, Gas Meter Installer Helper, Gas Regulator Repairer Helper, Heat Service Planner, Heating and Air Conditioning Installer Helper (Heating and AC Installer Servicer Helper), Hot Air Furnace Installer Helper, Hot Air Furnace Repairer Helper, Hydroelectric Machinery Mechanic Helper, Industrial Gas Service Helper, Industrial Gas Servicer Helper, Industrial Maintenance Repairer Helper, Installation Helper, Installation Service Assistant, Instrument Repairer Helper, Instrument Technician Helper (Instrument Tech Helper), Laboratory Helper (Lab Helper), Light Service Planner, Locksmith Helper, Logging Equipment Mechanic's Helper, Machinist Helper, Maintenance Apprentice, Maintenance Assistant, Maintenance Clerk, Maintenance Mechanic Helper, Maintenance Person, Maintenance Professional, Meter Repairer Helper, Mill Maintenance Repairer Helper, Millwright Helper, Motorboat Mechanic Helper, Oil Burner Servicer and Installer Helper, Ordnance Artificer Helper, Over Hauler Helper, Overhauler Helper, Paint Preparer, Pinsetter Mechanic Helper, Powerhouse Mechanic Helper, Protective Signal Installer Helper, Protective Signal Repairer Helper, Pump Servicer Helper, Refrigeration Mechanic Helper, Repair Armature Winder Helper, Repair Service Assistant, Repairer Helper, Rigger Helper, Rigging Helper, Salvager Helper, Service Station Helper, Sewing Machine Repairer Helper, Signal Maintainer Helper, Solar Energy System Installer Helper, Spray Gun Repairer Helper, Street Light Repairer Helper, Street Light Servicer Helper, Streetcar Repairer Helper, Television Installer Helper, Tractor Mechanic Helper, Veneer Clipper Helper, Wash Oil Pump Operator Helper, Washer Engineer Helper, Water and Gas Helper, Wet End Helper, Window Unit Air Conditioner Installer Helper (Window Unit AC Installer Helper)

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

What the worker does

Install or replace machinery, equipment, and new or replacement parts and instruments, using hand or power tools.
Examine and test machinery, equipment, components, and parts for defects to ensure proper functioning.
Tend and observe equipment and machinery to verify efficient and safe operation.
Adjust, connect, or disconnect wiring, piping, tubing, and other parts, 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.
Hold or supply tools, parts, equipment, and supplies for other workers.
Diagnose electrical problems and install and rewire electrical components.
Disassemble broken or defective equipment to facilitate repair and reassemble equipment when repairs are complete.
Position vehicles, machinery, equipment, physical structures, and other objects for assembly or installation, using hand tools, power tools, and moving equipment.
Transfer tools, parts, equipment, and supplies to and from work stations and other areas.

Skills, machines and equipment

Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Operations Monitoring
Operation and Control
Equipment Maintenance
Troubleshooting
Repairing
Speaking
Coordination
Quality Control Analysis
Judgment and Decision Making

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (31.74% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. 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

34,910–46,890 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 49-9098.

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) (31.74% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. 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.

Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers