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Skilled Trades

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.

Median salary (BLS)

$39,630

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$29k – $56k

Job outlook

+2% (about average)

AI exposure

Plan a path to Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers

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Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers

    Entry / Junior

    $29,310

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers

    Established

    $39,630

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers

    Senior

    $47,760

Key skills

A typical day

  • •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.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Skilled Trades

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.