An electric motor and power tool repairer diagnoses and fixes motors, generators, and tools used across factories, construction sites, and service shops. It is hands-on, in demand, and you can start with a certificate. Here is what the work involves, what it takes, and how to get in.
Pathly builds you a free, personalized roadmap and helps your counselor champion you along the way.
You identify what is wrong with electric motors, power tools, and related equipment by testing them and examining their parts. You repair and maintain mechanical and electronic components, replacing worn bearings, rewinding coils, or fixing circuit boards. You monitor equipment during testing to catch problems. You communicate with supervisors and customers about what you find and what repairs cost. The work requires reading technical manuals, following safety procedures, and staying current with new equipment designs.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers earn a median of $56,210 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is steady. Employment is projected to grow 3 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as average for all occupations, with about 1,700 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most positions require a certificate in electric motor repair, industrial maintenance, or a related field. You will study mechanical systems, electrical theory, and hands-on repair techniques. Some people start as helpers or apprentices while earning their credential. Job Zone 3 preparation means you need medium-level training and experience. Look for certificate programs at community colleges or trade schools, then apply to manufacturers, repair shops, or maintenance departments. Your counselor can help you find programs in your area.
Certificate programs are the most direct route into this field. If you are comparing program lengths, costs, or specializations, Pathly can map the electric motor, power tool, and related repairer path that fits you and work through the options with your counselor to find the best fit for your timeline and goals.
You do not need a license to work as an electric motor, power tool, and related repairer, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You are hands-on and practical, drawn to understanding how things work and fixing them when they break. You think critically, listen carefully, and communicate clearly with the people around you.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).