Helpers in installation, maintenance, and repair support skilled trades workers on job sites. You'll inspect equipment, assist with repairs, and solve problems hands-on. It's in-demand work that starts with a high school education and no four-year degree required.
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You assist experienced technicians and tradespeople by inspecting equipment, structures, and materials for damage or wear. You help repair and maintain mechanical systems, perform general physical tasks, and communicate with supervisors and team members about progress and problems. Your days involve getting information from blueprints and manuals, making decisions about next steps, and keeping work areas safe and organized. You might work on HVAC systems, electrical equipment, plumbing, or machinery depending on your employer. The work is hands-on and requires attention to detail and safety protocols.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers earn a median of $39,630 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is modest. Employment is projected to grow 2 percent from 2024 to 2034, little or no change for all occupations, with about 11,800 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most positions require a high school diploma or equivalent. You'll learn on the job under the supervision of experienced workers, picking up mechanical knowledge and building and construction skills as you go. Some employers offer formal apprenticeships or training programs that combine classroom instruction with paid work experience. You'll develop critical thinking and active listening skills by working closely with your team. Starting as a helper is a common entry point into skilled trades, and many helpers advance to become fully certified technicians or specialists in their field.
Most people enter this field through on-the-job training, apprenticeships, or direct hire into a helper role. If you're exploring whether this path fits your timeline and interests, Pathly can map the helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair worker path that fits you with your counselor to map out the steps that work for you.
You do not need a license to work as a helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair worker, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You're drawn to hands-on, practical work and solving real problems. You like working with tools and equipment, and you prefer learning by doing rather than sitting in a classroom all day.
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).