Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers

O*NET 49-9098.00 · SOC 49-9098

Helpers--Installation is a solid career choice. Median pay is $40k a year with +5.3% projected growth through 2035 (about as fast as average) and about 13,600 openings a year. AI exposure: Moderate.

Bureau of Labor Statistics projections 2025–2035 · Data updated 2026-07-27

Projected Growth
+5.3%
2025–2035
Median Salary
$40k
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Annual Openings
14k
positions/year
Education Level
Zone 2
Some preparation needed (high school or short training)

What You'd Actually Do

  • →Hand tools and parts to repair workers during jobs
  • →Hold equipment steady while technicians complete installations
  • →Clean work areas and dispose of old parts
  • →Carry supplies and equipment to job sites
  • →Help lift and position heavy appliances or machinery

Education & How to Get In

🎓
Job Zone 2
Some preparation needed (high school or short training)

Helpers--Installation roles typically require a high school diploma or equivalent, with most training happening on the job. This makes it one of the more accessible career paths, you can often start working while earning certifications or completing short-term training programs.

Get Started Learning

Ready to start building skills for a career as a Helpers--Installation? These platforms offer courses you can start today, many with free trials or financial aid.

Coursera
University-backed courses and certificates
Browse courses →
Udemy
Affordable self-paced courses from $12.99
Browse courses →
Skillshare
Creative and professional skill classes
Browse courses →
LinkedIn Learning
Professional development with certificates
Browse courses →

Links open in a new tab. Some may include affiliate partnerships.

Work Environment

Primary Setting

Hands-on, labs, workshops, or field sites

Work Style

Mixed, alternates between solo focused work and collaboration

A Day in the Life

While every role varies by employer and specialization, a typical day as a Helpers--Installation involves a mix of core responsibilities:

MorningHand tools and parts to repair workers during jobs
MiddayHold equipment steady while technicians complete installations
AfternoonClean work areas and dispose of old parts

Personality Fit (RIASEC)

Realistic (Doers)7.0
Conventional (Organizers)4.0
Investigative (Thinkers)2.0
Social (Helpers)1.8
Enterprising (Persuaders)1.6
Artistic (Creators)1.1

Who Thrives as Helpers--Installation?

Based on the interests and work style this role actually demands, these personality types tend to fit it best. Salary and growth tell you if a career is worth entering; personality fit tells you whether you'll still want it in five years.

ISTPThe CraftspersonISTJThe InspectorESTPThe DynamoESTJThe Executive

Not sure which you are? Take the 7-minute quiz →

See Open Helpers--Installation Roles

Browse live openings to get a feel for requirements and pay in your area.

Indeed ↗LinkedIn Jobs ↗ZipRecruiter ↗

Similar Careers

Helpers--Extraction Workers+1.7%Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers+5.7%Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers+0.8%Maintenance and Repair Workers, General+4.2%Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers+3.8%Highway Maintenance Workers+3.4%Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners+7.8%Tire Repairers and Changers+3.4%

Explore More Careers

Best Trades & Skilled Labor Careers →Browse all careers →

Job Outlook

Employment of Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers is projected to grow 5.3% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as average for all occupations.

Will AI Replace This Job?

40/100Moderate, likely AI-complementary
  • ·37% routine cognitive tasks, high automation target
  • ·44% physical tasks, limited by robotics progress
  • ·Industry sector with low automation exposure

Scored from the mix of routine, creative, physical and social tasks the role involves, adjusted for sector and projected growth. An estimate, not a forecast.

Common Questions

How much does a Helpers--Installation make?

The median Helpers--Installation earns $40k a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 wage data. Half earn more than that and half earn less, and pay varies considerably by state, industry and experience.

Will AI replace Helpers--Installation jobs?

Our model puts Helpers--Installation at 40 out of 100 for automation exposure, which is moderate, likely AI-complementary. The main drivers: 37% routine cognitive tasks, high automation target; 44% physical tasks, limited by robotics progress.

Is Helpers--Installation a growing field?

Employment is projected to grow 5.3% between 2025 and 2035, which is about as fast as average. That works out to roughly 13,600 openings a year, counting both new positions and people leaving the occupation.

What degree do you need to be a Helpers--Installation?

Most Helpers--Installation roles need a high school diploma or equivalent, with training happening on the job. A degree is not the usual route in.

How long does it take to become a Helpers--Installation?

Typically under a year, usually a high school diploma plus short training. O*NET classes this role as Job Zone 2 of 5, which describes how much preparation people in it usually have.

Is a Helpers--Installation career right for you?

Your personality, values, and strengths matter as much as the job market. Take the quiz to see your personalized Future-Fit Score for this career and hundreds more.

Take the assessment →

Free to take · Matches $9 · No account required · 7 minutes