Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers

Low pay & highrisk
High Risk
Low High

Explore safer careers (5)

Lower estimated automation risk

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Why it fits

Uses machinery exposure, tool handling, repair assistance, lubrication, and troubleshooting observation with apprenticeship depth.

Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
38% automation risk | Low Risk
Pays better More jobs
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Why it fits

Directly builds on repair assistance, tools, materials, cleanup, parts replacement, and work-order support.

Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
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Why it fits

Fits helpers exposed to power tools, motors, parts replacement, testing, and bench repair who add training.

Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
41% automation risk | Moderate Risk
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Why it fits

Applies parts, tools, valves, controls, and repair-site support with focused technical training.

Maintenance Workers, Machinery
53% automation risk | Moderate Risk
Pays better
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Why it fits

Reuses machine cleaning, tool handling, parts staging, basic repair support, and preventive maintenance habits.

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Occupation snapshot

What does this snowflake show?
The Snowflake is a visual summary of the five badges: Automation Risk (calculated), Risk (polled), Growth, Wages and Volume. It gives you an instant snapshot of an occupations profile. The colour of the Snowflake relates to its size. The better the occupation scores in relation to others, the larger and greener the Snowflake becomes.
JOB SCORE
3.7/10
What's this?
Job Score (higher is better):

We rate jobs using four factors. These are:

- Chance of being automated
- Job growth
- Wages
- Volume of available positions

These are some key things to think about when job hunting.

Risk & user votes

Calculated automation risk

72% (High Risk)

High Risk (61-80%): This occupation shows a significant risk of end-to-end replacement by automation. Many core parts of the role may be structured, repeatable, software-driven, or physically predictable enough for AI, machines, or robotic systems to take over. If you work in this area, it may be worth exploring safer related careers or moving towards more human-centred responsibilities.

More information on what this score is, and how it is calculated is available here.

Human strengths important in this job

These are human abilities and work contexts that are important in this occupation. They may help explain why parts of the role are harder to replace end-to-end, but they are not the only inputs into the automation score.

Decision-making and problem solving

Quite important
Why this matters
Analyze information, weigh tradeoffs, and choose the best solution—especially when situations are ambiguous, high-stakes, or have real-world consequences.
Jobs that also use this strength

What users think

Based on 45 votes

47% chance of full automation within the next two decades

Our visitors have voted they are unsure if this occupation will be automated. However, the automation risk level we have generated suggests a much higher chance of automation: 72% chance of automation.

What do you think the risk of automation is?

What is the likelihood that Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers will be replaced by robots or artificial intelligence within the next 20 years?

View sentiment trend

Pay & outlook

Wages

Very low paid relative to other professions

In 2024, the median annual wage for Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers was $38,860 ($19 per hour).

The median annual wage for Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers was 21.5% lower than the national median annual wage, which stood at $49,500.

View wage trend

Wages over time

* Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Growth

Moderate growth relative to other professions

The number of 'Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers' job openings is expected to rise 2.3% by 2034

View employment trend

Total employment, and estimated job openings

* Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the period between 2023 and 2033
Updated projections are due 09-2025.

Volume

Moderate range of job opportunities compared to other professions

As of 2024 there were 97,540 people employed as 'Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers' within the United States.

This represents around 0.06% of the employed workforce across the country

Put another way, around 1 in 1 thousand people are employed as 'Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers'.

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What people are saying (1)

Ben Brown (No chance)
14 Nov 2019 05:30
These are jobs that people go to in the field to replace parts. You can't automate that.
Leave a reply about this occupation
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Job description

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.

O*NET-SOC code: 49-9098.00