Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers Salary

The median helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers salary in the United States is $39,630 per year ($19.05/hour). Salaries range from $29,310 at the entry level to $55,890+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 95,580 helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 2.3% through 2034.

Last updated: June 2026 Β· Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Median Salary
$39,630
per year
Hourly Rate
$19.05
per hour
Employment
95,580
jobs in the U.S.

Salary Distribution

10th percentile
$29,310
25th percentile
$34,910
Median
$39,630
75th percentile
$46,890
90th percentile
$55,890

Job Growth (2024-2034)

+2.3%
As fast as average

Annual Openings

11,800
jobs/year (growth + replacements)

Education Required

High school diploma or equivalent

Training Needed

Short-term on-the-job training

Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers Career Guide

Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workerss.

IMR helpers assist journeymen and technicians on HVAC installs, appliance repair, industrial maintenance, elevator installation, and general facilities work. The role is a paid entry point into whichever specialty the shop focuses on. Entry $32-46k (~$15-22/hr); after a year and shop-specific training, $40-56k; specialty-track helpers on HVAC, elevator, or industrial maintenance can reach $52-70k before advancing to full technician. Journeyman techs in these specialties earn $62-115k+.

Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For

Jobsite and shop safety
OSHA 10 minimum; lockout/tagout awareness; PPE for the specialty (arc-flash for electrical maintenance, fall protection for HVAC rooftops, respirators for refrigerant work).
Basic mechanical aptitude
Reading a tape measure, using a torque wrench, identifying fasteners and standard hardware, and understanding the physical logic of how a machine is put together.
Hand and power tools
Complete socket sets, screwdrivers, adjustable wrenches, tin snips (HVAC), tubing cutters and flaring tools (refrigeration), multimeter, drill and impact.
Blueprint and schematic reading (basic)
Locating equipment on floor plans, tracing single-line and ladder-logic schematics well enough to hand a journeyman the right tool for the next step.
Materials handling and staging
Loading and offloading equipment (rooftop units, appliances, motors), staging parts by install phase, keeping the truck stocked with fittings and consumables.
Basic diagnostics
Reading voltage and continuity on a multimeter, identifying tripped breakers and blown fuses, checking for airflow and refrigerant symptoms β€” enough to hand the journeyman a starting hypothesis.
Customer-facing manners (service work)
Shoe covers, tarp on the floor, calm voice, phone away β€” the technician earns the review and referrals; the helper protects them by acting the part.

How to Become a Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers

  1. 1
    Finish high school with mechanical shop or ROTC/JROTC exposure if possible
    Employers weight any hands-on background heavily. Vocational programs (Boces, county tech) are the strongest single accelerator.
  2. 2
    Complete OSHA 10 and any specialty-relevant safety training
    EPA 608 (universal) if you're going HVAC/refrigeration. Forklift and boom lift for industrial. First aid/CPR for service work in occupied buildings.
  3. 3
    Pick a specialty and land a helper role at $32-46k
    HVAC install crews, appliance repair shops, elevator installers (IUEC), industrial maintenance departments at manufacturers, or facilities departments at hospitals and universities.
  4. 4
    Complete a specialty apprenticeship or manufacturer training
    HVAC: NATE and manufacturer certifications. Elevator: IUEC 4-year apprenticeship. Industrial: NCCER Industrial Maintenance and PMMI Mechatronics. Appliance: manufacturer authorized service certifications.
  5. 5
    Advance to full technician at 2-4 years
    HVAC service tech $56-92k Β· Elevator mechanic (union) $95-165k Β· Industrial maintenance tech $62-98k Β· Appliance repair $52-82k. From there, foreman, service manager, or business owner tracks open up.

Career Progression

IMR Helper
0-2 yrs$32-46k ($15-22/hr)
  • β€’Support one or two journeymen or techs
  • β€’Fetch parts, tools, and staging
  • β€’Complete OSHA 10 and specialty pre-reqs
  • β€’Learn the shop's core equipment lines
Next: Specialty apprentice or Junior Tech at 6-24 months.
Specialty Apprentice / Junior Tech
1-4 yrs$42-68k stepping up with skill
  • β€’Own basic installs and PMs under supervision
  • β€’Pass EPA 608, forklift, or specialty certs
  • β€’Diagnose common failures independently
  • β€’Learn one manufacturer platform deeply
Next: Full Technician at 3-5 years.
Full Technician / Journeyman
4-10 yrs$56-115k depending on specialty and market
  • β€’Own service calls, diagnostics, and repairs independently
  • β€’Handle after-hours or on-call rotation
  • β€’Mentor helpers and junior techs
  • β€’Build customer relationships and referrals
Next: Lead Tech / Service Manager at 8-14 years.
Lead / Service Manager / Owner
10+ yrs$85-165k+ salaried; owner-operators $120-300k
  • β€’Manage a team of 4-15 techs
  • β€’Own dispatch, scheduling, and P&L for the service line
  • β€’Bid larger contracts and PM agreements
  • β€’Own permits, licensing, and quality
Next: Regional service director or independent business owner.

Interview Questions & Answers

5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 13 total plus resume bullets for every level.

Q1. Walk me through your last day on a service call.technical
Structure it as arrival at the shop, truck inventory check, first call routing, arrival at the customer, greeting and problem intake, diagnosis with the tech, part fetch, repair, re-test, customer signoff, and truck restock. Service managers screen for helpers who understand that the day is a rhythm of small, repeatable steps.
Q2. You show up at a house and the customer is upset about a prior visit. What do you do?situational
Let the tech lead the conversation. Your job is to be calm, respectful, and not defensive. Never argue on the customer's doorstep. If the customer vents at you specifically, listen without pushback and route them back to the tech or service manager. Customers who feel heard usually re-engage; the ones who feel dismissed leave one-star reviews.
Q3. How do you handle heavy equipment installs alone when the tech is running late?situational
Do not lift what you can't safely handle alone. Rooftop HVAC units, elevator components, and industrial motors have gotten helpers hurt or killed on solo installs. Call the tech, call dispatch, and wait for a second body. Being ten minutes late on a job is fine; a back injury or a dropped unit is career-ending.
Q4. Which specialty are you targeting and why?closer
Name it β€” HVAC service, elevator install, industrial maintenance, appliance repair β€” and explain what drew you. Pay, working conditions, and career ladder are all legitimate answers. Service managers screen for helpers who have picked a direction, because they invest training in helpers who will stick.
Q5. What's your comfort with heights, tight spaces, and dirty work?situational
Answer honestly. IMR helpers get put on rooftops, in crawlspaces, and in mechanical rooms with heat, dust, and grease. If you have a real limitation, say it before you're hired β€” service managers respect honesty over the surprise on day three.

Resume Template β€” IMR Helper (0-2 yrs)

Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.

IMR Helper (0-2 yrs)
  • β–ΈOne year on a residential HVAC install crew; 40+ single-family AC and heat-pump installs; comfortable with copper braze, evacuation, and startup checklists.
  • β–ΈOSHA 10, EPA 608 Universal, and forklift-certified.
  • β–ΈOwn tool kit: gauges, tubing cutter, flaring tool, adjustables, multimeter, torque wrench set.
  • β–ΈClean driving record; 100% attendance in the last 12 months; strong customer reviews on install jobs.

What Gets You Rejected

  • βœ—Poor time management β€” service work runs on the clock.
  • βœ—Uncomfortable with customer interaction in occupied homes and businesses.
  • βœ—No physical fitness for lift-heavy or ladder-heavy work.
  • βœ—Won't wear the shoe covers, drop cloths, or brand uniform in customer homes.
  • βœ—Skips PPE β€” no safety glasses, gloves, or respirator when the job calls for it.
  • βœ—Doesn't restock the truck β€” chronic parts shortages are the #1 helper complaint from techs.

Salary Negotiation Levers

  • βœ“EPA 608 Universal and NATE certifications each add $1-3/hr in HVAC specialty.
  • βœ“Elevator (IUEC) apprenticeship is the highest-paying specialty in the IMR umbrella β€” $95-165k journeyman.
  • βœ“On-call and after-hours rotations pay a premium; ask for the rate and rotation cadence up front.
  • βœ“Sign-on bonuses of $2-8k are common at growing HVAC and elevator companies.
  • βœ“Truck and tools β€” employer-provided truck, phone, and tool allowance is worth $8-15k a year.
  • βœ“Metro cost-of-living adjustments matter β€” SF, NYC, Seattle, DC IMR rates are 30-50% above national helper averages.
  • βœ“Bilingual Spanish/English is worth $2-4/hr in Southwest and Southeast markets on service and install work.

Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers Resume Review β€” $29

Personalized resume review from someone who has hired helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workerss. Purchase, email your resume to support@weblabra.com, and receive detailed written feedback within 7 days.

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  • βœ“ Missing skills / keywords flagged
  • βœ“ Formatting + ATS-readability feedback
  • βœ“ 7-day turnaround, 100% refund if we miss it

Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers Career Kit β€” $19

  • βœ“ All 13 interview questions with expert answers
  • βœ“ 6 real questions aggregated from Glassdoor, Blind, Reddit, LinkedIn
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  • βœ“ Resume bullets for every level of the career ladder
  • βœ“ 30–60–90 day plan for your first role
  • βœ“ Cover letter templates specific to this occupation
  • βœ“ Detailed salary negotiation script
  • βœ“ Ranked list of certifications with cost + ROI
  • βœ“ Downloadable PDF for offline access
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Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers Salary by State

Best Cities (cost-adjusted) β†’

Salary Map β€” Click a state for details

$31K
$55Kβ–  No data

Top Paying States

District of Columbia
$55K
+38%
Hawaii
$46K
+17%
Washington
$46K
+16%
New Hampshire
$46K
+15%
Alaska
$46K
+15%
Colorado
$46K
+15%
Arizona
$46K
+15%
Rhode Island
$45K
+14%
Minnesota
$45K
+13%
North Dakota
$45K
+13%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
StateMedianvs. National
District of Columbia$54,860+38.4%
Hawaii$46,320+16.9%
Washington$46,080+16.3%
New Hampshire$45,760+15.5%
Alaska$45,740+15.4%
Colorado$45,610+15.1%
Arizona$45,560+15.0%
Rhode Island$45,240+14.2%
Minnesota$44,950+13.4%
North Dakota$44,710+12.8%
1–10 of 50

Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers Salary by Metro Area

Metro AreaMedianvs. National
Wheeling, WV-OH$64,620+63.1%
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$55,100+39.0%
Twin Falls, ID$51,490+29.9%
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA$51,000+28.7%
Longview-Kelso, WA$50,230+26.7%
Madison, WI$50,170+26.6%
Napa, CA$50,150+26.5%
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO$48,580+22.6%
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA$48,000+21.1%
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$47,460+19.8%
1–10 of 309
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers earning $39,630/year would need 1504 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 1615 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries β†’
πŸ“ˆ See how helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers salary trend (2011–2024) β†’