Career Overview
Repair, adjust, or install all types of electric or gas household appliances, such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, and ovens.
Also Known As
- Appliance Technician (Appliance Tech)
- Repair Technician
- Service Technician (Service Tech)
- Vacuum Repairer
Alternate Job Titles
- Air-Conditioner Window Unit Installer (AC Window Unit Installer)
- Air-Conditioner Window Unit Servicer (AC Window Unit Servicer)
- Appliance Adjuster
- Appliance Advisor
- Appliance Installer
- Appliance Mechanic
- Appliance Repair Mechanic
- Appliance Repair Service Consultant
- Appliance Repair Technician (Appliance Repair Tech)
- Appliance Repairer
- Appliance Service Technician
- Appliance Technician (Appliance Tech)
- Appliance Worker
- Automatic Washer Mechanic
- Certified Appliance Service Technician
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Bill customers for repair work, and collect payment.
- Observe and examine appliances during operation to detect specific malfunctions such as loose parts or leaking fluid.
- Talk to customers or refer to work orders to establish the nature of appliance malfunctions.
- Refer to schematic drawings, product manuals, and troubleshooting guides to diagnose and repair problems.
- Trace electrical circuits, following diagrams, and conduct tests with circuit testers and other equipment to locate shorts and grounds.
- Replace worn and defective parts such as switches, bearings, transmissions, belts, gears, circuit boards, or defective wiring.
- Provide repair cost estimates, and recommend whether appliance repair or replacement is a better choice.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mechanical
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Repairing
- Critical Thinking
- Equipment Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Near Vision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Manual Dexterity
- Finger Dexterity
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Information Ordering
- Extent Flexibility
- Visualization
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
- Integrity
- Perseverance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Independence
- Support
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
- Relationships
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Appliance dollies
- Bearing removers
- Carbon monoxide detectors
- Charging hoses
- Combustible gas detectors
- Condenser brushes
- Cordless drills
- Digital multimeters
- Digital vacuum gauges
- Dual temperature heat guns
- Flat cold chisels
- Folding hand trucks
- Folding utility knives
- Hex key sets
- Hose clamp pliers
Work Environment
- Telephone Conversations
- Contact With Others
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $33,280 |
| Median | $49,410 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $77,800 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 31,940
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $59,810
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $53,990
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $63,760
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $35,270
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $74,690
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.