Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Helpers—installation, maintenance, and repair workers support a wide range of repair and upkeep activities, offering a hands-on career path for people who like physical, practical work. National employment is 99,000, and projected employment growth of 2.3% suggests modest expansion over time. With an estimated 12,000 annual openings, there are recurring opportunities for new entrants as well as experienced workers seeking a change. The national median annual salary of $38,860 places this career in a solid wage range for roles that typically require only a high school diploma or equivalent. Strong mechanical ability, physical strength and stamina, fine motor skills, and attention to detail are central to success, along with interpersonal and customer service skills when interacting with others on the job. For people who enjoy problem solving and want a career that uses mechanical, math, and basic science knowledge in a practical setting, this occupation offers a straightforward path into the installation, maintenance, and repair world.
Helpers—installation, maintenance, and repair workers earn a national median annual salary of $38,860, providing a baseline view of earnings for this field. Pay varies meaningfully by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, median salaries range from $42,200 in Massachusetts to $46,080 in Washington, with California, New York, and Colorado also above the national median. At the metro level, pay differences are even more pronounced. The San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA metro reports a median salary of $55,100, the highest among the highlighted metros. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA stands at $47,460, while New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ and the Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV metro are in the mid-$40,000s. These figures show that workers willing to target specific metros or states may access higher wage levels within this occupation.
Employment for helpers—installation, maintenance, and repair workers stands at 99,000 nationally, indicating a sizable workforce across the country. Projected employment growth of 2.3% points to expected expansion rather than contraction, suggesting that roles in this occupation should remain available over time. The estimate of 12,000 annual openings is a key metric for job seekers and career changers, as it represents recurring hiring needs from both new positions and turnover in existing ones. While the growth rate is consistent across the listed states and metro areas at 2.3%, local job markets differ in size. For example, some highlighted metros, such as New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ, show thousands of workers, while others have smaller employment bases. Overall, the combination of existing employment, projected growth, and ongoing annual openings indicates a steady flow of opportunities for people entering or advancing within this field.
Location plays a major role in both opportunity and pay for helpers—installation, maintenance, and repair workers. Among states, California ranks highest by opportunity score at 67.38, with a median salary of $44,670 and employment of 9,050. Massachusetts and New York follow with opportunity scores around 66, median salaries just above $42,000 and $43,000, and smaller workforces than California. Colorado and Washington round out the top states list, each with median salaries above $45,000 and opportunity scores in the mid‑50s, indicating solid but somewhat lower overall opportunity scores than the top three states. At the metro level, the San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA area stands out with the highest opportunity score of 77.42 and the highest median salary of $55,100, although employment there is 430, smaller than in some other metros. The New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ metro combines a high opportunity score of 77.27 with the largest listed employment at 5,700. Other metros such as San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA; Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV; and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH offer mid‑$40,000 to upper‑$40,000 median salaries with moderate employment levels and opportunity scores in the low‑to‑upper‑60s.
The typical education requirement for helpers—installation, maintenance, and repair workers is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the occupation accessible to individuals who are completing or have recently completed high school, as well as adults looking to transition into a hands-on career without needing a college degree. Success in this field is strongly tied to skills rather than formal higher education. Key skills include mechanical aptitude, physical strength and stamina, and fine motor skills, all of which support practical, tool‑oriented work. Being detail oriented and strong in problem solving and decision making helps workers handle tasks correctly and address issues as they arise. Science and mathematics knowledge add useful foundational understanding, while customer service and interpersonal skills support working with others on-site. Comfort with computers and information technology is also important, reflecting the role of digital tools and systems in modern maintenance and repair environments.
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