Occupation · SOC 49-3092
Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians
Diagnose, inspect, adjust, repair, or overhaul recreational vehicles including travel trailers. May specialize in maintaining gas, electrical, hydraulic, plumbing, or chassis/towing systems as well as repairing generators, appliances, and interior components. Includes workers who perform customized van conversions.
Median wage
$50,540
$35,480–$76,650
Projected growth
+11.3%
Faster than average
Annual openings
220
per year
Employed (US)
18,710
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
6 mapped
Core skills
RepairingTroubleshootingSpeakingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningComplex Problem SolvingQuality Control AnalysisOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlEquipment SelectionEquipment MaintenanceTime ManagementReading ComprehensionMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingCoordinationActive LearningWritingSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisInstructingPersuasionNegotiationLearning StrategiesManagement of Personnel ResourcesMathematicsTechnology DesignOperations AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesScienceManagement of Financial ResourcesInstallationProgramming
Knowledge areas
MechanicalCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementBuilding and ConstructionProduction and ProcessingEnglish LanguageSales and MarketingEngineering and TechnologyComputers and ElectronicsEducation and TrainingPublic Safety and SecurityTransportationDesignChemistryMathematicsAdministrativeTelecommunicationsPersonnel and Human ResourcesPhysicsPsychologyLaw and GovernmentCommunications and MediaEconomics and AccountingGeographyForeign LanguageSociology and AnthropologyMedicine and DentistryBiologyTherapy and CounselingPhilosophy and TheologyHistory and ArcheologyFood ProductionFine Arts
Technology & tools
Email softwareFacebookInventory tracking softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft WordRV Damage Repair EstimatorSummit Ordering Systems RvInvoiceWriterTopline Software Solutions Topline Service Manager
Representative tasks
Getting InformationInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsHandling and Moving ObjectsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeControlling Machines and ProcessesJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleThinking CreativelyCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentScheduling Work and ActivitiesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationProcessing InformationTraining and Teaching OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersAnalyzing Data or InformationDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentCoaching and Developing OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsSelling or Influencing OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationAssisting and Caring for OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesWorking with ComputersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesMonitoring and Controlling Resources
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Work orders and customer-reported issues — read and interpret under direct supervision to identify the scope of RV repair tasks in a dealership service bay.Basic hand tools and test instruments — select and use under technician guidance to assist with routine RV inspections on the service floor.Exterior and interior RV components — visually inspect for obvious damage or wear following a structured checklist provided by a lead technician.Electrical shore-power connections — assist in connecting RVs to outside power sources and observe switch activation to test appliance and lighting operation.Caulking compounds and basic pipe fittings — apply under supervision to seal minor plumbing leaks on residential-style RV water systems.Ohmmeters and continuity testers — use under direction to identify frayed wiring or broken connections in accessible RV electrical panels.Furnace and air conditioning components — recognize and name major parts while assisting a senior technician with climate-system diagnostics.Service bay safety protocols — follow consistently when handling propane, electrical, and chemical materials during entry-level RV repair tasks.Inventory management software — enter parts usage data and retrieve stock information under supervision to support shop workflow.Customers and service writers — listen actively and relay vehicle complaint information accurately to supervising technicians in a retail RV service environment.
developing
RV plumbing systems — diagnose and repair leaks independently by replacing pipes and applying caulking compound using pipe wrenches on standard coach models.Propane gas lines — inspect, pressure-test, and repair with appropriate fittings and caulking compounds following manufacturer specifications in a service shop setting.Furnace and rooftop air conditioning units — perform routine diagnostic checks and carry out common repairs with reduced oversight in a mid-volume RV dealership.Frayed or mis-wired circuits — locate and correct using ohmmeters, soldering irons, and hand tools on 12-volt and 120-volt RV electrical systems.Repaired systems and components — test operation after completing adjustments to verify completeness of work before returning units to customers.Work orders — document labor, parts, and findings accurately using shop management or point-of-sale software to maintain service records.Familiar repair scenarios — apply systematic troubleshooting steps to identify root causes in RV mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems without constant direction.Customer concerns — confer with owners and interpret their descriptions to prioritize and plan repair sequences in a busy service environment.Equipment condition — monitor operational parameters during post-repair functional tests to confirm appliances, generators, and slide mechanisms perform within specification.Commonly replaced RV parts — select appropriate replacement components by cross-referencing parts catalogs and supplier databases to ensure compatibility.
proficient
Complex RV electrical faults — diagnose and resolve autonomously, including intermittent short circuits and multi-zone control failures, across diverse coach brands and model years.HVAC systems — perform full overhaul of both furnace and air conditioning units, including component replacement and refrigerant handling, on Class A, B, and C motorhomes without supervision.Non-routine plumbing failures — evaluate and repair water pump, grey-water, and black-water system issues using copper and plastic pipe techniques adapted to confined RV underbelly spaces.Pre-delivery inspections — conduct thorough end-to-end RV assessments, identifying mechanical, structural, and systems deficiencies and prescribing corrective actions across the full vehicle scope.Repair quality — perform multi-point quality control analysis after completing jobs to ensure all systems meet manufacturer tolerances and customer expectations before vehicle release.Propane distribution and safety systems — inspect, diagnose, and certify repairs on LP regulator assemblies, solenoid valves, and appliance connections in compliance with NFPA 1192 standards.Unusual or compound problems — apply critical thinking and deductive reasoning to solve multi-system failures where electrical, plumbing, and structural issues interact in a single repair event.Technical service bulletins and wiring diagrams — read, interpret, and apply manufacturer documentation independently to guide accurate diagnosis and repair of advanced RV system issues.Repair scope and cost — exercise sound judgment to develop accurate estimates and communicate technical findings clearly to service managers and customers in a dealership setting.Apprentice technicians — provide on-the-job guidance during assigned repairs, modeling correct diagnostic technique and safe tool use in the service bay.
advanced
Shop-wide diagnostic standards and repair workflows — develop and implement to ensure consistent, high-quality outcomes across all technician skill levels in a multi-bay RV service department.Technician team capability — assess individual skill gaps and design targeted on-the-job training plans that accelerate progression from emerging to proficient within the dealership.Complex warranty and liability determinations — lead evaluation of disputed repairs, applying deep mechanical and regulatory knowledge to protect the business and satisfy customer obligations.Service department efficiency metrics — monitor and analyze productivity, come-back rates, and parts costs using spreadsheet and management software to drive continuous operational improvement.Vendor and parts supplier relationships — manage strategically to ensure parts availability, negotiate pricing, and align inventory levels with seasonal RV service demand.Safety and compliance programs — establish and enforce shop standards for propane handling, electrical safety, and hazardous materials in alignment with OSHA and industry regulations.Escalated customer situations — resolve with authority and professionalism, applying service orientation and oral communication skills to restore trust and retain long-term client relationships.New RV technology adoption — evaluate emerging systems such as lithium battery management, solar integration, and advanced slide controllers, and lead technician upskilling initiatives accordingly.Multi-department coordination — collaborate with sales, parts, and finance teams to align service capacity with dealership revenue goals and customer delivery timelines.Organizational knowledge transfer — document best-practice repair procedures, diagnostic decision trees, and training materials to build institutional capability and reduce reliance on individual expertise.
Also known as
19 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
ATV Tech (All-Terrain Vehicle Technician)Certified RV Technician (Certified Recreational Vehicle Technician)Custom Van ConverterGlobal Vehicle Technician (Global Vehicle Tech)Hitch Technician (Hitch Tech)Mobile Service RV Technician (Mobile Service Recreational Vehicle Technician)Mobile Van Technician (Mobile Van Tech)Motor Home Technician (Motor Home Tech)Repair Technician (Repair Tech)RV Body Mechanic (Recreational Vehicle Body Mechanic)RV Mechanic (Recreational Vehicle Mechanic)RV Repair Technician (Recreational Vehicle Repair Technician)RV Repairer (Recreational Vehicle Repairer)RV Service Technician (Recreational Vehicle Service Technician)RV Servicer (Recreational Vehicle Servicer)RV Tech (Recreational Vehicle Technician)RVDA Master Certified RV Technician (Recreational Vehicle Dealer Association Master Certified Recreational Vehicle Technician)Service Technician (Service Tech)Vehicle Technician (Vehicle Tech)