Occupation · SOC 49-9031
Home Appliance Repairers
Repair, adjust, or install all types of electric or gas household appliances, such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, and ovens.
Median wage
$49,410
$33,280–$77,800
Projected growth
+2.7%
Slower than average
Annual openings
100
per year
Employed (US)
31,940
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
2 mapped
Core skills
RepairingCritical ThinkingTroubleshootingEquipment MaintenanceSpeakingQuality Control AnalysisOperations MonitoringActive ListeningReading ComprehensionComplex Problem SolvingTime ManagementService OrientationJudgment and Decision MakingInstallationEquipment SelectionOperation and ControlMonitoringActive LearningWritingSocial PerceptivenessPersuasionCoordinationSystems AnalysisManagement of Personnel ResourcesSystems EvaluationNegotiationInstructingMathematicsManagement of Material ResourcesLearning StrategiesManagement of Financial ResourcesTechnology DesignOperations AnalysisScienceProgramming
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceMechanicalEnglish LanguageAdministration and ManagementAdministrativeComputers and ElectronicsSales and MarketingEngineering and TechnologyMathematicsEducation and TrainingEconomics and AccountingTransportationPersonnel and Human ResourcesPsychologyGeographyPhysicsDesignProduction and ProcessingPublic Safety and SecurityChemistryForeign LanguageTelecommunicationsLaw and GovernmentCommunications and MediaBuilding and ConstructionSociology and AnthropologyBiologyFood ProductionTherapy and CounselingPhilosophy and TheologyMedicine and DentistryHistory and ArcheologyFine Arts
Technology & tools
Intac International WintacMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordParts database softwareRazorSyncRoute mapping softwareServiceMaxWeb browser softwaredESCO ESC
Representative tasks
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicGetting InformationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeHandling and Moving ObjectsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProcessing InformationDocumenting/Recording InformationAnalyzing Data or InformationMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsTraining and Teaching OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentScheduling Work and ActivitiesJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationWorking with ComputersEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsThinking CreativelySelling or Influencing OthersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesDeveloping and Building TeamsCoaching and Developing OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesPerforming Administrative ActivitiesGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersControlling Machines and ProcessesDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentStaffing Organizational Units
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Customer malfunctions descriptions — gather and record under direct supervision during initial service calls at residential job sites.Work orders — read and interpret basic fields to identify the assigned appliance type and reported problem in a repair shop setting.Common hand tools and screwdrivers — use to disassemble household appliances under technician guidance in a workshop environment.Worn or broken parts such as belts and switches — identify visually by comparing to product manuals during supervised bench repair.Appliances in operation — observe for obvious signs of malfunction such as unusual noise, leaking fluid, or excessive vibration under direction.Basic circuit testers — operate under supervision to detect the presence of voltage on simple appliance wiring circuits.Schematic drawings and product manuals — locate and retrieve the correct document for a given appliance model in a repair facility.Replacement parts — assist in selecting and staging components from inventory based on a supervising technician's parts list.Repair invoices — complete basic billing fields and process customer payment using office suite or point-of-sale software under guidance.Personal protective equipment and safe lifting practices — follow established protocols when handling appliances at customer homes or in a shop.
developing
Customer appliance complaints — listen actively and ask clarifying questions to establish malfunction nature without supervisor assistance on service calls.Troubleshooting guides and schematic diagrams — reference independently to diagnose common appliance faults such as heating element failures in residential settings.Electrical circuits — trace using wiring diagrams and circuit testers to locate shorts, grounds, and open circuits on standard household appliances.Defective components including switches, bearings, and circuit boards — replace efficiently following manufacturer specifications in the field or shop.Disassembly and reassembly sequences — execute correctly and efficiently for a range of appliance types including washers, dryers, and refrigerators.Repair cost estimates — calculate parts and labor costs and present to customers with a clear recommendation on repair versus replacement.Route navigation software — use to plan and sequence daily service call routes to meet scheduled appointment windows across a service territory.Equipment maintenance schedules — follow documented intervals to calibrate and clean test instruments used in daily appliance diagnosis.Repair records — log work performed, parts used, and customer payment into database or spreadsheet software after each completed job.Operational test procedures — run appliances through full cycles after repair to verify correct function before returning to customer use.
proficient
Complex or intermittent appliance malfunctions — diagnose autonomously using advanced troubleshooting logic and electronic test equipment across a full range of residential and light-commercial appliances.Non-routine electrical faults including failed control boards and wiring harness damage — isolate and repair independently using schematics and component-level testing.Repair versus replacement decisions — evaluate and communicate to customers with confidence, weighing parts cost, appliance age, energy efficiency, and safety factors.Unfamiliar appliance models — diagnose effectively by interpreting manufacturer technical bulletins, online service databases, and internet browser resources without peer guidance.Customer service interactions — manage difficult or dissatisfied customers with professionalism, resolving disputes while preserving business relationships during in-home visits.Quality control checks — apply structured inspection criteria to completed repairs, identifying overlooked defects before closing out work orders.Time and workload — manage daily service schedule independently, adjusting priorities when emergency calls or parts delays arise in a field service environment.Inventory discrepancies and parts sourcing challenges — resolve by sourcing alternative suppliers or engineering approved workarounds within safety and warranty guidelines.Electronic mail and office suite software — use to correspond with parts vendors, submit warranty claims, and maintain service documentation without administrative support.Junior technicians — provide on-the-job guidance on diagnosis procedures and safe disassembly techniques during shared service calls.
advanced
Repair standards and quality benchmarks — establish and enforce across a team of technicians to ensure consistent service outcomes across all customer accounts.Training programs for new and developing technicians — design and deliver covering appliance diagnosis, electrical safety, and customer communication in a vocational or on-the-job setting.Service territory performance metrics — analyze using spreadsheet and database software to identify efficiency gaps and implement corrective action plans.Vendor and parts supplier relationships — manage at an organizational level, negotiating pricing, lead times, and warranty terms to support business profitability.Customer satisfaction and complaint escalations — resolve at a senior level, setting service recovery policies that protect company reputation and promote repeat business.New appliance technologies and tool requirements — evaluate and recommend adoption decisions, selecting equipment that equips the team for emerging product lines.Safety compliance and regulatory requirements — oversee across all field operations, ensuring technicians adhere to electrical codes and handling regulations at every job site.Service pricing models and cost estimation frameworks — develop and maintain to ensure accurate quoting, margin protection, and competitive positioning in the local market.Scheduling and dispatch systems — configure and optimize to maximize technician utilization and on-time appointment performance across multiple service routes.Business development opportunities — identify by analyzing service call data and customer feedback, recommending service expansions or preventive maintenance offerings to ownership.
Also known as
70 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Air-Conditioner Window Unit Installer (AC Window Unit Installer)Air-Conditioner Window Unit Servicer (AC Window Unit Servicer)Appliance AdjusterAppliance AdvisorAppliance InstallerAppliance MechanicAppliance Repair MechanicAppliance Repair Service ConsultantAppliance Repair Technician (Appliance Repair Tech)Appliance RepairerAppliance Service TechnicianAppliance Technician (Appliance Tech)Appliance WorkerAutomatic Washer MechanicCertified Appliance Service TechnicianCertified Appliance Technician (CAT)Cooking Appliance Repair TechnicianElectric Appliance InstallerElectric Razor MechanicElectric Shaver MechanicElectric Stove InstallerElectric Stove MechanicElectric Tool RepairerElectrical Appliance MechanicElectrical Appliance RepairerElectrical Appliance ServicerElectrical Mechanical TechnicianField Service RepresentativeGas Appliance AdjusterGas Appliance InstallerGas Appliance MechanicGas Appliance RepairerGas Appliance ServicerGas TechnicianHandymanHome Appliance Dryer and Washer MechanicHome Appliance InstallerHome Appliance TechnicianHome Appliance Washing Machine MechanicHome Appliances Mechanic