Occupation · SOC 49-9099
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other
All installation, maintenance, and repair workers not listed separately.
Median wage
$48,640
$35,270–$77,150
Projected growth
+2.4%
Slower than average
Annual openings
540
per year
Employed (US)
183,690
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
112 mapped
Core skills
RepairingTroubleshootingCritical ThinkingEquipment MaintenanceOperations MonitoringQuality Control AnalysisActive ListeningComplex Problem Solving
Knowledge areas
MechanicalCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageComputers and ElectronicsEngineering and Technology
Technology & tools
Computer aided design CAD softwareData base user interface and query softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail software
Representative tasks
Monitor and adjust operations of geothermal power plant equipment or systems.Prepare and maintain logs, reports, or other documentation of work performed.Identify and correct malfunctions of geothermal plant equipment, electrical systems, instrumentation, or controls.Collect and record data associated with operating geothermal power plants or well fields.Determine whether emergency or auxiliary systems will be needed to keep properties heated or cooled in extreme weather conditions.Perform pre- and post-installation pressure, flow, and related tests of vertical and horizontal geothermal loop piping.Identify equipment options, such as compressors, and make appropriate selections.Adjust power production systems to meet load and distribution demands.Calculate heat loss and heat gain factors for residential properties to determine heating and cooling required by installed geothermal systems.Maintain electrical switchgear, process controls, transmitters, gauges, and control equipment in accordance with geothermal plant procedures.Maintain, calibrate, or repair plant instrumentation, control, and electronic devices in geothermal plants.Install and maintain geothermal plant electrical protection equipment.Design and lay out geothermal heat systems according to property characteristics, heating and cooling requirements, piping and equipment requirements, applicable regulations, or other factors.Install and maintain geothermal system instrumentation or controls.Prepare newly installed geothermal heat systems for operation by flushing, purging, or other actions.Weld piping, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) piping, using techniques such as butt, socket, side-wall, and electro-fusion welding.Install, maintain, or repair ground or water source-coupled heat pumps to heat and cool residential or commercial building air or water.Test water sources for factors, such as flow volume and contaminant presence.Integrate hot water heater systems with geothermal heat exchange systems.Determine the type of geothermal loop system most suitable to a specific property and its heating and cooling needs.Dig trenches for system piping to appropriate depths and lay piping in trenches.Apply coatings or operate systems to mitigate corrosion of geothermal plant equipment or structures.Backfill piping trenches to protect pipes from damage.Operate equipment, such as excavators, backhoes, rock hammers, trench compactors, pavement saws, grout mixers or pumps, geothermal loop reels, and coil tubing units (CTU).
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Hand tools and basic gauges — identify and use under direct supervision to inspect completed installation work on a shop floor or field site.Work area hazards — recognize and report to a supervisor during daily walkthroughs at a maintenance facility.Simple blueprints and job orders — read and interpret with guidance to locate reference points before beginning assigned tasks.Basic equipment components — assist in routine maintenance tasks following written checklists provided by a lead technician.Personal protective equipment and safety protocols — apply consistently under supervisor direction at indoor and outdoor work sites.Measurement instruments such as calipers and tape measures — use to record dimensional readings on finished work pieces under close oversight.Standard repair procedures — follow step-by-step instructions to complete entry-level maintenance tasks on mechanical systems.Spreadsheet software — enter work order data and inspection results into pre-built templates under trainer guidance.Verbal and written instructions from supervisors — listen actively and ask clarifying questions to complete assigned repair tasks correctly.Common mechanical components such as fasteners, fittings, and seals — identify by name and function during hands-on orientation training.
developing
Hand tools and calibrated gauges — select and apply independently to verify that completed work conforms to specification tolerances on routine service calls.Work area inspection procedures — conduct scheduled safety walkthroughs and document findings using electronic mail or office suite software with minimal oversight.Blueprints and technical job orders — interpret to lay out reference points and construct basic templates for recurring installation tasks.Mechanical systems and equipment — perform preventive maintenance on schedule and log results in a database user interface at a service depot.Operations monitoring techniques — observe equipment performance indicators and identify deviations from normal operating ranges during live production environments.Quality control checks — carry out standardized tests on completed repairs and flag non-conformances to a senior technician for resolution.Troubleshooting methods — apply structured diagnostic steps to isolate faults in familiar mechanical or electronic assemblies.Coworkers and junior helpers — provide informal on-the-job guidance on safe tool use and correct installation techniques at the work site.Customer service interactions — communicate repair status and basic maintenance advice clearly to clients at commercial or residential locations.Spreadsheet and office suite software — compile inspection data and generate summary reports to support routine maintenance documentation.
proficient
Completed installation and repair work — inspect, test, and measure autonomously using precision instruments to confirm full conformance with engineering specifications.Complex blueprints, CAD drawings, and job orders — interpret across a broad range of project types to establish accurate templates and layout references without assistance.Non-routine equipment failures — troubleshoot using critical thinking and multi-step diagnostic processes to restore operation with minimal downtime.Hazardous work conditions — assess proactively, implement corrective controls, and deliver targeted safety training to prevent incidents at field or facility sites.Mechanical and electronic systems — diagnose and repair across the full scope of assigned equipment types, adapting methods to unfamiliar configurations.Employee work levels and performance — review output quality and productivity, providing specific technical feedback to support continuous improvement.CAD software and database tools — use to document repair histories, retrieve maintenance schedules, and support asset management decisions.Quality control analysis — apply systematic evaluation techniques to identify systemic defects and recommend process improvements to management.Mathematics and engineering principles — apply to calculate loads, tolerances, and material requirements when planning complex repair or installation projects.Cross-functional teams including contractors and clients — coordinate technical work activities to deliver maintenance projects on time and within scope.
advanced
Organizational maintenance standards and inspection protocols — develop and implement across all work crews to ensure consistent quality at enterprise scale.Workforce safety programs — design, deliver, and continuously improve training curricula that reduce incident rates across multiple field teams and facility locations.Technical competency frameworks — establish for the maintenance and repair workforce, defining skill benchmarks and guiding structured career development pathways.Complex, multi-discipline installation and repair projects — lead end-to-end planning and execution, integrating CAD documentation, resource scheduling, and quality assurance.Emerging repair technologies and tools — evaluate and pilot for adoption, driving operational improvements that enhance efficiency and reliability across the organization.Senior technicians and team leads — mentor in advanced troubleshooting, blueprint interpretation, and quality control methods to build organizational depth.Departmental performance metrics — analyze using database and spreadsheet software to identify trends, forecast maintenance needs, and present findings to executive leadership.Organizational safety culture — champion through policy development, audit oversight, and active engagement with public safety and regulatory compliance requirements.Budget planning and resource allocation — direct for maintenance operations, balancing labor, equipment, and material costs to meet service-level commitments.Stakeholder and client relationships at senior levels — manage by communicating strategic maintenance plans, resolving escalated technical disputes, and ensuring long-term customer satisfaction.
Also known as
215 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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