$Who Earns What

How much does a repair helper make?

US Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers

Answer: A typical repair helper in the United States makes $39,630 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Yearly pay of a typical person doing this job in the US
$39,630

Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 96,000 people work in this job. Below the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).

Lower earner
$29,310
10th from the bottom of 100
Typical person
$39,630
Right in the middle (median)
Higher earner
$55,890
10th from the top of 100

If 100 people had this job

Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-right

Hover over a person to see their yearly pay

49 of 100
not many

Repair helper pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)

Repair helper pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$29,310$39,630$55,890about 96,000
States where repair helpers earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
Hawaii$46,320about 660
Washington$46,080about 1,000
New Hampshire$45,760about 560
Alaska$45,740about 550
Colorado$45,610about 1,000

Why does pay differ?

In the United States, repair helpers may earn differently based on experience, useful skills or certificates, and the kind of employer or repair work. Location and the complexity of the specialty matter too, and overtime or shift premiums can change total pay.

What if you lived in a different state?

Pay varies a lot by state in the US
Whole US$39,630
Hawaii$46,320
Washington$46,080
New Hampshire$45,760
Alaska$45,740
Colorado$45,610
Oklahoma$35,530
Mississippi$35,440
Arkansas$33,630

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

What does a repair helper do?

Help installation, maintenance, and repair workers in maintenance, parts replacement, and repair of vehicles, industrial machinery, and electrical and electronic equipment. Perform duties such as furnishing tools, materials, and supplies to other workers; cleaning work area, machines, and tools; and holding materials or tools for other workers.

What's a typical day like?

A repair helper gathers tools and parts, then hands them over or holds a piece steady while a mechanic works on a vehicle, machine, or electrical equipment. They may help take equipment apart and put it back together, test it, and clean the work area.

How to get this job

In the U.S., a high school diploma or GED is usually expected, and many people start by applying for an entry-level helper job. They learn on the job over a few days to a year; specialized work may call for extra credentials or an apprenticeship.

High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)

Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.

Did you know?

A repair helper may do more than pass tools: O*NET lists diagnosing electrical problems and installing or rewiring electrical parts among the job’s tasks.

Similar jobs

Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)

Earn more in the same field

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair jobs that pay a bit more

Sources and data

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine

Pages used for the text

Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY