How much does an appliance repairer make?
a year · about $25 an hour
A typical appliance repairer in the United States makes $50,990 a year, about $25 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They drive to homes, ask what is wrong, then test a washer, fridge, or stove and consult manuals to find the fault. They explain the repair, replace or adjust parts, test the appliance again, and record the job.
Did you know? Surprise: an appliance repairer may collect and recycle refrigerator refrigerant—not just replace broken parts.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $36,190 and $80,660How do you become one?
U.S. repairers usually finish high school or earn a GED, then learn on the job; trade-school classes can help. Work that could release refrigerant requires EPA Section 608 certification, but closely supervised apprentices are exempt.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, experience, useful certificates, and skill with harder repairs can help appliance repairers earn more. Pay also differs by location and employer, such as a repair shop versus an appliance retailer.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Massachusetts ($70,750), lowest in Indiana ($47,080).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $36,190 | $50,990 | $80,660 | about 32,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $70,750 | about 550 |
| New York | $65,190 | about 2,000 |
| Minnesota | $61,360 | about 540 |
| Virginia | $59,820 | about 870 |
| California | $58,480 | about 3,000 |
Official definition: Repair, adjust, or install all types of electric or gas household appliances, such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, and ovens.
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
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/49-9031.00
- www.onetonline.org/skills/zone/49-9031.00
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/49-9031.00
- www.epa.gov/section608/section-608-technician-certification-requirements
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes499031.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY