How much does a helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair worker make?
The median helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair worker in the United States earns $39,630 per year, about $19.05 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 49-9098.
Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair worker salary range
Pay for helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $29,310 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $55,890. The average (mean) wage of $41,490 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29,310 | $14.09 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $34,910 | $16.78 | |
| Median (50th) | $39,630 | $19.05 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $46,890 | $22.55 | |
| 90th percentile | $55,890 | $26.87 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers (SOC 49-9098), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair worker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers earn the most in District of Columbia at $54,860 a year, and the least in Wyoming at $31,260. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $54,860 | 110 |
| Hawaii | $46,320 | 660 |
| Washington | $46,080 | 1,110 |
| New Hampshire | $45,760 | 560 |
| Alaska | $45,740 | 550 |
| Colorado | $45,610 | 1,190 |
| Arizona | $45,560 | 1,770 |
| Rhode Island | $45,240 | 140 |
| Minnesota | $44,950 | 1,110 |
| North Dakota | $44,710 | 100 |
| California | $44,670 | 9,050 |
| Connecticut | $44,370 | 1,050 |
| Utah | $44,210 | 410 |
| New York | $43,870 | 5,310 |
| Michigan | $43,630 | 2,180 |
| Oregon | $43,300 | 1,330 |
| Vermont | $42,630 | 90 |
| Massachusetts | $42,200 | 1,290 |
| Maryland | $41,630 | 1,770 |
| Wisconsin | $41,600 | 1,640 |
| Pennsylvania | $41,500 | 2,540 |
| New Jersey | $41,230 | 3,050 |
| Delaware | $40,530 | 360 |
| Ohio | $39,980 | 1,550 |
| Illinois | $39,730 | 1,750 |
| Maine | $39,520 | 280 |
| Montana | $39,430 | 400 |
| Idaho | $39,250 | 430 |
| West Virginia | $39,030 | 340 |
| Virginia | $38,890 | 3,100 |
| Florida | $38,710 | 5,520 |
| North Carolina | $38,700 | 4,400 |
| Iowa | $38,690 | 990 |
| Tennessee | $38,490 | 2,540 |
| South Carolina | $38,480 | 2,160 |
| Indiana | $37,470 | 1,160 |
| Kansas | $37,430 | 440 |
| Missouri | $37,110 | 670 |
| Kentucky | $37,000 | 900 |
| Texas | $37,000 | 16,610 |
| New Mexico | $36,950 | 770 |
| Georgia | $36,640 | 3,100 |
| Nevada | $36,610 | 1,030 |
| Louisiana | $36,160 | 3,910 |
| Alabama | $36,140 | 1,710 |
| Oklahoma | $35,530 | 1,820 |
| Nebraska | $35,480 | 350 |
| Mississippi | $35,440 | 960 |
| Arkansas | $33,630 | 1,140 |
| Wyoming | $31,260 | 160 |
State median wages for helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers (SOC 49-9098), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers
The BLS projects employment of helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers to grow 5.3% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 97,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 102,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 13,600 openings a year for helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair worker
The typical entry-level education for helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair worker earns
Certifications, the type of equipment worked on, employer, and region drive most of the pay difference. Flat-rate pay and overtime can push experienced techs well above the median.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $54,860) and the lowest (Wyoming, $31,260) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 95,580 people work as helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers in the United States. At $39,630 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair worker salary FAQ
How much does a helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair worker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair worker is $19.05. The middle half of helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers earn between $16.78 and $22.55 per hour.
What is the highest helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair worker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers earn more than $55,890 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair worker make a year?
The median annual salary for a helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair worker is $39,630. The average (mean) wage of $41,490 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair worker a well paid job?
At $39,630 a year, a helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair worker earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 95,580 people work as helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers in the United States.
Which state pays helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers at $54,860 a year. Hawaii ($46,320) and Washington ($46,080) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair worker a good career?
Employment of helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers is projected to grow 5.3% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 13,600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair worker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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