# Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers

> 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.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 49-9098.00
- **Summary:** 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.

## Aliases

- Maintenance Aide
- Maintenance Helper
- Mechanic Helper
- Technician's Helper
- HVAC Helper (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Helper)
- HVAC Installation Helper (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Installation Helper)
- Mechanic Repair Helper
- Mechanic's Assistant
- Air Conditioner Installer Helper (AC Installer Helper)
- Air Conditioner Installer Servicer Helper (AC Installer Servicer Helper)
- Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic Helper
- Armature Winder Repair Helper

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Install or replace machinery, equipment, and new or replacement parts and instruments, using hand or power tools. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.d |
| Examine and test machinery, equipment, components, and parts for defects to ensure proper functioning. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.g |
| Tend and observe equipment and machinery to verify efficient and safe operation. | Core | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Adjust, connect, or disconnect wiring, piping, tubing, and other parts, using hand or power tools. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.ah |
| Assemble and maintain physical structures, using hand or power tools. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.2.a |
| Clean or lubricate vehicles, machinery, equipment, instruments, tools, work areas, and other objects, using hand tools, power tools, and cleaning equipment. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Hold or supply tools, parts, equipment, and supplies for other workers. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.g |
| Diagnose electrical problems and install and rewire electrical components. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.g |
| Disassemble broken or defective equipment to facilitate repair and reassemble equipment when repairs are complete. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.d |
| Position vehicles, machinery, equipment, physical structures, and other objects for assembly or installation, using hand tools, power tools, and moving equipment. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.v |
| Transfer tools, parts, equipment, and supplies to and from work stations and other areas. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.j |
| Adjust, maintain, and repair tools, equipment, and machines, and assist more skilled workers with similar tasks. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.i |

## Emerging Tasks


## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance. | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Maintain work equipment or machinery. | 4.A.3.b.5.a |
| Order materials, supplies, or equipment. | 4.A.4.c.3.e |
| Inspect electrical or electronic systems for defects. | 4.A.1.b.2.g |
| Repair electrical components. | 4.A.3.b.5.b |
| Fabricate parts or components. | 4.A.3.a.2.aa |
| Operate welding equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.ai |
| Observe equipment in operation to detect potential problems. | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Inspect mechanical equipment to locate damage, defects, or wear. | 4.A.1.b.2.g |
| Test mechanical equipment to ensure proper functioning. | 4.A.1.b.2.l |
| Connect hoses to equipment or piping. | 4.A.3.a.2.ah |
| Connect electrical components or equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.ah |
| Install machine or equipment replacement parts. | 4.A.3.a.2.d |
| Clean work areas. | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Clean equipment, parts, or tools to repair or maintain them in good working order. | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Lubricate equipment to allow proper functioning. | 4.A.3.b.5.a |
| Apply protective coverings to objects or surfaces near work areas. | 4.A.3.a.1.d |
| Move materials, equipment, or supplies. | 4.A.3.a.1.j |
| Reassemble equipment after repair. | 4.A.3.a.2.d |
| Disassemble equipment for maintenance or repair. | 4.A.3.a.2.s |
| Assemble structural components. | 4.A.3.a.2.a |
| Position equipment using hand tools, power tools, or heavy equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.v |
| Assist skilled construction or extraction personnel. | 4.A.3.a.1.g |
| Position hand tools. | 4.A.3.a.2.v |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Mechanical | knowledge | 4.07 |
| Building and Construction | knowledge | 3.75 |
| Customer and Personal Service | knowledge | 3.67 |
| Manual Dexterity | ability | 3.62 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | ability | 3.5 |
| Control Precision | ability | 3.5 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.5 |
| Public Safety and Security | knowledge | 3.48 |
| English Language | knowledge | 3.47 |
| Multilimb Coordination | ability | 3.38 |
| Engineering and Technology | knowledge | 3.36 |
| Mathematics | knowledge | 3.34 |
| Design | knowledge | 3.32 |
| Finger Dexterity | ability | 3.25 |
| Production and Processing | knowledge | 3.15 |
| Computers and Electronics | knowledge | 3.13 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Operations Monitoring | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Operation and Control | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Equipment Maintenance | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Troubleshooting | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Repairing | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 3.12 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 3.12 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.12 |
| Static Strength | ability | 3.12 |
| Trunk Strength | ability | 3.12 |
| Extent Flexibility | ability | 3.12 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3 |
| Coordination | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Quality Control Analysis | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 3 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3 |
| Flexibility of Closure | ability | 3 |
| Visualization | ability | 3 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 3 |
| Stamina | ability | 3 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Windows | Common Skill |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Outlook | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Presentation Software | Specialized Skill |
| Industrial Control Software | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software | yes | no |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Windows | Operating system software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | no |
| SAP software | Enterprise resource planning ERP software | yes | no |
| Atlas Construction Business Forms | Word processing software | no | no |
| Building automation software | Industrial control software | no | no |
| Data logging software | Data base user interface and query software | no | no |
| Facility energy management software | Facilities management software | no | no |
| HVAC tools software | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 4.77 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.72 |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | 4.22 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 4.17 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 4.16 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 4.16 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 4.09 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 4.06 |
| Contact With Others | 3.99 |
| Spend Time Standing | 3.99 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 3.96 |
| Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions | 3.94 |
| Telephone Conversations | 3.91 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 3.9 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 3.89 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 3.87 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 3.85 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 3.73 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 3.73 |
| E-Mail | 3.69 |
| Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings | 3.65 |
| Consequence of Error | 3.64 |
| Physical Proximity | 3.56 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.55 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 3.44 |
| Time Pressure | 3.44 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 3.41 |
| Deal With External Customers or the Public in General | 3.38 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.34 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | 3.3 |
| Exposed to High Places | 3.23 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 3.16 |
| In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment | 3.13 |
| Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body | 3.13 |
| Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection | 3.12 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 3.12 |
| In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment | 3.04 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 2.94 |
| Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling | 2.66 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 2.61 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 2
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- **Experience:** Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- **Svp Range:** (Below 6.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| High School Diploma | 31.74 |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 25.12 |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 23.48 |
| Some College Courses | 17.34 |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 2.29 |
| Bachelor's Degree | 0.01 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 6.99 |
| Mechanics/Electronics | specific_interest_area | 6.33 |
| Physical/Manual Labor | specific_interest_area | 6.02 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 4.04 |
| Engineering | specific_interest_area | 3.24 |
| Construction/Woodwork | specific_interest_area | 2.46 |
| Transportation/Machine Operation | specific_interest_area | 2.42 |
| Dependability | work_style | 2.14 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 1.97 |
| Cooperation | work_style | 1.95 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 1.86 |
| Social | career_interest_type | 1.82 |
| Enterprising | career_interest_type | 1.63 |
| Information Technology | specific_interest_area | 1.53 |
| Cautiousness | work_style | 1.44 |
| Mathematics/Statistics | specific_interest_area | 1.31 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 51-9198.00 | role-51-9198-00 | Helpers--Production Workers | Primary-Short |
| 47-3015.00 | role-47-3015-00 | Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Primary-Short |
| 47-3013.00 | role-47-3013-00 | Helpers--Electricians | Primary-Short |
| 47-5081.00 | role-47-5081-00 | Helpers--Extraction Workers | Primary-Short |
| 47-3012.00 | role-47-3012-00 | Helpers--Carpenters | Primary-Short |
| 47-3014.00 | role-47-3014-00 | Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons | Primary-Long |
| 47-3011.00 | role-47-3011-00 | Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters | Primary-Long |
| 49-9044.00 | role-49-9044-00 | Millwrights | Primary-Long |
| 49-2092.00 | role-49-2092-00 | Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers | Primary-Long |
| 49-9043.00 | role-49-9043-00 | Maintenance Workers, Machinery | Primary-Long |
| 49-9071.00 | role-49-9071-00 | Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | Supplemental |
| 49-9041.00 | role-49-9041-00 | Industrial Machinery Mechanics | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Construction | construction |

## Education Level

- **Category:** High school diploma or equivalent

## Study Programs


## Market

- **Median Wage:** 38860
- **Mean Wage:** 40750
- **Pct10Wage:** 28770
- **Pct25Wage:** 33760
- **Pct75Wage:** 46600
- **Pct90Wage:** 54650
- **Employment:** 97540
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 23 | 23 | Construction | Sector | 32610 | 38810 | 6.35 |
| 238220 | 238220 | Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | National industry | 24100 | 38240 | 30.08 |
| 81 | 81 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | Sector | 19860 | 36340 | 7.09 |
| 44-45 | 44-45 | Retail Trade | Sector | 8870 | 36510 | 0.9 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 5770 | 43070 | 0.71 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 5230 | 41290 | 1.37 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 5030 | 38510 | 0.88 |
| 48-49 | 48-49 | Transportation and Warehousing | Sector | 4930 | 39180 | 1.05 |
| 53 | 53 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | Sector | 2390 | 40240 | 1.6 |
| 238210 | 238210 | Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors | National industry | 2270 | 37490 | 3.35 |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 1610 | 37950 | 0.19 |
| 237130 | 237130 | Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction | National industry | 1350 | 43900 | 9.11 |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 238220 | 238220 | Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | National industry | 24100 | 30.08 |
| 423820 | 423820 | Farm and Garden Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers | National industry | 680 | 9.42 |
| 237130 | 237130 | Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction | National industry | 1350 | 9.11 |
| 238290 | 238290 | Other Building Equipment Contractors | National industry | 860 | 8.85 |
| 81 | 81 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | Sector | 19860 | 7.09 |
| 23 | 23 | Construction | Sector | 32610 | 6.35 |
| 221112 | 221112 | Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation | National industry | 200 | 4.43 |
| 22 | 22 | Utilities | Sector | 1320 | 3.6 |
- **Count:** 36

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.79 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | -1.346555 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | -1.097894 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | -1.320576 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 10
- **Percentile:** 6
- **Band:** Low
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 7 | felten_aioe |
| 9 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 15 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | -1.346555 | 7 | Low | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.06666666666666667 | 9 | Low | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.06251133442943597 | 15 | Low | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.79
- **Percentile:** 64
- **Band:** Moderate
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0
- **Beta:** 0.03333333333333333
- **Gamma:** 0.06666666666666667

### Usage Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Importance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Examine and test machinery, equipment, components, and parts for defects to ensure proper functioning. | 0.0016433246100185286 | 4.03 |
- **Usage Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** 2.3
- **Growth Percentile:** 44
- **Direction:** About average
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 11.8
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 66
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 98.7
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 101

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 16
- **Skills:** 38
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 12
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** 61a4c35f6d643cff