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Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipModerate pressure

What they do

Repair, maintain, or install electric motors, wiring, or switches.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $56,210 Median per year · $27.02/hr Most earn $37,100–$85,200

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Test equipment for overheating, using speed gauges and thermometers.
  • Solder, wrap, and coat wires to ensure proper insulation.
  • Remove and replace defective parts such as coil leads, carbon brushes, and wires, using soldering equipment.
  • Remove and replace defective parts such as coil leads, carbon brushes, and wires, using soldering equipment.
  • Hammer out dents and twists in tools and equipment.
  • Lift units or parts such as motors or generators, using cranes or chain hoists, or signal crane operators to lift heavy parts or subassemblies.

Job outlook

United States
4% more jobs by 2035, about as fast as average · about 1,400 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Merchant wholesalers, durable goods18.2%
  • Commercial and industrial machinery and equipment (except automotive and electronic) repair and maintenance16.5%
  • Electrical equipment manufacturing6.9%
  • Crop production6.4%
  • Self-employed (their own business)3.4%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipExperience before this job: 2 to 4 years

This isn't usually a job you can start straight out of school. Most people finish high school, complete a certificate or apprenticeship in electrical or motor repair, and then build about 2 to 4 years of hands-on experience before working in this role.

  1. High school diploma with shop, math, and electronics classes

    4 years

    Strong math and hands-on shop classes build the basics of electricity, tools, and troubleshooting that repair training assumes.

  2. Certificate or apprenticeship in electrical or motor repair

    1-2 years

    Structured training teaches wiring, motor parts, safety rules, and how to test and fix electrical equipment.

  3. Maintenance Worker, Machinery

    1-2 years

    Entry-level work keeping machines running teaches you to spot problems, use diagnostic tools, and work safely on real equipment.

  4. Electric Motor and Power Tool Repairer

    2-4 years of related work before this role

    You take on repairs of motors, power tools, wiring, and switches on your own, using the skills and experience you gained in training and entry-level work.

Where it can lead

  1. Industrial Machinery Mechanic

    2-4 years of experience first

    You take on bigger, more complex machines in factories and plants, often doing preventive maintenance and planning repairs on your own.

  2. Maintenance Supervisor

    3-5 years of experience first

    You lead a team of repair workers, assign jobs, and manage schedules, which requires strong communication and planning skills as well as technical ones.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take math and physicsAlgebra, geometry, and physics help you understand electrical circuits, motor power, and how machines work.
  • Take shop, electronics, or auto/small-engine classesHands-on classes teach you to use hand and power tools and to read wiring diagrams, which are core skills in this work.
  • Join a robotics, engineering, or STEM clubBuilding and fixing machines in a team shows you how to troubleshoot and gives you something to talk about with employers.
  • Get a starter job or help at a repair shop, farm, or hardware storeAny job where you handle tools or equipment builds comfort with machines and shows employers you're reliable.

In college

  • Enroll in an electrical, electromechanical, or industrial maintenance certificate programA certificate program gives you the formal training that employers and apprenticeships look for in this field.
  • Apply for an apprenticeship or cooperative work programPaid, on-the-job training lets you build the 2 to 4 years of experience this career typically needs while you learn.
  • Take courses in electricity, electronics, and safetyKnowing electrical theory and workplace safety rules helps you work safely and pass the hands-on skills tests many employers use.
  • Work a campus job in facilities or maintenanceHelping keep campus buildings and equipment running gives you real repair experience and a reference for future jobs.
  • Earn a basic safety or electrical certification if your school offers oneShort certifications show employers you already know safety basics, which can help you land a first job faster.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask a local repair shop, factory, or electrician if you can shadow them or visit for a day. Seeing the work up close is the fastest way to find out if you like it.
  • Look up apprenticeship and certificate programs near you early, since many have application deadlines and require good grades in math and science.
  • Keep a simple record of the repairs or projects you complete. Employers and training programs like to see hands-on experience.

Related jobs that often lead here

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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