Home Appliance Repairers
Overview
Salary
Demand
Core Tasks
Technology Skills
Tools Used
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Top 10 Skills
Top 10 Abilities
Top 10 Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Work Context
Education
Majors
Interests
Top 10 Work Styles
Work Values
Related Careers
Overview
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Education
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Examples
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
Repair, adjust, or install all types of electric or gas household appliances, such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, and ovens.
Salary Salary
Salary at 10th Percentile: $25K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $32K
Median Salary: $41K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $52K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $65K
Demand
Core Tasks
Bill customers for repair work, and collect payment.
Observe and examine appliances during operation to detect specific malfunctions such as loose parts or leaking fluid.
Talk to customers or refer to work orders to establish the nature of appliance malfunctions.
Conserve, recover, and recycle refrigerants used in cooling systems.
Refer to schematic drawings, product manuals, and troubleshooting guides to diagnose and repair problems.
Replace worn and defective parts such as switches, bearings, transmissions, belts, gears, circuit boards, or defective wiring.
Trace electrical circuits, following diagrams, and conduct tests with circuit testers and other equipment to locate shorts and grounds.
Provide repair cost estimates, and recommend whether appliance repair or replacement is a better choice.
Disassemble appliances so that problems can be diagnosed and repairs can be made.
Respond to emergency calls for problems such as gas leaks.
Service and repair domestic electrical or gas appliances, such as clothes washers, refrigerators, stoves, and dryers.
Reassemble units after repairs are made, making adjustments and cleaning and lubricating parts as needed.
Record maintenance and repair work performed on appliances.
Test and examine gas pipelines and equipment to locate leaks and faulty connections, and to determine the pressure and flow of gas.
Light and adjust pilot lights on gas stoves, and examine valves and burners for gas leakage and specified flame.
Instruct customers regarding operation and care of appliances, and provide information such as emergency service numbers.
Contact supervisors or offices to receive repair assignments.
Level refrigerators, adjust doors, and connect water lines to water pipes for ice makers and water dispensers, using hand tools.
Maintain stocks of parts used in on-site installation, maintenance, and repair of appliances.
Observe and test operation of appliances following installation, and make any initial installation adjustments that are necessary.
Install gas pipes and water lines to connect appliances to existing gas lines or plumbing.
Install appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and stoves.
Set appliance thermostats, and check to ensure that they are functioning properly.
Level washing machines and connect hoses to water pipes, using hand tools.
Clean and reinstall parts.
Take measurements to determine if appliances will fit in installation locations, performing minor carpentry work when necessary to ensure proper installation.
Clean, lubricate, and touch up minor defects on newly installed or repaired appliances.
Measure, cut, and thread pipe, and connect it to feeder lines and equipment or appliances, using rules and hand tools.
Assemble new or reconditioned appliances.
Disassemble and reinstall existing kitchen cabinets, or assemble and install prefabricated kitchen cabinets and trim in conjunction with appliance installation.
Hang steel supports from beams or joists to hold hoses, vents, and gas pipes in place.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Customer and Personal Service
82%
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Mechanical
80%
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Administration and Management
69%
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
English Language
69%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Clerical
68%
Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Computers and Electronics
68%
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Sales and Marketing
64%
Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Engineering and Technology
60%
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Mathematics
59%
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Education and Training
54%
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Top 10 Skills
Repairing
78%
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Critical Thinking
75%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Equipment Maintenance
73%
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Troubleshooting
73%
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Operations Monitoring
70%
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Quality Control Analysis
70%
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Speaking
70%
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening
68%
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Complex Problem Solving
63%
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Reading Comprehension
63%
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Top 10 Abilities
Arm-Hand Steadiness
78%
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Finger Dexterity
75%
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Manual Dexterity
75%
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Near Vision
75%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Expression
75%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Problem Sensitivity
75%
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Oral Comprehension
73%
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Extent Flexibility
65%
The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Information Ordering
65%
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Visualization
65%
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Top 10 Work Activities
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
83%
Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
Getting Information
82%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
82%
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
82%
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Handling and Moving Objects
81%
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
80%
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
76%
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Performing General Physical Activities
76%
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
72%
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
72%
Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
Detailed Work Activities
Collect payments for goods or services.
Observe equipment in operation to detect potential problems.
Read work orders or descriptions of problems to determine repairs or modifications needed.
Confer with customers or users to assess problems.
Read technical information needed to perform maintenance or repairs.
Test electrical circuits or components for proper functioning.
Replace worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
Estimate costs for labor or materials.
Advise others on issues related to repairs, installation, or equipment design.
Disassemble equipment for maintenance or repair.
Travel to work sites to perform installation, repair or maintenance work.
Repair worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
Clean equipment, parts, or tools to repair or maintain them in good working order.
Reassemble equipment after repair.
Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
Maintain repair or maintenance records.
Inspect gas systems or components to identify leaks or other potential hazards.
Train customers in the use of products.
Confer with coworkers to resolve equipment problems.
Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
Level machines or equipment.
Connect hoses to equipment or piping.
Test mechanical equipment to ensure proper functioning.
Inspect systems to determine if they are operating properly.
Install home appliances.
Lubricate equipment to allow proper functioning.
Dispose of hazardous materials.
Install piping for installation or maintenance activities.
Measure distances or dimensions.
Cut materials according to specifications or needs.
Assemble mechanical components or machine parts.
Position equipment using hand tools, power tools, or heavy equipment.
Work Context
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Face-to-Face Discussions
How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment
How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)?
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
Deal With External Customers
How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?
Frequency of Decision Making
How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
Education
Interests
Realistic
100%
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional
72%
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Investigative
62%
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Enterprising
39%
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Social
24%
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Artistic
15%
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Top 10 Work Styles
Integrity
93%
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Attention to Detail
90%
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability
88%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Cooperation
85%
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Analytical Thinking
81%
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Independence
81%
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Self Control
80%
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Persistence
78%
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Concern for Others
77%
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Initiative
77%
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Work Values
Independence
67%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Support
62%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Working Conditions
58%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Achievement
48%
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Relationships
43%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Recognition
34%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
