Home Appliance Repairer
A Home Appliance Repairer is a professional who specializes in diagnosing and fixing a variety of household machines, including dishwashers, ovens, washers, and dryers. This role requires a strong understanding of appliance technology, plumbing, and electrical systems, along with hands-on problem-solving skills. Typically, repairers work in both repair shops and clients' homes, often traveling in vans equipped with necessary tools and spare parts. Many are independent contractors who may also run their own small businesses, while others are employed by appliance retailers and distributors.
The work environment demands effective interpersonal communication, as repairers frequently interact with clients to explain issues and solutions. Continuous learning through training courses is essential to keep up with technological advancements in appliances. Educational pathways often include high school courses in math, science, and industrial arts, with vocational training providing practical skills. While the job outlook can vary with economic conditions—often seeing a decline during better economic times—repairers are crucial in maintaining the functionality of home appliances. Overall, this profession attracts those who enjoy mechanical challenges and customer service.
Home Appliance Repairer
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Manufacturing
Interests: Mechanics, working with your hands, communicating with others, solving problems
Earnings (Yearly Median): $47,170 annually, $22.68 hourly
Employment & Outlook: Decline Possible
Overview
Sphere of Work. Home appliance repairers investigate problems with and repair a variety of malfunctioning machines used in the home, including dishwashers, ovens, washers, and dryers. Traditionally, home appliance repairers are knowledgeable about the entire spectrum of home appliance technology and possess extensive training in plumbing and electrical systems. They are hands-on problem solvers who are skilled in deductive reasoning. Much of the knowledge required for the position is learned through on-the-job experience.
Work Environment. Home appliance repairers work in repair shops and on location in homes and selected small businesses. Many are independent contractors who work as repairers and small-business owners, sometimes managing a small staff. Others are employed by home appliance distributors and retail outlets. Home appliance repairers spend much of their time traveling from job to job, traditionally in vans or light trucks outfitted with tools, spare parts, and other necessary equipment.
Occupation Interest. Home appliance repair attracts technologically savvy individuals who enjoy mechanical problem-solving. The individualized nature of the work of a home appliance repairer often attracts people who enjoy working alone or with small groups. Since customer service and technological explanation are a large part of the job, home appliance repairers are often both amicable and patient and possess effective interpersonal communication skills.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Home appliance repairers have a variety of tasks other than repairing machinery. Repairers who are proprietors of their own home appliance repair business must also make time to tend to administrative and budgetary duties, as well as to tasks related to marketing and promotion of the business.
In addition to traveling to jobs, appliance professionals who are employed by repair shops or retail businesses must document both their travel and parts used and complete paperwork related to billing and hours worked. All home repairers must complete occasional training courses to stay abreast of emerging trends and developments in home appliance technology.
Appliance professionals traditionally work regionally in homes and small businesses within proximity to their headquarters. Jobs are customarily aligned in the most efficient manner possible, taking into consideration the particular machinery, type of problem, and estimated length of repair. Home appliance repair trucks are normally outfitted with most of the parts, tools, and diagnostic instruments repair workers need to tackle the majority of repairs. Large-scale repairs may require return visits or transportation of some parts or an entire machine back to a repair center.
Small Appliance Repairers. Small Appliance Repairers repair electrical appliances, such as toasters, percolators, lamps, and irons.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Home appliance repairers work predominately in residential, small business, and commercial settings. Home appliance repairers can also work in a variety of settings where appliance machinery is utilized, from corporate offices to hospitals and restaurants.
Human Environment. Home appliance repair requires strong interpersonal communication skills. Home appliance professionals interact extensively with clients and vendors on a daily basis.
Technological Environment. Home appliance repairers utilize a wide variety of technologies that range from telephone and radio use to working with diagnostic software and highly calibrated tools and machinery. Home appliance repairers who are also small business owners must also be proficient in accounting and scheduling software. They may also maintain a website or spread the word of their business using social media.
Changing technology can have a significant effect on the workload of the appliance repairer. Newer models with computerized parts can require specialized knowledge to repair. At the same time, parts that become unavailable for discontinued models can make repairing these models difficult or require adapting the parts that are available. In addition, experts find it difficult to predict the level of growth for this field because it is dependent on economic factors. In a good economy, people tend to buy new appliances rather than repair them while in economic downturns, budget constraints usually result in more people repairing the appliances they have.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students can best prepare for a career in home appliance repair with coursework in algebra, geometry, chemistry, physics, and computers. Industrial art and design classes can also serve as precursors for future work in technology and engineering and with machinery.
Participation in science fairs and science clubs gives students the opportunity to conceive of, invent, and disassemble various technological and mechanical processes and functions prior to graduation. Many vocational high schools in the United States offer specific small-machinery courses to high school students.
Postsecondary. Postsecondary education is not traditionally a requirement for a career in home appliance repair. Much of the basics of the position can be acquired through the successful completion of vocational or associate-level training programs. A variety of community college and adult education centers also offer instructional training in home appliance and small machinery repair.
Appliance repair professionals interested in opening their own small repair businesses benefit from postsecondary coursework in engineering, business administration, and management.
Related Occupations
− Heating & Cooling Technician
− Home Entertainment Equipment Repairer
Bibliography
"Appliance Repair in the US - Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2024-2029)." IBIS World, May 2024, www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/appliance-repair-industry/. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
"Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022: 49-9031 Home Appliance Repairers." Occupational Employment Statistics. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes499031.htm. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.