All careers › Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
Mechanic helper: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $29,310lowest 10% earn less
- $34,91025th percentile
- $39,630median
- $46,89075th percentile
- $55,890top 10% earn more
The median pay for a mechanic helper was $39,630 a year in May 2025[1], below the $50,980 median for all occupations[2]. The typical way in is a high school diploma and short on-the-job training[3].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +5.3%[5]
- Openings per year
- 13,600[6]
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent[3]
How much do mechanic helpers make?
BLS counts these workers as Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers. In May 2025 the median wage was $39,630 a year, or $19.05 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $41,490 a year, or $19.95 an hour[7]. The median for all occupations was $50,980[2], so this job paid less than the typical US job.
The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $29,310 a year, and the 90th percentile was $55,890[4]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[8].
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile[4][9] | $29,310 | $14.09 |
| 25th percentile[4][9] | $34,910 | $16.78 |
| Median[1] | $39,630 | $19.05 |
| 75th percentile[4][9] | $46,890 | $22.55 |
| 90th percentile[4][9] | $55,890 | $26.87 |
These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed and do not include benefits or nonproduction bonuses[10].
Pay by state and city
The District of Columbia had the highest state median at $54,860, based on 110 jobs[11]. Hawaii followed at $46,320 and Washington at $46,080[11]. Wyoming had the lowest published state median at $31,260[11].
Texas had the most jobs, at 16,610[12]. California had 9,050 and Florida had 5,520[12]. Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA had the highest median at $55,100[13]. Madison, WI was next at $50,170, then Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO at $48,580[13]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs, at 5,700[14].
Show median pay in 49 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia[11] | $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 |
How to become a mechanic helper
BLS describes a short path into this job[3]:
- First: finish high school or get an equivalent diploma[3].
- Next: no work experience in a related occupation is typically needed[3].
- Then: learn the work through short-term on-the-job training[3].
In an O*NET survey of 27 workers, 32% said a high school diploma or equivalent is required[15]. Another 25% named an associate degree, 23% a post-secondary certificate and 17% some college courses[15]. This is a small survey, so it shows a mix of answers rather than a rule.
O*NET places the job in a group needing very little to some preparation. Some jobs in that group need several months to a year of experience[16].
What mechanic helpers do
A mechanic helper assists installation, maintenance and repair workers with vehicles, industrial machinery, and electrical and electronic equipment[17]. Typical tasks, listed by O*NET, include:
- Installing or replacing machinery, equipment and parts with hand or power tools[18].
- Examining and testing equipment for defects[18].
- Watching equipment to check that it runs safely and efficiently[18].
- Connecting, disconnecting or adjusting wiring, piping and tubing[18].
- Cleaning and lubricating machines, tools and work areas[18].
- Handing tools, parts and supplies to other workers[18].
- Taking broken equipment apart and putting it back together after repair[18].
Workers report job titles such as HVAC helper, maintenance helper and technician's helper[19].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to grow 5.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 97,100 to 102,200 jobs[5]. That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations[20]. About 13,600 openings are projected each year[6]. Openings include jobs that come from workers retiring or changing occupations, as well as new jobs[6].
Each year, 6.4% of workers leave the labor force and 6.7% move to a different occupation[21]. About 1.3% of these workers were self-employed in 2025[22]. The wage count of 95,580 jobs covers wage and salary workers only[23], while the projection counts include the self-employed[5].
Is it a good fit?
The facts point to a job with a low barrier to entry. It asks for a high school diploma, no related experience and short on-the-job training[3]. Pay is below the all-occupation median[1][2]. Projected growth is above the all-occupation rate[5][20]. The facts here do not cover hours, working conditions or training costs, so check those locally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a mechanic helper make an hour?
- The median was $19.05 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $19.95[1][7].
- What education do you need to be a mechanic helper?
- BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent for entry, with no related experience and short-term on-the-job training[3].
- Are mechanic helper jobs in demand?
- BLS projects 5.3% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, and about 13,600 openings a year[5][20][6].
- What is the highest paying state for mechanic helpers?
- The District of Columbia had the highest median at $54,860, followed by Hawaii at $46,320[11].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers in the US was $39,630 per year and $19.05 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers: 10th percentile $29,310, 25th percentile $34,910, 75th percentile $46,890, 90th percentile $55,890. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers is projected to grow 5.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 97,100 to 102,200 jobs (a change of +5,100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: about 13,600 openings for Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers was $41,490 per year and $19.95 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers: 10th percentile $14.09, 25th percentile $16.78, 75th percentile $22.55, 90th percentile $26.87. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers jobs: Texas 16,610; California 9,050; Florida 5,520; New York 5,310; North Carolina 4,400. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $55,100; Madison, WI $50,170; Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $48,580; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $47,460; Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI $47,020; Waterbury-Shelton, CT $46,840; Kahului-Wailuku, HI $46,320; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $46,190. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 5,700 (median $43,870); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 4,440 (median $37,470); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 4,150 (median $38,250); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 2,770 (median $45,190); San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR 1,790 (median $25,200); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 1,670 (median $45,260). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- O*NET 49-9098.00 survey of workers (27 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 32%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 25%, Post-Secondary Certificate 23%, Some College Courses 17% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 49-9098.00: Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. 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. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET description of Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 49-9098.00 sample job titles reported by workers: HVAC Helper (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Helper), HVAC Installation Helper (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Installation Helper), Maintenance Aide, Maintenance Helper, Mechanic Helper, Mechanic Repair Helper, Mechanic's Assistant, Technician's Helper. O*NET OnLine
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers: 6.4% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6.7% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: 1.3% of Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 95,580 people were employed as Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.