APPLIANCE REPAIRERS (HOME AND GARDEN) Number 101 Interest Area 5-D 1998
THE JOB
MAJOR APPLIANCE REPAIRERS service larger electric, gas, and microwave household appliances; these include stoves, ovens, refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers and large microwave ovens. Appliances are repaired for the most part in the customer's home.
SMALL APPLIANCE REPAIRERS traditionally specialize in the repair of small electric, gas and electronic equipment such as toasters, waffle irons, coffee makers, vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers, power tools, and microwave ovens. Most of this work is done in repair shops at workbenches.
Repairers will operate the equipment to detect unusual noises, overheating, or excess vibrations. They check for faulty electrical connections, damaged circuit boards and other common sources of appliance failure. When necessary, technicians disassemble the appliance to examine its parts, using the appropriate hand and power tools. They use special devices such as ammeters, voltmeters, digital logic testers, pressure gauges, manometers, and pipe-threading tools to check and repair electric, electronic and gas systems. After determining the problem, technicians estimate the time and cost of repair. Then, with the customer's approval, they make the necessary adjustments, replace worn or defective parts, and install new ones. They may cut, thread, and connect pipe to a feederline. Repairers also test for gas and microwave leaks.
As part of their job, repairers keep records of parts used and time spent on each call and compute the total charge. They also may answer customers' questions or complaints about the appliances and demonstrate their proper use and care. The major employers of Appliance Repairers are department stores, gas companies, electrical and other repair shops, and household appliance stores.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The area set aside for Small Appliance Repairers is usually well lighted, clean, and comfortable. Major Appliance Repairers sometimes work in narrow spaces and uncomfortable positions and may spend hours a day driving.
Although the work generally is safe, repairers can be injured while handling electrical parts or lifting and moving large appliances. They must know how to use tools safely and how to avoid electric shock. Appliance Repairers usually work with little or no direct supervision. This feature of the job appeals to many people. Repairers may be under pressure to complete a certain number of repair jobs each day. Except for the major firms, most employers expect repairers to provide their own hand tools.
Unionization in this occupation is limited. However, Appliance Repairers in some of the larger firms are members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers or the Teamsters Union.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
The following information is from the California Projections of Employment published by the Labor Market Information Division. These figures represent the occupational group Home Appliance and Power Tool Repairers and do not include self-employed or openings due to turnover:
Estimated number of workers in 1993 6,110 Estimated number of workers in 2005 6,350 Projected Growth 1993-2005 4% Estimated openings due to separations by 2005 1,820
(These figures do not include self-employment or openings due to turnover.)
Job growth for Appliance Repairers will be slower than average because the increasing use of electronic parts such as solid state circuitry and sensing devices in appliances reduces the frequency of repairs. About eight times as many jobs will be created by separations--workers who retire or leave the occupation--as by actual growth. The Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair reported 2,500 appliance repair businesses registered in California in 1997, with almost half of all repairers self-employed.
The increasing use of electronic circuitry in major and small electrical appliances as well as the escalating use of microwave technology has significantly changed the training and skills required for this occupation. The repair business fluctuates with the economy: people are more likely to repair their old appliances when the economy is slow, while a healthy economy encourages customers to buy new appliances instead.
The number of Appliance Repairers who work for department stores will decrease through 2005. Household appliance stores, electrical and other repair shops, and electronics stores on the other hand, will add positions for Appliance Repairers more rapidly.
WAGES, HOURS AND FRINGE BENEFITS
Entry wages for Appliance Repairers with no experience start at the minimum wage in some rural California counties, but may reach over $10.00 per hour in more urban areas. New hires with experience earn from minimum wage to about $15.00 per hour, depending on location. Those with three years at a firm can make up to $24.00 or more per hour. Many receive commissions in addition to the hourly rate. Large firms tend to pay more than small ones, and gas appliances generally command higher rates than electrical.
Most large employers offer health plans and vacation pay with time off for illness. A few of the smaller firms do not have fringe benefits. The normal workweek is 40 hours, Monday through Friday. Overtime is occasionally required.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS & TRAINING
Employers usually require a prospective repairer to have a high school diploma, knowledge in basic electricity and electronics and some formal training in appliance repair. Important high school courses include English, algebra and geometry, shop, mechanical drawing, physics and basic electricity and electronics. Business courses are recommended for prospective service technicians who plan to open their own shops.
California requires appliance repair businesses to be certified through the Bureau of Electronic Appliance Repairers. The annual registration fee is $130 for electric and electronic repair and an additional $130 for major appliance repair.
Currently five California community colleges offer certificate and/or associate degree programs in Appliance Service Technology, generally requiring two years to complete. Some students get jobs after only one year of training but are encouraged to continue their studies in evening session classes. A few private vocational schools offer courses covering the basics of major appliance maintenance. Such vocational school courses generally run about 26 to 36 weeks in length.
Some large manufacturers or department store chains conduct formal or informal training programs. Up to five years of training may be required to reach journey-level status, however, persons with prior appliance repair schooling may start at an advanced level. Most small shops provide training on a more informal basis. Typically trainees start by working in the shop, helping with major overhauls, or rebuilding used appliances for resale. Later, trainees accompany experienced technicians on field service calls until they are considered ready to go out on their own.
Repairers who are employed by franchised appliance dealers are required to attend periodic refresher courses. Generally held one or two days a year, these seminars cover new company products and the appropriate repair techniques. Because technicians usually drive a company vehicle, they should have a California driver's license and a good driving record. They must also be able to deal tactfully with all kinds of people and work without direct supervision.
ADVANCEMENT
In large establishments, advancement to shop supervisor or manager is possible. In most repair shops, opportunity for promotion is limited because the firms are small; they may employ only several repairers. Enterprising repairers may become shop owners.
FINDING THE JOB
Employment may be found through newspaper advertisements, unsolicited walk- ins, employment agencies, schools, and training programs. Job seekers should also register with the local California Employment Development Department Job Service office.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair 400 R Street, Suite 3040 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 445-4751 www.ca.gov
RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES
Heating and Air Conditioning Mechanics No. 32 Electronics Repairers No. 222 Stationary Engineers No. 234 Office Machine Servicers No. 405 Field Service Reps (Utility Meters) No. 544
OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES
DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th Ed. 1991) Air-Conditioning Installer-Servicer 637.261-010 Gas-Appliance Servicer 637.261-018 Electrical-Appliance Repairer 723.381-010 Vacuum Cleaner Repairer 723.381-014 Appliance Repairer 723.584-010 Electrical Appliance Servicer 827.261-010 Household Appliance Installer 827.661-010
OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System Home Appliance and Power Tool Repairers 857111
Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
(916) 262-2162.
Home 
Job Key 
Wages 
Demand