Major Appliance Tech Salary
Few things are more frustrating and stressful to a large family than having its washer or dryer or other appliance malfunction. While some can repair an appliance with help from websites devoted to such, many turn to the professionals. Repairing appliances, while requiring substantial training, can be a lucrative field. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, appliance repair is an over $2 billion business. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the industry employs nearly 50,000 people. The salary of an appliance tech varies depending on several factors.
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Salary and Benefits
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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average home appliance repairer makes $36,490 annually. Entry-level members of this profession average $20,400, while certified master technicians in the top 90 percent of the wage scale average $56,500 per year. Most appliance techs employed by an appliance retail chain will also likely have an array of benefits, such as health and dental insurance and retirement accounts, while self-employed techs must supply their own benefits.
Education and Experience
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Most appliance technician positions do not require a formal, four-year degree. Having an existing certification and experience will likely result in you receiving a higher starting wage. Some companies, however, require either an existing industry certification or an agreement to get certified within a prescribed time. The industry standard certification is called the National Appliance Service Technician Certification. This certification evaluates your skill in four categories: basic skills, refrigeration and air conditioning, cooking and laundry, and dish washing. As part of your air conditioning certification, you must also certify in EPA refrigerant recovery. You may also be required to perform regular, continuing education to learn new technologies as they arrive.
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Work Environment
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Work environment can also relate directly to your wage as an appliance tech. One primary way is to work extra hours. Appliances do not only break during business hours, and critical appliances such as a refrigerator, freezer or air conditioner often cannot wait until the next day for repair. Many companies charge an after-hours labor rate to compensate an employee for being on-call and assisting customers at unusual times. If you are willing to serve this function, you will have a higher yearly salary.
Job Outlook
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The BLS estimates modest growth rates of only 2 percent for this job field, mostly due to the small number of qualified and certified techs available. This places you in a good wage negotiation position, especially as experienced employees begin to retire. You can further enhance your job outlook and potential wages by adding additional skills which overlap with some repair service providers, such as electronics and computer repair.
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References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Home Appliance Repairers
- U.S. Census Bureau: Appliance Repair and Maintenance
- The International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians: General Information About ISCET Certification
- Careerplanner.com: Job Duties and Tasks for: "Home Appliance Repairer"
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Home Appliance Repairers
Resources
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