Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
SOC Code: 49-2094.00
Installation, Maintenance & RepairElectrical and electronics repairers of commercial and industrial equipment keep critical business and manufacturing systems operational by diagnosing and fixing complex electronic and electrical failures. With a median salary of $71,300, these technicians work on a wide range of equipment from industrial control systems and programmable logic controllers to commercial kitchen equipment and medical devices. Their expertise ensures that businesses avoid costly downtime and maintain productive operations across every industry sector. As industrial equipment becomes increasingly sophisticated and interconnected, the demand for skilled repairers who can bridge traditional electrical knowledge with modern digital systems continues to grow.
Salary Overview
Median
$71,300
25th Percentile
$56,750
75th Percentile
$85,160
90th Percentile
$103,060
Salary Distribution
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Growth Rate
-0.8%
New Openings
4,700
Outlook
Little or no change
Key Skills
Knowledge Areas
What They Do
- Examine work orders and converse with equipment operators to detect equipment problems and to ascertain whether mechanical or human errors contributed to the problems.
- Develop or modify industrial electronic devices, circuits, or equipment, according to available specifications.
- Advise management regarding customer satisfaction, product performance, or suggestions for product improvements.
- Send defective units to the manufacturer or to a specialized repair shop for repair.
- Test faulty equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using test equipment or software, and applying knowledge of the functional operation of electronic units and systems.
- Maintain equipment logs that record performance problems, repairs, calibrations, or tests.
- Inspect components of industrial equipment for accurate assembly and installation or for defects, such as loose connections or frayed wires.
- Operate equipment to demonstrate proper use or to analyze malfunctions.
Tools & Technology
★ = Hot Technology (in-demand)
Education Requirements
Typical entry-level education: Associate's Degree
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A Day in the Life
A typical day starts with reviewing service requests, prioritizing urgent breakdowns over scheduled maintenance tasks to minimize client downtime. Repairers travel to commercial facilities, manufacturing plants, or hospitals to diagnose malfunctioning equipment using oscilloscopes, meggers, thermal cameras, and proprietary diagnostic software. Troubleshooting often involves analyzing PLC programs, reading ladder logic diagrams, and tracing signal paths through complex control circuits to isolate faults. Once the problem is identified, technicians replace defective boards, rebuild power supplies, repair motor drives, or reconfigure control parameters to restore equipment operation. They perform comprehensive functional testing after repairs, verifying that all safety interlocks, sensors, and control loops operate correctly before returning equipment to service. Back at the shop, repairers perform bench-level component repair on circuit boards, rebuilding power supplies, replacing capacitors, and reflowing solder joints on boards pulled from the field. Documentation includes detailed service reports, parts usage logs, and maintenance recommendations that inform future service planning. Communication with equipment manufacturers' technical support teams and parts departments is a regular activity when dealing with rare failures or obsolete components.
Work Environment
Commercial and industrial equipment repairers work in diverse environments that change frequently as they move between customer sites and shop facilities. Manufacturing floors can be hot, noisy, and dusty, requiring hearing protection, safety glasses, and sometimes respiratory equipment. Hospital and laboratory settings demand attention to cleanliness and infection control protocols while working near sensitive patient-care equipment. Field service work involves significant driving time between customer locations, with some positions requiring regional travel or occasional overnight stays. Shop environments provide workbenches for bench repair, calibration, and component-level diagnostics in more controlled and comfortable conditions. Working hours typically follow a standard schedule, but emergency breakdown calls can extend into evenings and weekends, especially for technicians serving critical operations. The culture values reliability, adaptability, and customer service skills alongside technical competence, as technicians are often the face of their company at client sites. Employers typically provide service vehicles, tool sets, laptops, and mobile diagnostic equipment, creating a mobile office for field technicians.
Career Path & Advancement
Entry into this career typically requires an associate degree in electrical technology, electronics, or industrial maintenance, combined with strong hands-on aptitude. Many technicians gain foundational skills through military electronics training, industrial apprenticeships, or electromechanical trade programs before entering commercial and industrial repair. New repairers usually start as assistants or junior technicians, accompanying experienced colleagues on service calls and handling straightforward repairs under supervision. Progressive skill development over two to four years leads to independent work status, where technicians handle complex repairs and customer relationships autonomously. Manufacturer-specific certifications on equipment such as Siemens, Allen-Bradley, or ABB systems enhance credentials and enable access to exclusive parts and technical resources. Advancement pathways include senior field service engineer, regional service manager, or technical trainer positions for those who demonstrate leadership alongside technical excellence. Some experienced repairers transition into applications engineering, helping customers select and configure equipment, or into reliability engineering, focusing on preventing equipment failures. The $71,300 median salary reflects solid mid-career compensation with significant upside potential for those who develop niche expertise in high-demand equipment categories.
Specializations
The commercial and industrial equipment repair field encompasses several specialized domains, each requiring distinct technical knowledge. Industrial automation repairers focus on PLCs, human-machine interfaces, variable frequency drives, and robotic systems used in manufacturing and process industries. Commercial food equipment technicians maintain and repair cooking, refrigeration, and food processing equipment used in restaurants, hospitals, and institutional kitchens. Medical equipment repairers, also known as biomedical equipment technicians, service diagnostic imaging systems, patient monitors, infusion pumps, and laboratory analyzers. UPS and power conditioning specialists maintain uninterruptible power supply systems, power distribution units, and power quality equipment for data centers and critical facilities. Building automation repairers service HVAC control systems, fire alarm panels, access control systems, and energy management systems in commercial buildings. Welding equipment repair technicians maintain industrial welding machines, cutting systems, and related automation in fabrication shops and manufacturing plants. Each specialization carries its own certification pathways and employer types, allowing repairers to tailor their careers to personal interests and market demand.
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- ✓The median salary of $71,300 provides solid compensation with significant growth potential through specialization and experience.
- ✓Every day presents different challenges across diverse equipment types and customer environments, preventing monotony.
- ✓The satisfaction of restoring critical equipment to operation and solving complex technical puzzles provides strong intrinsic motivation.
- ✓Growing demand and a retiring workforce create excellent job security and negotiating leverage for skilled repairers.
- ✓Field service roles offer independence and autonomy, with technicians managing their own schedules and customer relationships.
- ✓Skills are transferable across industries, as electronic repair principles apply whether the equipment is in a factory, hospital, or data center.
- ✓Continuous exposure to new technologies and equipment keeps the work intellectually stimulating and skills current.
Challenges
- ✗Emergency callouts and unpredictable customer needs can disrupt personal plans and extend working hours beyond standard schedules.
- ✗Significant driving time between customer sites reduces productive work time and can be fatiguing, especially in large service territories.
- ✗Working with high-voltage equipment and in industrial environments carries inherent safety risks requiring constant vigilance.
- ✗Physical demands including lifting heavy equipment, working in awkward positions, and spending extended time on feet can strain the body.
- ✗Dealing with frustrated customers whose operations are impacted by equipment failures requires patience and strong interpersonal skills.
- ✗Keeping current with rapidly evolving technology across multiple equipment brands demands continuous self-directed learning.
- ✗Parts availability issues for obsolete or specialty equipment can delay repairs and complicate customer relationship management.
Industry Insight
The commercial and industrial equipment repair industry is being transformed by several technological and market trends. The Internet of Things is enabling remote diagnostics and predictive maintenance, allowing repairers to identify and prepare for equipment failures before they cause downtime. Legacy equipment obsolescence is a growing challenge, as manufacturers discontinue support for older systems that many businesses still depend on, creating demand for repairers who can maintain aging equipment. Cybersecurity concerns are emerging as industrial equipment becomes network-connected, requiring repairers to understand network security principles alongside traditional electronics skills. The skilled labor shortage in the trades is intensifying, with experienced repairers retiring faster than new technicians enter the field, driving wages upward. Augmented reality tools and remote expert support are beginning to assist field technicians, providing real-time guidance for complex repairs through smart glasses and mobile devices. Contract and third-party service models are growing as companies seek to reduce in-house maintenance headcount while maintaining equipment reliability. The $71,300 median salary is competitive within the trades and is expected to trend higher as the supply-demand imbalance for qualified technicians continues.
How to Break Into This Career
Aspiring commercial and industrial equipment repairers should pursue an associate degree or certificate program in electronics, electrical technology, or industrial maintenance with emphasis on hands-on laboratory work. Gaining experience through internships at manufacturing companies, service organizations, or equipment dealers provides exposure to real-world repair scenarios and builds professional references. Developing competency in PLC programming basics, motor control circuits, and power supply troubleshooting covers the technical foundations most employers expect from entry-level candidates. Starting as an in-house maintenance technician at a manufacturing facility builds a foundation of repair skills across multiple equipment types before specializing. Earning industry certifications such as the Electronics Technicians Association Certified Electronics Technician (CET) or manufacturer-specific credentials demonstrates competence to hiring managers. Building a personal toolkit and demonstrating comfort with common hand tools, soldering equipment, and test instruments signals hands-on readiness to potential employers. Developing strong communication and customer service skills is essential, as field repairers must explain complex technical issues to non-technical equipment operators and managers. Networking with equipment sales representatives and attending industry trade shows like the International Manufacturing Technology Show creates connections to service organizations that are frequently hiring.
Career Pivot Tips
The problem-solving abilities and broad technical knowledge developed as a commercial and industrial equipment repairer create versatile career pivot options. Strong diagnostic and troubleshooting skills translate effectively into industrial automation engineering, controls engineering, or systems integration roles with additional education or certifications. Customer relationship management and field service experience prepare technicians for technical sales, applications engineering, or account management positions with equipment manufacturers. Biomedical equipment repair experience creates a natural pathway into healthcare technology management, clinical engineering, or medical device quality assurance. Building automation repair skills transfer to energy management, sustainability consulting, or facilities management careers as buildings become smarter and more energy-conscious. Technicians who develop training and mentoring skills can transition into corporate training, vocational instruction, or technical documentation roles. Reliability engineering and predictive maintenance analytics positions are increasingly accessible to experienced repairers who develop data analysis competencies. The independent work style and adaptability cultivated through field service work also makes experienced repairers well-suited for consulting or launching independent repair service businesses.
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