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Appliance Repairers (Home and Garden)

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
Workforce Services Office.

ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair
400 R Street, Suite 3040
Sacramento, CA   95814
(916) 445-4751
http://www.dca.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.