Electric Motor Repairers

At a Glance

Work on motors of various types and sizes
Some travel to customer homes and businesses
Use hand and power tools
Sometimes wear safety gear such as gloves, goggles, or hard hats
Have years of related work experience
Train on the job

Career summary

Electric motor repairers maintain and repair electric motors.

#no corresponding wois occ., checked 3/14/19 lh

Electric motor repairers work on a variety of motors including those found in:

Industrial dryers
Power tools
Generators
Transformers

All electric motor repairers do many of the same tasks. They check motors, wiring, and switches, identify problems, and replace or repair parts.

Electric motor repairers look for basic problems first, such as worn or loose parts. They may use meters such as ammeters, voltmeters, and wattmeters to diagnose problems. If a problem is complex or uncommon, repairers refer to service guides.

To fix engines, repairers take them apart using hand or power tools. They may replace batteries, switches, wires, and other broken parts. They make adjustments to fan belts or voltage levels. Once the corrections are made, repairers put engines back together and test them to make sure they work.

Many repairers, called field or service technicians, travel to factories or customer locations to repair equipment. After making repairs, they document their work and what parts they used. These workers carry replacement parts in their truck and restock them at the end of the day.

Some repairers specialize in large equipment such as generators and transformers used in manufacturing. These engines are so large repairers may use a hoist to lift the generator or transformer out to be repaired.

Repairers use safety measures to make sure others cannot turn on machinery while they are working on it. They also turn off power to prevent electric shock.

Related careers

This career is part of the Manufacturing cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

Military careers

Electrical Products Repairers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to electric motor repairers.

Inspect motors for problems.
Read product manuals to solve problems.
Take apart motors to locate wear and put back together once repairs are complete.
Use test devices to check for problems.
Adjust, replace or repair parts.
Tighten, align, clean, and oil parts.
Use hand and power tools.
Answer questions about care and use of appliances or power tools.
Write up estimates, prepare bills, and collect payments.
Keep records of work done.
Restock parts that were used for repairs.
Remove old parts or system to make repairs.
Assemble electrical parts.
Rewire electrical systems or secure and insulate wires.
Measure space. Cut and install insulation on appliances.
May use computers to set machinery.
Test motors after repairs to make sure they are working properly.

Common work activities

Electric motor repairers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

Identify objects, actions, and events
Get information needed to do the job
Repair and maintain electronic equipment
Repair and maintain mechanical equipment
Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
Control machines and processes
Process information
Organize, plan, and prioritize work
Evaluate information against standards
Make decisions and solve problems
Handle and move objects
Document and record information
Perform activities that use the whole body
Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
Schedule work and activities
Teach others
Update and use job-related knowledge
Coach others
Think creatively
Coordinate the work and activities of others
Explain the meaning of information to others
Establish and maintain relationships
Communicate with people outside the organization
Provide information or drawings about devices, equipment, or structures
Develop and build teams
Judge the value of objects, services, or people
Analyze data or information
Guide, direct, and motivate others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, electric motor repairers:

Interpersonal relationships

Have a medium level of contact with coworkers or customers.
Usually talk to others by telephone and face-to-face discussions.
Are moderately responsible for the safety of others when they repair batteries.
Occasionally are placed in conflict situations in which others may become rude or angry.
Are somewhat responsible for the work done by others.
May work as part of a team.

Physical work conditions

Sometimes wear protective work gloves, safety goggles, or hard hats.
Often work indoors in a repair shop or at someone's home. Transformer repairers often work outdoors.
Are often exposed to battery acid if they repair or recycle batteries, and other contaminants.
Are often exposed to loud sounds and distracting noise levels when working.
Are regularly exposed to hazardous equipment.
Are often exposed to hazardous conditions and situations.
May be exposed to very hot or cold temperatures. Indoor work locations are often not temperature-controlled.
Sometimes must work in very dim or very bright lighting.
Occasionally work in cramped places when replacing or repairing batteries.
Sometimes wear a special uniform if they work with the public.
May work physically near others.

Work performance

Must fully complete and be exact in their work. Errors could be serious because faulty motors could shock someone or catch fire.
Must allow the pace of work to be dictated by the speed of equipment.
Rarely consult others before making decisions.
Set most of their daily tasks and goals without consulting others. May seek input from a supervisor from time to time.
Must meet strict weekly deadlines.

Hours/travel

May visit customers' homes if repairing appliances.
May spend many hours driving trucks or vans to service or emergency calls.
Usually work 40-hour weeks. Some may work morning, evening, or weekend shifts.
May work overtime or weekends during emergencies or busy seasons.

Physical demands

Electric motor repairers frequently:

Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
Stand for long periods of time.
Repeat the same movements.
Bend or twist their body.
Kneel, stoop, crouch, or crawl.

It is important for electric motor repairers to be able to:

Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
Determine the distance between objects.
Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for electric motor repairers to be able to:

Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
Understand the speech of another person.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
Move arms and legs quickly.
Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
See objects in very bright or glaring light.
Determine from which direction a sound came.
Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.

Skills and abilities

Electric motor repairers need to:

Communicate

Listen to others and ask questions.
Understand spoken information.
Understand written information.
Read and understand work-related materials.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.

Reason and problem solve

Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
Recognize the nature of a problem.
Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
Make sense of information that seems without meaning or organization.
Develop rules that group items in various ways.
Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.

Work with things

Repair machines or systems.
Determine the causes of technical problems and find solutions for them.
Maintain equipment on a routine basis. Determine when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Inspect and evaluate the quality of products.
Determine the tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operate and control equipment.
Install equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.

Perceive and visualize

Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.
Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

Electrical and Electronics Equipment Installation and Repair

Other programs of study to consider

Training

To work as an electric motor repairer, you typically need to:

have a high school diploma or equivalent;
have one to five years of related work experience; and
complete moderate-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

Some electric motor repairers learn their skills through formal training programs. Professional-technical schools and two-year colleges offer programs in electrical equipment installation and repair. In these programs you learn about electrical circuitry, simple gearing, and linkages.

Some manufacturers offer training programs that lead to a certificate. These programs cover a variety of motors and appliances or focus on a specific type of motor.

Work experience

Most people prepare for this occupation by working up to it. You typically begin by helping in machine or electrical workshops, gaining experience with tools and motors.

On-the-job training

Most electric motor repairers learn additional skills on the job from experienced workers. Usually you begin by working on one type of motor. As you gain skills, you learn to repair other types of motors and appliances. Training includes:

blueprint reading;
use of tools and equipment;
equipment repair; and
safety procedures.

Training lasts up to one year.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be electrical products repairers. Training lasts four to 22 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training is on the job.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum (external link) may be different from your state's graduation requirements .

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

Appliance Repair
Blueprint Reading
Drafting
Electronics
Equipment Maintenance and Repair

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups (PDF file) that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers require electric motor repairers to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Employers prefer to hire people who have formal training in appliance repair and electronics.

Employers look for people who have mechanical skills. Repairers also need good eye-hand coordination. Employers prefer to hire repairers who are polite and helpful because they will be interacting with customers.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website (external link) .

Wages

Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers (SOC 49-2092)

Location	Pay Period
Location	Pay Period	10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
Washington	Hourly	$16.77	$19.95	$26.33	$37.54	$45.46
	Monthly	$2,906	$3,457	$4,563	$6,506	$7,878
	Yearly	$34,890	$41,490	$54,760	$78,080	$94,560
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	Hourly	$20.11	$32.81	$38.46	$44.71	$49.05
	Monthly	$3,485	$5,686	$6,665	$7,748	$8,500
	Yearly	$41,825	$68,250	$80,003	$92,997	$102,038
Spokane-Spokane Valley	Hourly	$16.23	$18.52	$22.09	$26.42	$30.74
	Monthly	$2,813	$3,210	$3,828	$4,579	$5,327
	Yearly	$33,745	$38,505	$45,946	$54,955	$63,949
Vancouver	Hourly	$15.54	$18.12	$23.36	$27.77	$30.47
	Monthly	$2,693	$3,140	$4,048	$4,813	$5,280
	Yearly	$32,309	$37,696	$48,574	$57,774	$63,364
United States	Hourly	$12.77	$16.23	$20.60	$26.42	$33.79
	Monthly	$2,213	$2,813	$3,570	$4,579	$5,856
	Yearly	$26,560	$33,760	$42,840	$54,950	$70,280

Pay varies by the type of equipment being repaired and the repairer's skill level. Trainees usually earn less and senior technicians more. Earnings tend to be highest in large firms. Repairers are paid extra for working overtime, weekends, or holidays. Some electric motor repairers belong to unions. They often are paid more than non-union employees.

Electric motor repairers who work full time often receive benefits. Benefits may include health insurance, sick leave, and paid vacation.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers (SOC 49-2092)

		This occupation	All occupations
Location	Current employment	Growth over 10 years		Annual openings
Washington	316	4.1%	16.1%	32
Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties	21	14.3%	13.4%	3
Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties	36	5.6%	15.2%	3
Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties	28	0.0%	14.1%	3
Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties	24	25.0%	14.6%	3
King County	93	1.1%	19.6%	9
Snohomish County	18	-5.6%	12.4%	2
Spokane County	24	4.2%	13.9%	2
United States	17,200	3.5%	5.2%	1,900

National employment

Major employers:

Electrical repair shops
Electrical appliance wholesalers
Electrical contractors

National outlook

Growth will be slower than average for this occupation because repair tasks are being simplified. New electric motors are designed so that repairs can be done more easily and are required less often. Despite the minimal growth, jobs will be available as current repairers retire or leave this occupation for other reasons.

Other resources

MCMA: Motion Control and Motor Association
900 Victors Way, Suite 140
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
734.494.6088

Washington Business Week
PO Box 1170
Renton, WA 98057
253.237.3545

References

Career cluster

Manufacturing

Career path

Realistic (Technical)

O*Net occupation

Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers (49-2092.00)

O*Net job zone

Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.