Best Career Paths for Maintenance and Installation Professionals

Working with your hands is fulfilling and satisfying, but there are more opportunities out there than just construction or landscaping. Becoming a maintenance and installation professional in one of many growing industries that can give you a complete career path that is full of opportunities for growth. These industries all change and develop rapidly, meaning you’ll always have something new to learn on the job. Consider one of these four maintenance and installation careers for your next move.

Diesel Service Technicians and Mechanics

Not all diesel service technicians and mechanics are tied to the shop. Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians are often mobile and do their work on the roadside or at a client’s business. When a semi-truck or combine harvester breaks down, it’s more reasonable to go to the equipment than to have it towed to a shop.

Whether you stay in the shop or go on the road as one of the heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says you’ll enjoy a healthy median pay of $47,000. That’s a good income considering most diesel service technicians and mechanics start with little to no training and gain it on the job. If you undertake a study program at a technical school, you’ll likely qualify for higher-paying positions from the start.

Solar Panel and Wind Turbine Technicians

This career path can lead you from working in the fields on the actual equipment to managing entire teams and installations. Wind turbine technicians may have training in welding or other skills from a technical school, while solar installers often seek out electrician certificates to safely work on the panels and wiring. Stick to solar rather than wind installation and maintenance if you’re not comfortable with heights.

Wind turbine technicians take home an average pay of $54,370 per year, according to the BLS, while their data shows that solar technicians earn about $42,000. Solar installation jobs often require less education and offer more on-the-job training than wind turbine technician positions, so it’s not surprising there’s a small difference in pay. Both fields are enjoying higher than average job growth rates, with solar installer demand expected to rise over 60% between now and 2028.

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Small Engine Mechanics

For a focused career path, look into the world of small engine mechanics. Many of these mechanics start out working on larger vehicles and then apply their skills to lawnmowers, tillers, ATVs, and other smaller engines. If you have no experience working on any engines, it’s possible to train in small engine mechanics at almost any technical school in the country. Once you have the right qualifications, you can either work for a manufacturer as a certified repair provider or strike out on your own.

Small engine mechanics running their own shops are only limited by what they charge and the demand for their services, but those working for others tend to earn around $37,000 a year according to the BLS. Plenty of on-the-job training opportunities tend to open up in this career path as older mechanics look for younger generations to take over their businesses.

Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers

Whether you concentrate on telecommunications, wiring in smart home appliances, or want to specialize in audiovisual equipment, there’s a job for you in electrical installation. Electrical and electronics installers and repairers tend to have a wide range of skills depending on the specific industry, but they all share an understanding of basic electrician work and equipment requirements. Anything from installing control boards in an industrial shop to repairing a person’s cell phone can fall under this career path.

Once you train in one field, you’ll find it easier to jump to another since many skills are interrelated. Electrical and electronics installers and repairers earn an average salary of $57,890, but this can vary greatly depending on the exact field and position you choose.

Ready to start a new career? Check out some of the current job listings open here on iHireMaintenanceAndInstallation. Reading up on the job requirements and compensation offers will help you decide which installation and maintenance career path is right for you.