Appliance repair is a highly demanded service all over the United States. With around five major appliances in each household, many homeowners prefer having a reliable appliance repair technician’s number in their phonebook.
To become an appliance repair technician, you need education, training, licensing, and experience. While the competition on the appliance repair market is substantial, only a limited number of companies are true industry leaders. That’s because they hire top-notch technicians.
Let’s take a closer look at the steps you need to take to become an appliance repair technician.
What does an appliance repair technician do?
An appliance repair technician is an expert who repairs damaged appliances and offers maintenance for functioning units. These professionals can install appliances, implement maintenance plans, and provide minor and major repairs.
In many cases, a repair technician specializes in handling appliances from a specific manufacturer. Experienced technicians can usually repair a piece of equipment regardless of which company manufactured it.
Appliance repair technicians usually travel to people’s homes to install, maintain, or repair appliances on the spot. They diagnose the problem, procure spare parts (if necessary), install those parts, and fix the damage.
According to experts from Tampa appliance repair, Hartman, in rare cases, a technician may decide to remove the appliance from the household and repair it at the manufacturer’s factory.
The average salary of the appliance repair technician in the United States is around $47,000.
1. Do the Research
Before you take any further steps to become an appliance repair technician, you need to do your research. Different states have different requirements for these professionals. In some states you may need specific licenses, others may require certain education.
In the majority of places, you don’t need a college diploma to become an appliance repair expert. However, to be hired, you may need to demonstrate specific skills.
Find out what companies put under “duties” and “requirements” in job postings in your area. This can give you an approximate idea of what to expect. When looking at offered figures, remember, if you don’t have experience, you can only count on base salary.
2. Look into Your Education
While you rarely need higher education to become an appliance repair technician, many companies will ask for a high school diploma or a GED equivalent for employment. Some businesses will ask if you’ve gone through applied technician training.
Depending on the type of appliances you want to work with, you would need to learn how to do it. Consider looking into training, courses, and additional education. If you complete local appliance repair training, you can have an easier time getting a job.
Additionally, you could look into courses that teach electrical work, woodworking, computer systems, and more.
Today, you can find many training opportunities online. While on-hand experience matters, some education can be done remotely.
3. Obtain Licenses
If you are ready to start working with appliances, you need to obtain a license. You may need a license to handle specific appliances. For example, for refrigerator and air conditioner repair, you need EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) certification. Research license requirements in your state.
Additionally, you may want to consider getting the National Appliance Service Technician Certification. This certification looks excellent on a resume. Remember that you may need a driver’s license to drive the company van.
4. Find a Job
To become a highly demanded appliance repair technician, you need to gain experience. As soon as you complete your training and get all appropriate licenses, try to find a job. At first, the salary may not be too high. However, you will get the much-needed hands-on experience.
As you become more and more experienced in appliance repair, you can expect to move up the career ladder.
Remember, even while you are working, you can continue getting an education. Ask your employer about courses that could improve your qualification.
The Takeaway
To become an appliance repair technician, you need to receive training, obtain the necessary licenses, and practice, practice, practice.
Any technicians who start out working for appliance repair companies end up starting their own businesses. While an appliance repair business requires more time and investments than a regular job, it’s an excellent way to get the most out of your skills.