Career Explorer Installation and repair
Human edge, steady
Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other
All installation, maintenance, and repair workers not listed separately.
More resilient than most: more resilient than 73% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is low (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it moderate), and US jobs are projected to change by +2.6% by 2035, slower than average. The work leans on ethical judgement and physical dexterity.
AI struggles with much of this work. Hiring is expected to grow slower than average, or to shrink.
- Median pay (2025)
- $49,230
- Job growth to 2035
- +2.6%
- Openings a year
- 18,300
- People doing it (2025)
- 205,000
- Usual route in
- High school diploma, then moderate on-the-job training
Where people already use AI for this work
- Adjust equipment to ensure adequate performance
- Determine resource needs of projects or operations
- Diagnose system or equipment problems
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Maintain operational records
- Install energy or heating equipment
- Repair electrical or electronic equipment
What the work looks like
- Adjust power production systems to meet load and distribution demands.
- Monitor and adjust operations of geothermal power plant equipment or systems.
- Prepare and maintain logs, reports, or other documentation of work performed.
- Identify and correct malfunctions of geothermal plant equipment, electrical systems, instrumentation, or controls.
- Collect and record data associated with operating geothermal power plants or well fields.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersHuman edge, growing, Index 94, +10.9%
- Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relayHuman edge, growing, Index 89, +9.7%
- Security and fire alarm systems installersHuman edge, growing, Index 85, +6.8%
- Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical doorHuman edge, growing, Index 74, +4.3%
Also known as: I C and E Technician (Instrumentation, Control, and Electrical Technician), Operations and Maintenance Technician (O and M Technician), Operations Technician, Plant Technician, Geothermal Service Technician, I and C Technician (Instrument and Controls Technician), I and E Technician (Instrumentation and Electrical Technician), Operator Technician.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.