Employment of home appliance repairers is expected to grow 7 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations.
Demand for workers will be driven by an increasing number of appliances being used in homes. The decision to repair an appliance often depends on the price to replace the appliance versus the cost to repair it. So although higher-priced appliances are more likely to be repaired, small and cheaper appliances are increasingly being discarded. With sales of high-end appliances growing, demand for major appliance repairers will be strong in the coming decade, but weaker for those who specialize in small, portable appliances.
Despite slower than average employment growth, job opportunities for home appliance repairers should be very good because of job openings created by workers who retire or leave the occupation for other reasons. A lack of qualified workers in the field will also lead to good job prospects.
Technicians with vocational training in appliance and electronics repair will have better job prospects than those who do not.
Job opportunities at personal and household goods and repair shops should be very good as large electronics retail stores continue to outsource their repair work.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition