Home Appliance Repairers

Appliance Mechanic

Appliance Repair Mechanic

Appliance Repair Technician (Appliance Repair Tech)

Appliance Service Technician

Appliance Technician (Appliance Tech)

Repair Man

Repair Technician

Service Technician (Service Tech)

Vacuum Repairer

What is a Home Appliance Repairer?

Home Appliance Repairers are skilled professionals who specialize in diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining household appliances. These appliances can include refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, ovens, and dishwashers, among others. Repairers work with various mechanical and electronic components to fix issues, ensuring that appliances function efficiently and safely. They often travel to clients' homes or workplaces to provide on-site repairs, using a variety of tools and equipment. In addition to repairing malfunctioning appliances, they may also provide preventative maintenance services, helping customers avoid potential issues and extend the lifespan of their appliances. Home Appliance Repairers must stay updated on the latest technologies and repair techniques to effectively address the complexities of modern appliances.

Job Outlook

Projected salary and job growth

$31100.0 - $72660.0

New job opportunities are less likely in the future. : Below Average

Finding local jobs...

Assessment

Related assessments and tests

No assessment available.

Related Occupations

Tasks

Bill customers for repair work, and collect payment.
Observe and examine appliances during operation to detect specific malfunctions such as loose parts or leaking fluid.
Talk to customers or refer to work orders to establish the nature of appliance malfunctions.
Refer to schematic drawings, product manuals, and troubleshooting guides to diagnose and repair problems.
Trace electrical circuits, following diagrams, and conduct tests with circuit testers and other equipment to locate shorts and grounds.

Technology Skills

Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Excel
Data base user interface and query software
- dESCO ESC
- Parts database software
- RazorSync
- ServiceMax
Electronic mail software
- Microsoft Outlook
Office suite software
- Microsoft Office software
Operating system software
- Microsoft Windows

Tools Used

Socket attachments and accessories
- Socket adapters
- Socket extensions
Specialty wrenches
- Sealed burner wrenches
- Spanner nut wrenches
Retaining ring pliers
- Snap-ring pliers
Pipe or tube cutter
- Mini tubing cutters
Hex keys
- Hex key sets

Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

3 Active Jobs in South Africa

Avg Salary: R17,493pm

Determining Your Readiness for a Career as a Home Appliance Repairer in South Africa

The technical trade sector in South Africa is currently experiencing a significant period of growth. With 1 active jobs currently available and an average salary of R17,493pm, the demand for skilled technicians is undeniable. Notably, market data from 2024 shows a steady upward trajectory in earning potential, with average monthly salaries rising from approximately R15,394 in January to R19,242 by December. This reflects the increasing value placed on professionals who can keep South African households running efficiently.

Is Home Appliance Repair Right for Me? (Psychometric Checklist)

Before committing to this career path, it is essential to assess whether your natural temperament and cognitive strengths align with the demands of the trade. Consider the following checklist:

Mechanical Aptitude: Do you have a natural curiosity about how things work? Do you enjoy taking devices apart and putting them back together?
Diagnostic Logic: Are you able to follow a process of elimination to find the root cause of a problem?
Manual Dexterity: Do you possess the steady hand and coordination required to handle small components and specialised tools?
Customer Service Excellence: Can you remain calm and professional when dealing with frustrated clients in their private homes?
Attention to Detail: Are you disciplined enough to follow complex circuit diagrams and safety protocols meticulously?
Resilience: Are you comfortable working in various environments, sometimes in cramped spaces or under time pressure?

A Day in the Life of a South African Repairer

In the South African context, the day of a Home Appliance Repairer is dynamic and mobile. Your morning typically begins by organising your toolkit and checking your schedule for call-outs across suburbs or industrial hubs. You aren't confined to a desk; instead, you navigate local traffic to reach diverse households.

On-site, you are a detective. You might spend an hour diagnosing a faulty compressor in a fridge or replacing a heating element in a washing machine. A unique aspect of working in South Africa involves advising clients on how to protect their appliances from the electrical surges associated with load shedding. You act as both a technician and a consultant, explaining technical issues in simple terms and providing cost-effective solutions. By mid-afternoon, you may find yourself at a local wholesaler sourcing specific parts before heading to your final appointment of the day.

Education & Upskilling

To enter this field, a combination of formal qualification and hands-on experience is the gold standard. In South Africa, many technicians begin their journey through TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) Colleges, pursuing N-courses (N1–N3) in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering. Achieving a "Red Seal" Trade Test certification is the ultimate benchmark of a qualified artisan in the country.

However, formal degrees are only the starting point. The modern South African home is becoming "smarter," with appliances now featuring complex motherboards and Wi-Fi connectivity. Therefore:

Short Courses: Pursuing brand-specific certifications (such as those offered by Samsung, LG, or Defy) is essential to stay relevant.
Digital Literacy: You must be willing to learn software diagnostics alongside traditional hardware repair.
Continuous Learning: The industry evolves rapidly. Professionals who commit to regular upskilling regarding eco-friendly refrigerants and energy-efficient technologies are the ones who command the highest salaries.

Next Steps

Deciding on a career in appliance repair is a choice to enter a stable, essential, and rewarding industry. If you have the "tinkering" spirit and a drive to solve problems, you are already halfway there. But do you truly have what it takes to thrive in the competitive South African market? Test your readiness now by taking our specialised career assessment to see if you are prepared to power up your future as a professional repairer.

Skills

Repairing
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Equipment Maintenance
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Troubleshooting
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Abilities

Arm-Hand Steadiness
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Finger Dexterity
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Manual Dexterity
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

High school diploma or equivalent

69 %

or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Post-secondary certificate

20 %

Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)
Less than high school diploma

8 %

Work Activities

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Handling and Moving Objects
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Detailed Work Activities

Collect payments for goods or services.
Observe equipment in operation to detect potential problems.
Confer with customers or users to assess problems.
Read work orders or descriptions of problems to determine repairs or modifications needed.
Read technical information needed to perform maintenance or repairs.

Work Interests

Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.