Home Appliance Repairers

Home Appliance Repairers score 15 out of 100, which is low exposure to AI. That ranks #692 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 31 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 2 on its own and 4 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 2 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

15/ 100

Low

Rank: #692of 923 jobs
US workers: 32,150BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $50,990a year
In real AI use: 2 of 31tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 2 (6%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 4 (13%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 25 (81%)

Record maintenance and repair work performed on appliances.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Instruct customers regarding operation and care of appliances, and provide information such as emergency service numbers.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Bill customers for repair work, and collect payment.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Talk to customers or refer to work orders to establish the nature of appliance malfunctions.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Refer to schematic drawings, product manuals, and troubleshooting guides to diagnose and repair problems.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Provide repair cost estimates, and recommend whether appliance repair or replacement is a better choice.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Observe and examine appliances during operation to detect specific malfunctions such as loose parts or leaking fluid.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Trace electrical circuits, following diagrams, and conduct tests with circuit testers and other equipment to locate shorts and grounds.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Replace worn and defective parts such as switches, bearings, transmissions, belts, gears, circuit boards, or defective wiring.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Disassemble appliances so that problems can be diagnosed and repairs can be made.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Respond to emergency calls for problems such as gas leaks.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Service and repair domestic electrical or gas appliances, such as clothes washers, refrigerators, stoves, and dryers.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Reassemble units after repairs are made, making adjustments and cleaning and lubricating parts as needed.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Test and examine gas pipelines and equipment to locate leaks and faulty connections, and to determine the pressure and flow of gas.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Light and adjust pilot lights on gas stoves, and examine valves and burners for gas leakage and specified flame.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Contact supervisors or offices to receive repair assignments.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Maintain stocks of parts used in on-site installation, maintenance, and repair of appliances.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Level refrigerators, adjust doors, and connect water lines to water pipes for ice makers and water dispensers, using hand tools.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Observe and test operation of appliances following installation, and make any initial installation adjustments that are necessary.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Set appliance thermostats, and check to ensure that they are functioning properly.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Install appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and stoves.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Level washing machines and connect hoses to water pipes, using hand tools.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Clean and reinstall parts.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Clean, lubricate, and touch up minor defects on newly installed or repaired appliances.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Conserve, recover, and recycle refrigerants used in cooling systems.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Install gas pipes and water lines to connect appliances to existing gas lines or plumbing.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Take measurements to determine if appliances will fit in installation locations, performing minor carpentry work when necessary to ensure proper installation.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Measure, cut, and thread pipe, and connect it to feeder lines and equipment or appliances, using rules and hand tools.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Assemble new or reconditioned appliances.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Disassemble and reinstall existing kitchen cabinets, or assemble and install prefabricated kitchen cabinets and trim in conjunction with appliance installation.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Hang steel supports from beams or joists to hold hoses, vents, and gas pipes in place.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

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Questions about home appliance repairers and AI

Will AI replace home appliance repairers?

Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Home Appliance Repairers score 15 out of 100 (low exposure), #692 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 6 of the job's 31 tasks, 2 of them on its own, while 25 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which home appliance repairers tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Record maintenance and repair work performed on appliances"; "Instruct customers regarding operation and care of appliances, and provide information such as emergency service numbers".

Which home appliance repairers tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Observe and examine appliances during operation to detect specific malfunctions such as loose parts or leaking fluid"; "Trace electrical circuits, following diagrams, and conduct tests with circuit testers and other equipment to locate shorts and grounds"; "Replace worn and defective parts such as switches, bearings, transmissions, belts, gears, circuit boards, or defective wiring".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 2 of the 31 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as home appliance repairers, and what do they earn?

About 32,150 people in the US, with median pay of $50,990 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.