Trades & Construction

How to become an Appliance Repair Technician

From no experience: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.

Time to get there

3–9 months

Typical pay

$42k–$65k

Starting from

No experience

Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from no experience and includes any licence or programme legally required — not just course length.

The route

1. 1

   1–3 months

   Learn basic electrical diagnosis

   Multimeter work and reading a wiring diagram. Everything else is disassembly.

   Course that covers thisJourneyman Electrician Exam Practice TestUdemy · around $19.99 →
2. 2

   2–4 weeks

   Get the EPA refrigerant certification

   Legally required to work on any sealed refrigeration system.

   ◆ EPA Section 608

   Course that covers thisEPA 608 Universal Type Practice ExamsUdemy · around $24.99 →
3. 3

   3–6 months

   Start with a service company

   Manufacturer-authorised shops train on their own brands and supply the van.

4. 4

   1–3 years

   Go independent

   This is one of the trades where a solo operator with a good reputation earns most.

5. ✓

   Destination

   Appliance Repair Technician

   Browse jobs now →

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