Compare A Electrical Assembler ↔ B Appliance Service Technician

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3 moves

No pay difference shown for this route: no single published pay schedule names every stop, and the occupation medians are not like for like on every move.

Gates on this route

Move 1, to Instrumentation Technician: license depends on the work (Texas: power wiring needs a TDLR electrician license unless exempt: plant employees in petrochemical and oil and gas (1305.003(a)(14)), low-voltage controls (a)(12), in-house maintenance (a)(8)).
Move 2, to HVAC Technician: Texas: TDLR A/C Technician registration ($20, age 16+) to work under a licensed A/C contractor; contractor license after 48 months. Federal EPA 608 certification to handle refrigerant.
Move 3, to Appliance Service Technician: license depends on the work (Repairing existing appliances for a dealer or maker: no Texas electrician or plumbing license (exempt). Refrigerant work needs federal EPA 608; installing appliances needs TDLR Residential Appliance Installer).

Move 1 Transfer move to the side
Electrical Assembler to Instrumentation Technician
- O*NET lists Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door as a related occupation (Supplemental); skills and knowledge profile similarity r = 0.69 (O*NET related occupation beyond the 6 drawn laterals).
- Gates: license depends on the work (Texas: power wiring needs a TDLR electrician license unless exempt: plant employees in petrochemical and oil and gas (1305.003(a)(14)), low-voltage controls (a)(12), in-house maintenance (a)(8)).
Move 2 Transfer move to the side
Instrumentation Technician to HVAC Technician
- O*NET lists Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers as a related occupation (Supplemental); skills and knowledge profile similarity r = 0.86 (O*NET related occupation beyond the 6 drawn laterals).
- Gates: Texas: TDLR A/C Technician registration ($20, age 16+) to work under a licensed A/C contractor; contractor license after 48 months. Federal EPA 608 certification to handle refrigerant.
Move 3 Transfer move to the side
HVAC Technician to Appliance Service Technician
- O*NET lists Home Appliance Repairers as a related occupation (Primary-Short); skills and knowledge profile similarity r = 0.71.
- Gates: license depends on the work (Repairing existing appliances for a dealer or maker: no Texas electrician or plumbing license (exempt). Refrigerant work needs federal EPA 608; installing appliances needs TDLR Residential Appliance Installer).
- Skills to build: Quality Control Analysis, Repairing, Speaking

Side by side

More than 40 hours a week: Appliance Service Technician 32%, Electrical Assembler 29%.

Outlook 2024 to 2034 whole occupation

A +10.3% Texas, 1,950 openings a year

B +9.5% Texas, 260 openings a year

Over 40 h a week

29%+3 pts32%

Physical load our index from O*NET, 1 to 5; A B; largest differences first

1.9 / 5+0.92.8 / 5

Very hot or cold+2.84Very hot or cold: A 1.03, B 3.87
Cramped space+2.23Cramped space: A 1.87, B 4.1
Kneeling or crawling+2.03Kneeling or crawling: A 1.42, B 3.45
Outdoors, all weather+1.95Outdoors, all weather: A 1.54, B 3.49
Hazardous conditions+1.21Hazardous conditions: A 1.85, B 3.06

Degree

A Most people in this job do not hold a bachelor's degree (O*NET: 17% do).

B Most people in this job do not hold a bachelor's degree (O*NET: 0% do).

License

A No license for this job title at the Texas and federal agencies read on 2026-10-03; electrical equipment makers' employees are exempt from the TDLR electrician license (1305.003(a)(7)).

B Repairing existing appliances for a dealer or maker: no Texas electrician or plumbing license (exempt). Refrigerant work needs federal EPA 608; installing appliances needs TDLR Residential Appliance Installer.

Experience

A Most common related work experience: none (O*NET: 51%).

B Most common related work experience: none (O*NET: 34%).

Skills O*NET importance, 1 to 5

You likely have: 3

Reading Comprehension
Judgment and Decision Making
Time Management

To build: 6

Repairing +2.26
Equipment Maintenance +2.00
Equipment Selection +1.38
Installation +1.25
Troubleshooting +1.24
Service Orientation +1.00

Make this your goal

Save Electrical Assembler to Appliance Service Technician as your goal. Each step then shows the hours you have logged toward it, your exam practice and your license, with the one thing to do next and the 6 skills to build as a checklist. Free with an account.