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What does an installation helper do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read

Installation helpers are skilled employees who are responsible for observing equipment and machinery to verify their efficient and safe operations. These helpers are required to assist in troubleshooting equipment after the installation while identifying defects to ensure a timely repair or return of the equipment. They must be skillful in using a variety of hand tools and power tools so that they can install equipment and repair broken parts. Installation helpers must also operate company vehicles such as trucks, forklifts, and construction vehicles.

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Installation helper responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real installation helper resumes:

  • Manage paperwork associate with HVAC procedures.
  • Help with plumbing installs water heaters and all other trouble shooting calls.
  • Help installed PVC air piping systems in factories.
  • Install PVC Intake/Exhaust into concentric and non concentric systems.
  • Install humidifiers into systems and connect water drains and pipes.
  • Install air conditioning systems, brazing, evacuate and charge systems.
  • Assist in maintenance and cleaning of ventilation and air conditioning and furnace units.
  • Utilize the safety materials, such as: belt, goggles, gloves and ladders.
  • Measure, cut, pre-fit and frame siding, sheetrock, tile, stone decks.
  • Demonstrate attention to detail while assisting installer with carpet, hardwood, ceramic, and vinyl.
  • Assist with the removal and installation of heater units, coils, duct work, and condensers.
  • maintain, repair and troubleshoot all plant and production relate mechanical and electrical systems, machinery and equipment.
  • Clean up before and after installation, including vacuuming carpet, sweeping hardwood, and discarding remnant pieces.
  • Assist with installing and repairing ac units, including clean ducts, change filters, remove & haul material.
  • Experience using ladders, cordless drills, assembling, measuring, and completing jobs in a timely and efficient manner.

Installation helper skills and personality traits

We calculated that 31% of Installation Helpers are proficient in Customer Service, HVAC, and Work Ethic. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Time-management skills, and Troubleshooting skills.

We break down the percentage of Installation Helpers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 31%

    Read job layouts, take accurate measurements using a tape measure great attitude, customer service skills and safety consciousness.

  • HVAC, 15%

    Installed HVAC systems* Read blue prints accurately* Exercised all safety regulations

  • Work Ethic, 7%

    Awarded a bonus and raise for having a positive attitude, good work ethic and being a team player.

  • Hand Tools, 6%

    Fabricate and assemble structural and functional components of refrigeration system, using hand tools, power tools, and pneumatic tools.

  • Furnaces, 6%

    Assisted lead technician in removal and replacement of non-operational furnaces and air conditioning units.

  • Ventilation, 4%

    Assisted in maintenance and cleaning of ventilation and air conditioning and furnace units.

Most installation helpers use their skills in "customer service," "hvac," and "work ethic" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential installation helper responsibilities here:

Customer-service skills. The most essential soft skill for an installation helper to carry out their responsibilities is customer-service skills. This skill is important for the role because "hvacr technicians often work in customers’ homes or business offices, so it is important that they be friendly, polite, and punctual." Additionally, an installation helper resume shows how their duties depend on customer-service skills: "completed all hvac system installations efficiently and accurately; made customers happy. "

Time-management skills. Many installation helper duties rely on time-management skills. "hvacr technicians frequently have a set number of daily maintenance calls," so an installation helper will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways installation helper responsibilities rely on time-management skills: "assisted installer with granite counter tops made sure everything ran smoothly and on time learned quickly to double psr's production time"

Troubleshooting skills. installation helpers are also known for troubleshooting skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to installation helper responsibilities, because "hvacr technicians must be able to identify problems on malfunctioning heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems and then determine the best way to repair them." An installation helper resume example shows how troubleshooting skills is used in the workplace: "use various hand tools, power tools and troubleshooting equipment. "

Math skills. For certain installation helper responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "math skills." The day-to-day duties of an installation helper rely on this skill, as "hvacr technicians need to calculate the correct load requirements to ensure that the hvacr equipment properly heats or cools the space required." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what installation helpers do: "incorporate the use of mathematics and creativity when fabricating support systems. "

Detail oriented. A commonly-found skill in installation helper job descriptions, "detail oriented" is essential to what installation helpers do. Installation helper responsibilities rely on this skill because "hvacr technicians must carefully maintain records of all work performed." You can also see how installation helper duties rely on detail oriented in this resume example: "demonstrated attention to detail while assisting installer with carpet, hardwood, ceramic, and vinyl. "

Mechanical skills. Another skill commonly found on installation helper job descriptions is "mechanical skills." It can come up quite often in installation helper duties, since "hvacr technicians install and work on complicated climate-control systems, so they must understand the hvac components and be able to properly assemble, disassemble, and, if needed, program them." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day installation helper responsibilities: "handle tasks of assisting technicians in the installation of hvac units, including electronic and mechanical components. "

All installation helper skills

The three companies that hire the most installation helpers are:

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Compare different installation helpers

Installation helper vs. Hvac apprentice

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) apprentices are trainees who work under HVAC maintenance workers. They train under HVAC maintenance workers to gain actual, on-the-job experience. To be an apprentice, one should have a formal training background related to HVAC repair and maintenance. They may be enrolled in a technical-vocational school specializing in HVAC repair and maintenance. As such, apprenticeship is part of their curriculum or class requirements. During their apprenticeship, HVAC apprentices will experience installing, diagnosing, repair, and maintaining HVAC units firsthand.

We looked at the average installation helper salary and compared it with the wages of a hvac apprentice. Generally speaking, hvac apprentices are paid $2,165 higher than installation helpers per year.Even though installation helpers and hvac apprentices are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require customer service, work ethic, and hand tools in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an installation helper are more likely to require skills like "hvac," "furnaces," "install windows," and "tape measure." On the other hand, a job as a hvac apprentice requires skills like "customer satisfaction," "preventative maintenance," "ladders," and "air-conditioning systems." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Hvac apprentices really shine in the health care industry with an average salary of $41,468. Comparatively, installation helpers tend to make the most money in the health care industry with an average salary of $35,367.The education levels that hvac apprentices earn slightly differ from installation helpers. In particular, hvac apprentices are 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an installation helper. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Installation helper vs. Shop assistant

A shop assistant is primarily responsible for handling customers and maintaining the upkeep of a sales floor in a retail store. They are in charge of greeting customers, answering inquiries, offering assistance, recommending products, and handling complaints. A shop assistant also has duties that involve receiving, verifying, processing, and sorting shipments from suppliers, managing inventory, and re-stocking shelves while keeping them presentable. To maintain the sales floor's cleanliness, a shop assistant may also perform light chores and keep all equipment organized. Furthermore, it is essential to accomplish tasks while adhering to the policies and regulations of the company.

Shop assistant positions earn lower pay than installation helper roles. They earn a $692 lower salary than installation helpers per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both installation helpers and shop assistants have skills such as "customer service," "routine maintenance," and "unload trucks. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, installation helper responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "hvac," "work ethic," "hand tools," and "furnaces." Meanwhile, a shop assistant has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer vehicles," "cnc," "sales floor," and "machine shop." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Shop assistants may earn a lower salary than installation helpers, but shop assistants earn the most pay in the construction industry with an average salary of $32,963. On the other hand, installation helpers receive higher pay in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $35,367.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Shop assistants tend to reach similar levels of education than installation helpers. In fact, they're 1.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Installation helper vs. Pump servicer helper

Helpers are employed by families or homeowners to provide overall assistance in the house. They are usually assigned to do household chores such as cleaning the house, doing the laundry, cooking meals, and tending the garden. They may also be assigned to do groceries or even drive the family around. They take care of children at home and assist them with their schoolwork should it be needed. They also address any other needs that the family may require assistance with. Helpers are expected to be patient and trustworthy since they will be working closely with the family members.

On average, pump servicer helpers earn lower salaries than installation helpers, with a $765 difference per year.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from installation helper resumes include skills like "customer service," "work ethic," "hand tools," and "furnaces," whereas a pump servicer helper is more likely to list skills in "grass," "dig," "mowing," and "vital signs. "

When it comes to education, pump servicer helpers tend to earn higher degree levels compared to installation helpers. In fact, they're 6.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Installation helper vs. Helper

Helpers average a lower salary than the annual salary of installation helpers. The difference is about $577 per year.While their salaries may vary, installation helpers and helpers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "hvac," "safety procedures," and "tape measure. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. An installation helper uses "customer service," "work ethic," "hand tools," and "furnaces." Helpers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "food handling," "safety rules," "physical labor," and "windows. "The utilities industry tends to pay the highest salaries for helpers, with average annual pay of $36,088. Comparatively, the highest installation helper annual salary comes from the health care industry.The average resume of helpers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to installation helpers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.

Types of installation helper

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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