Introduction
Valve and Regulator Repairers specialize in inspecting, maintaining, and repairing valves and regulators that control the flow of gases, liquids, and steam in industrial systems.
These components are essential in oil and gas, power plants, chemical processing, water treatment, and manufacturing industries. Because valves and regulators operate under high pressure, repairers play a critical role in safety, efficiency, and reliability.
What Does a Valve and Regulator Repairer Do?
- Inspection: Checking valves and regulators for leaks, corrosion, or malfunction.
- Testing: Measuring pressure, flow rates, and response times with diagnostic equipment.
- Repair & Replacement: Disassembling and reassembling valves, replacing seals, springs, and diaphragms.
- Calibration: Adjusting regulators for proper performance.
- Maintenance: Cleaning, lubricating, and ensuring compliance with safety standards.
- Emergency Response: Fixing faulty valves in high-risk environments to prevent accidents or downtime.
Work may take place in factories, refineries, power plants, or water systems, often in industrial settings.
Average Requirements
Education
- Minimum: High school diploma or GED.
- Preferred: Vocational training in industrial maintenance or mechanical technology.
Skills
- Strong mechanical aptitude.
- Ability to read blueprints, schematics, and technical manuals.
- Knowledge of hydraulics, pneumatics, and fluid mechanics.
- Attention to detail and safety awareness.
- Problem-solving skills for high-pressure environments.
Certifications & Licensing
- OSHA safety training.
- Hazardous materials and confined-space certifications.
- Some employers prefer NCCER or manufacturer certifications.
2025 BLS Salary and Job Outlook
The figures below are U.S. national estimates. Wages refer to May 2025; job growth and annual openings refer separately to the 2025–2035 BLS employment projections.
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
Related O*NET occupation: Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door (49-9012.00). BLS reporting code: 49-9012.
Scope: These figures describe the full BLS occupation listed above, which may include other specialties and job titles. BLS does not publish a separate estimate for this exact guide title.
- Median wage (May 2025): $74,340 per year.
- Mean wage (May 2025): $76,210 per year.
- 10th percentile wage (May 2025): $45,910 per year.
- 25th percentile wage (May 2025): $54,950 per year.
- 75th percentile wage (May 2025): $97,120 per year.
- 90th percentile wage (May 2025): $112,500 per year.
- OEWS employment estimate (May 2025): 48,240. This estimate excludes self-employed workers.
- Employment in the projections base year (2025): 50,400.
- Projected employment (2035): 52,600.
- Projected employment change (2025–2035): 4.3%.
- Projected annual openings (2025–2035 average): 3,600. Openings include employment growth and workers leaving the occupation; they are not all newly created jobs.
Wage percentiles describe the distribution of wages, not guaranteed entry-level or experienced-worker salaries. National figures can differ from pay in a particular state, industry, or employer. OEWS wages do not include self-employed earnings. The projections employment estimates use a different coverage basis and may include self-employed workers.
Sources: BLS May 2025 national OEWS wage estimates; BLS 2025–2035 occupational projections, Table 1.2; BLS OEWS coverage and definitions.
Earnings Potential
- Entry-Level (0–2 years): $38,000 – $46,000 annually.
- Mid-Career (3–7 years): $46,000 – $58,000.
- Experienced (8–15 years): $58,000 – $70,000.
- Supervisors / Specialists: $70,000 – $85,000+.
Hourly pay typically ranges $19–$36/hour, with higher rates in oil, gas, and power industries.
Growth Stages & Promotional Path
Stage 1: Helper / Apprentice
- Assists with basic valve inspections and cleaning.
- Learns safety standards and mechanical basics.
Stage 2: Junior Repairer
- Performs simple repairs and regulator adjustments.
- Gains hands-on experience in industrial environments.
Stage 3: Certified Valve & Regulator Repairer
- Handles full disassembly, repair, and calibration independently.
- Specializes in a specific industry (oil, gas, chemical, or power).
Stage 4: Senior Technician / Crew Lead
- Supervises maintenance teams.
- Manages emergency repairs in high-stakes operations.
Stage 5: Supervisor / Maintenance Manager
- Oversees valve and regulator programs for large facilities.
- Coordinates with engineers and plant managers.
Education & Training Path
- High School Prep: Math, physics, and shop classes.
- Vocational Training: Mechanical or industrial technology programs.
- Apprenticeship / On-the-Job Training: Gaining 3–5 years of practical experience.
- Certifications: OSHA, NCCER, and safety-focused credentials.
- Continuous Learning: Staying current with automated and digital valve control systems.
Employment Outlook
- Projected Growth: ~4% through 2032 - steady demand.
- Drivers of Demand:
- Maintenance of aging industrial infrastructure.
- Growth in oil, gas, and renewable energy facilities.
- Expanding water and wastewater treatment needs.
- Industries Hiring:
- Oil and gas companies.
- Power generation plants.
- Manufacturing and processing industries.
- Water and wastewater utilities.
Would You Like This Career?
This path may be right for you if you:
- Enjoy mechanical troubleshooting.
- Want stable, industrial trade work.
- Value careers tied to essential infrastructure.
- Don’t mind working in industrial or high-pressure environments.
It may not suit you if you:
- Dislike hands-on or potentially hazardous work.
- Want a fast-paced office environment.
- Prefer fields with rapid growth opportunities outside heavy industry.
If you’re considering a career as a Valve and Regulator Repairer, the best next step is to check whether your mechanical strengths and motivations align with this trade. Take the Free MAPP Career Assessment at Assessment.com to discover whether this career fits your natural profile, or if another industrial role may be better.
