National
| Median wages (2008) |
$22.62 hourly, $47,040 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
43,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Little or no change (-2% to 2%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
8,000 additional employees |
49-9012.00 - Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
Install, repair, and maintain mechanical regulating and controlling devices, such as electric meters, gas regulators, thermostats, safety and flow valves, and other mechanical governors.
Sample of reported job titles:
Valve Technician, Measurement Technician, Meter Technician, Electric Meter Technician, Instrument and Electrical Technician (I & E Technician), Instrument Technician, Control Valve Technician, Instrument and Controls Technician, Instrument, Control and Electrical Technician (ICE Technician), Maintenance Technician
Tasks
- Turn meters on or off to establish or close service.
- Turn valves to allow measured amounts of air or gas to pass through meters at specified flow rates.
- Report hazardous field situations and damaged or missing meters.
- Record meter readings and installation data on meter cards, work orders, or field service orders, or enter data into hand-held computers.
- Connect regulators to test stands, and turn screw adjustments until gauges indicate that inlet and outlet pressures meet specifications.
- Disassemble and repair mechanical control devices or valves, such as regulators, thermostats, or hydrants, using power tools, hand tools, and cutting torches.
- Record maintenance information, including test results, material usage, and repairs made.
- Disconnect and/or remove defective or unauthorized meters, using hand tools.
- Lubricate wearing surfaces of mechanical parts, using oils or other lubricants.
- Test valves and regulators for leaks and accurate temperature and pressure settings, using precision testing equipment.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Impact wrenches — Hydraulic wrenches; Power wrenches |
| Pressure indicators — Pressure gauges; Pressure recorders |
| Saws — Hacksaws; Hand saws; Keyhole saws |
| Screwdrivers — Insulated screwdrivers; Phillips head screwdrivers; Robertson screwdrivers; Straight screwdrivers |
| Slip or groove joint pliers — Groove-joint pliers; Slip-joint pliers |
| Taps or dies — Dies; Taps |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Analytical or scientific software — Emerson FIRSTVUE Value Sizing |
| Data base user interface and query software — Data entry software |
| Project management software — Maintenance record software |
| Spreadsheet software |
