Career comparison
Coil Winder vs. Electric Motor Repairer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Electric motor repairers earn more at the median ($56,210 vs. $48,220), while coil winders usually get to work faster (A few months on the job of training). Coil winders wind, tape and finish wire coils for motors and transformers. Electric motor repairers test, rewind and rebuild electric motors, generators and power tools.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Coil Winder | Electric Motor Repairer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $48,220 ($23.18/hr) | $56,210 ($27.02/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $37,540 – $63,300 | $37,100 – $85,200 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -4.0% (a projected decline) | +4.4% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 1,200 | 1,400 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | A few months on the job | Several months to a year |
| Key credential | Soldering certification | EASA training |
| Work setting | Coil winders work in electrical equipment factories.. | Repairers work in motor shops, factories and field service.. |
What each job does
Coil Winder
- Set up winding machines
- Wind coils
- Count turns
- Tape and insulate
- Solder leads
Electric Motor Repairer
- Test motors for faults
- Disassemble motors
- Rewind coils
- Replace bearings and brushes
- Balance rotors
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, steady routines, indoor work, and working independently. Both are part of the mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose coil winder if…
- I like precise work
- I’m patient
- I can focus
Choose electric motor repairer if…
- I like how motors work
- I’m patient
- I like precision
Still torn? Take the Coil Winder fit quiz and the Electric Motor Repairer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, coil winder or electric motor repairer?
Electric Motor Repairers earn more at the median: $56,210 versus $48,220 for coil winders, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Coil Winders typically train faster (A few months on the job) than electric motor repairers (Several months to a year).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects electric motor repairers to grow +4.4% from 2025–35, compared with -4.0% for coil winders.