Motor Vehicle Electronics Installers

Motor vehicle electronics installers, install, diagnose and repair sound, communications, navigation and security equipment in motor vehicles. A lot of the installation work involves sound systems and new alarm systems. Motor vehicle electronics installers and repairers are dealing with an increasingly complicated range of electronic equipment including items such as satellite navigation equipment, DVD players, active security systems and passive security systems.

Some of the common job titles are car stereo installer, mobile electronics installation specialists, car audio installer, and electronic equipment installer.

Responsibilities

  • Splice wires and solder connections to equipment and fixtures
  • Construct wooded or fiberglass enclosures for sound components and install them
  • Install speaker and electrical cables
  • Talk to customers to determine the nature of malfunctions
  • Replace electric or electrical components
  • Record results of diagnostic tests
  • Diagnose or repair problems using electronic equipment

Job Characteristics

Motor vehicle electronics installation personnel typically work in well-lighted and well-ventilated repair shops. They should be detailed oriented, have good color perception and eyesight.

Employment Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected a 5% employment growth rate for motor vehicle electronics installers and repairers from 2006 to 2016 which is slower than average for all occupations. Due to motor vehicle manufacturers installing more and better quality security, navigation, sound and entertainment systems in new vehicles employment growth is limited for after market vehicle electronics equipment installers.

The median hourly earnings for electronic installers and repairers of motor vehicles in 2006 was $13.57 per hour. The highest paid 10 percent earned over $23.45 per hour.

Education, Certification, and Licensing

Depending on the complexity involved some employers may prefer applicants that have gained knowledge and skills from educational programs offered at community colleges and vocational schools in electronics or a related subject that take one to two years to complete. A professional certification may be helpful for getting a job. Various professional and educational organizations provide certification. Typically, candidates must pass an exam demonstrating their level of expertise.

Resources

Major Employers

The major job providing industries are motor vehicle and parts dealers, car stereo equipment sales and services firms and car alarm equipment sales and services firms.

Schools for Motor Vehicle Electronics Installers And Repairers are listed in the Browse Schools Section.

Motor Vehicle Electronics Installers and Repairers Skills

Below are the skills needed to be motor vehicle electronics installers and repairers according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest) and competency level on a scale of 1 to 7 (1 being lowest and 7 being highest).

   
Skill NameImportanceCompetence
Repairing3.623.62
Troubleshooting3.623.62
Critical Thinking3.53.12
Operation Monitoring3.53
Active Listening3.383

Motor Vehicle Electronics Installers and Repairers Abilities

Below are the abilities needed to be motor vehicle electronics installers and repairers according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest) and competency level on a scale of 1 to 7 (1 being lowest and 7 being highest).

   
Ability NameImportanceCompetence
Arm-Hand Steadiness3.883.75
Finger Dexterity3.883.75
Near Vision3.883.5
Visual Color Discrimination3.753.5
Deductive Reasoning3.623.12

Motor Vehicle Electronics Installers and Repairers Knowledge

Below are the knowledge areas needed to be motor vehicle electronics installers and repairers according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest) and competency level on a scale of 1 to 7 (1 being lowest and 7 being highest).

   
Knowledge AreaImportanceCompetence
Mechanical4.084.83
Computers and Electronics4.034.35
Customer and Personal Service3.563.09
Mathematics3.564.18
English Language3.322.92

Motor Vehicle Electronics Installers and Repairers Work activities

Below are the work activities involved in being motor vehicle electronics installers and repairers according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest) and competency level on a scale of 1 to 7 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest).

   
Work ActivityImportanceCompetence
Getting Information4.753.32
Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.574.73
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events4.562.87
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge4.515.72
Handling and Moving Objects4.386.09

Motor Vehicle Electronics Installers and Repairers Work styles

Below are the work styles involved in being motor vehicle electronics installers and repairers according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest).

   
Work StyleImportance
Attention to Detail4.63
Integrity4.43
Dependability4.41
Initiative4.09
Self Control4.01

Metro Areas Sorted by Total Employment for
Motor Vehicle Electronics Installers and Repairers

Listed below are the 10 largest metro areas based on the total number of people employed in Motor Vehicle Electronics Installers and Repairers jobs , as of 2019

   
Metro AreaTotal EmploymentAnnual Mean Salary
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim850$35,730
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land290$35,520
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward290$47,500
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach180$37,230
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin120$38,170
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale110$54,460
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell50$52,430
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn40$39,280
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara40$45,120
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario30$45,240

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Total employment and salary for professions similar to motor vehicle electronics installers

Source : 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov; O*NET® 24.3 Database, O*NET OnLine, National Center for O*NET Development, Employment & Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, onetonline.org