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Automotive dealerships and service centers
Toyota, AutoNation, Lithia Motors
Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles
These workers install and repair electronic gear in cars and trucks, from stereos and navigation systems to alarms, communication devices, and sound insulation. The job is part wiring, part troubleshooting, and part careful interior work in tight vehicle spaces. The tradeoff is that it takes specialized hands-on skill, but the field is small and projected to shrink as more vehicles come with factory-built electronics already installed.
Also known as Car Electronics InstallerMobile Electronics InstallerAutomotive Electronics Technician12V InstallerCar Audio Installer
Median Salary
$47,940
Mean $50,240
U.S. Workforce
~10K
0.6K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-13.6%
10.3K to 8.9K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles sits in the Trades category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~10K workers, with a median annual pay of $47,940 and roughly 0.6K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 10.3 K in 2024 to 8.9K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Post-secondary certificate in automotive electronics or mobile electronics, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Apprentice / Installer Helper and can progress toward Shop Lead / Foreman. High-value skills usually include Repairing, Troubleshooting, and Operations Monitoring, paired with soft skills such as Critical Thinking, Active Listening, and Complex Problem Solving.
Core Responsibilities
- Install stereos, GPS units, Bluetooth kits, two-way radios, and vehicle security systems.
- Track down electrical problems in a vehicle by testing circuits, connectors, batteries, and electronic modules.
- Remove seats, door panels, carpet, and trim so you can add sound-deadening material or reach hidden wiring, then put everything back together neatly.
- Cut, drill, and shape panels or enclosures so speakers, screens, and other equipment fit the vehicle cleanly.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Install stereos, GPS units, Bluetooth kits, two-way radios, and vehicle security systems.
02 Track down electrical problems in a vehicle by testing circuits, connectors, batteries, and electronic modules.
03 Remove seats, door panels, carpet, and trim so you can add sound-deadening material or reach hidden wiring, then put everything back together neatly.
04 Cut, drill, and shape panels or enclosures so speakers, screens, and other equipment fit the vehicle cleanly.
05 Repair damaged wires and connectors by splicing, soldering, replacing parts, and cleaning corrosion off components.
06 Write up repair estimates and explain the likely cost of parts and labor to the customer or service advisor.
Industries That Hire
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Aftermarket car audio and electronics
Best Buy, Car Toys, Audio Express
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Fleet and rental vehicle maintenance
Penske, Ryder, Enterprise Fleet Management
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Truck and heavy-duty service
Rush Enterprises, MHC Kenworth, Love’s Truck Care
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Specialty upfitting and custom vehicles
Knapheide, Reading Truck, Adrian Steel
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You get visible results fast: a radio, camera, or security system either works or it does not, so the payoff from good work is immediate.
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The barrier to entry is relatively low; BLS says the typical entry point is a high school diploma, with moderate-term on-the-job training.
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The job mixes installation, wiring, and diagnostics, so the work changes from vehicle to vehicle instead of feeling repetitive.
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Workers can build a valuable niche in car audio, navigation, alarms, and custom wiring that is hard to outsource.
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Pay is decent for a short-training role, with median annual earnings of $47,940 and mean pay of $50,240.
Challenges
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The occupation is shrinking: employment is projected to fall 13.6%, from 10.3 thousand jobs in 2024 to 8.9 thousand by 2034.
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There are only about 0.6 thousand annual openings, so competition for the available jobs can be tight.
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A lot of the work happens in cramped positions inside dashboards, doors, and under seats, which can be physically uncomfortable and hard on the body.
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This field faces a structural headwind because newer vehicles often come with built-in infotainment, cameras, and security features, which reduces demand for add-on installs.
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The pay ceiling is fairly limited unless you move into lead work, diagnostics, or ownership, and the job does not usually require experience to enter but does require continuous retraining as vehicle electronics change.
Career Progression
Apprentice / Installer Helper
0-2 years
$30K-$39K
Learns basic wiring, trim removal, tool use, and shop procedures while helping senior technicians on straightforward installs.
Electronic Equipment Installer and Repairer, Motor Vehicles
2-5 years
$40K-$55K
Handles standard installations and repairs, diagnoses common wiring problems, and works directly on customer vehicles.
Senior Mobile Electronics Technician THIS ROLE
5-8 years
$55K-$68K
Takes on harder electrical faults, custom integrations, and complex installs that need careful fit and finish.
Shop Lead / Foreman
8-12 years
$68K-$90K
Oversees job quality, helps schedule work, and troubleshoots the toughest cases before vehicles go back to the customer.
Education Paths
Post-secondary certificate in automotive electronics or mobile electronics
The most common path, held by 47.4% of workers in this role, and it lines up well with the moderate-term on-the-job training this job usually requires.
High school diploma or equivalent
A very common starting point, held by 44.78% of workers in this role, especially for people who learn the trade through employer training.
Associate's degree in automotive technology or electronics
An alternative route, held by 4.31% of workers in this role, that can help with deeper diagnostics and broader repair knowledge.
Industry certification or apprenticeship in car audio, alarms, or 12-volt systems
A practical alternative path for people who want to get hired quickly and build skills on the job, even though it is not a major share of the education distribution.
Key Skills
Technical
Repairing 66%
Troubleshooting 66%
Operations Monitoring 63%
12V Vehicle Electrical Diagnostics & Multimeter Testing 61%
Soldering, Wire Splicing & Connector Repair 59%
Installation 56%
Equipment Maintenance 56%
Custom Enclosure Fabrication & Interior Trim Removal 54%
Soft Skills
Critical ThinkingActive ListeningComplex Problem SolvingAttention to DetailCustomer ServiceTime Management Job Outlook and Trends
+-13.6%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
0.6K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 10.3K to 8.9 K over the next decade, representing -13.6% growth. Around 0.6 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.