Home Electronic Repairers

Career summary

#closest match is 3168 radio and tv service technicians

Home electronic repairers install and repair equipment such as:

• Televisions
• Home theater systems
• DVDs
• CD players
• Video cameras
• Home security systems
• Intercoms

Most home entertainment installers and repairers work on many types of equipment but some specialize in one type.

After installing a new system, home electronic repairers make sure customers know how to use it.

Before making repairs, repairers talk to customers to find out what is wrong. Repairers also estimate the repair costs and explain these figures to customers.

Home electronic repairers first check for common trouble spots. Sometimes the equipment only needs to be cleaned and have parts lubricated. If a routine check does not find the problem, repairers refer to diagrams and service manuals for help.

They use a variety of testing devices to diagnose malfunctions:

• Multimeters measure the power supply.
• Color bar and dot generators show on-screen test patterns.

Repairers use hand tools to make repairs. They tune and adjust equipment for the best audio or visual reception.

Customers usually take small equipment to repair shops to be serviced. Repairers who work in shops have a full array of electronic tools and parts. These repairers are called bench technicians.

When larger equipment breaks down, repairers go to customers' homes to service it. These repairers are called field technicians. If a repair is complex, they may bring faulty components back to the repair shop for a comprehensive diagnosis.

Related careers

This career is part of the Manufacturing cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Appliance Installers and Repairers
• Automotive Electronics Installers
• Broadcast Technicians
• Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers
• Communications Equipment Mechanics
• Computer User Support Specialists
• Computer, ATM, and Office Machine Repairers
• Electric Motor Repairers
• Electricians
• Industrial Electronics Repairers
• Medical Equipment Repairers
• Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers

Military careers

• Electrical Products Repairers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to home electronic repairers.

• Take apart entertainment equipment to see what is wrong. Repair or replace components and wiring.
• Check equipment for common causes of trouble.
• Refer to diagrams and manufacturers' specifications to locate more complex problems.
• Use a variety of test equipment to diagnose malfunctions or calibrate TVs, DVD players, radio, and VCRs.
• Use hand tools to replace faulty parts.
• Tune or adjust equipment to obtain the best visual or audio reception.
• Make service calls and repair units in customers' homes. May bring defective components back to repair shop for analysis.
• Talk to customers to learn more about the problem or to explain repairs or costs.
• Compute cost estimates for labor and materials.

Common work activities

Home electronic repairers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Repair and maintain electronic equipment
• Get information needed to do the job
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Use computers
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Teach others
• Perform for or work with the public
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Document and record information
• Evaluate information against standards
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions
• Handle and move objects
• Think creatively
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, home electronic repairers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a medium level of job-required social contact.
• Communicate with others primarily by telephone, face-to-face discussions, and e-mail.

Physical work conditions

• Nearly always work indoors.
• Are sometimes exposed to hazardous conditions that produce minor burns, cuts, or electric shock.

Work performance

• Must be sure that all details are done and their work is exact. Errors could cause customers to be dissatisfied.
• Usually work independently, where they make decisions and set daily tasks without talking to another first.
• Must meet occasional deadlines while working.

Hours/travel

• Usually work a 40-hour week.
• May work Saturdays.
• May travel to make service calls to customers' homes.

Physical demands

Home electronic repairers frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stand for long periods of time.

It is important for home electronic repairers to be able to:

• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Understand the speech of another person.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for home electronic repairers to be able to:

• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Determine from which direction a sound came.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.

Skills and abilities

Home electronic repairers need to:

Communicate

• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand spoken information.
• Understand written information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.

Work with things

• Determine the causes of technical problems and find solutions for them.
• Inspect and evaluate the quality of products.
• Repair machines or systems.
• Maintain equipment on a routine basis. Determine when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Install equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
• Determine the tools and equipment needed to do a job.
• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Electrical and Electronics Equipment Installation and Repair

Other programs of study to consider

• Communications Operations Technology
• Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
• Precision Crafting and Repair

Training

To work as a home electronic repairer, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• complete a formal training program; and
• complete short-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

Most home electronic repairers complete a training program in electronics. Professional-technical schools and two-year colleges offer these programs. They grant a certificate or an associate degree. In this type of program, you learn the principles of electronics. You also learn how to use testing equipment and make repairs.

On-the-job training

Once on the job, home electronic repairers are paired with an experienced worker. This worker trains the new repairer on basic skills. As trainees gain skills, they work on more difficult repairs. Training may last up to one month.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be electrical products repairers. Training lasts four to 22 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training is on the job.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Driver Education
• Electronics
• Equipment Maintenance and Repair

Many home electronics repairers are self-employed. If you want to run your own business some day, you should consider taking these courses as well:

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Business

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers prefer applicants who have basic knowledge and skill in electronics. Many prefer applicants with formal electronics training. Employers look for applicants who have hands-on experience repairing electronic equipment. They may also look for experience in reading diagrams. Some employers prefer repairers who are certified.

Field technicians work closely with customers. Employers look for applicants with good communication skills and a neat appearance. They may also require field technicians to have a driver's license.

People with no previous training may be hired as helpers to experienced technicians. Some employers may require certification by an association such as the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians (listed in the Other Resources section of this description).

#Deleted reference to traing via 4-yr apprenticeship as I didn't find any info on it on the L&I website (as was Leo's comment, too.) 4/3/08, cj.

Tips

Continuing training is required to keep up with the changes in technology. Vocational or high school training in electronics, schematic reading, math, and physics may provide a good background for entering the field. A technician may specialize in one field, such as televisions, digital video disk players, or stereo components.

Costs to workers

Most workers are required to supply their own hand tools. Repairers may have to pay for certification tests. Some workers may be required to join a union and pay an initiation fee and quarterly dues.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by the repairer's level of experience and training. Wages also vary by employer and area of the country.

Benefits vary by employer. Many full-time home electronic repairers earn typical benefits. These include vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. Self-employed repairers must provide their own insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

About 16% of home electronic repairers are self-employed.

Major employers:

• Electronics and appliance stores
• Electronics repair shops

National outlook

There will be little to no growth in this occupation. Repairers will be needed to install and repair high-end equipment, such as digital televisions. However, growth will be limited because home entertainment equipment is less expensive than in the past. As equipment costs less, demand for repair services decreases. This is because it is often cheaper to replace equipment than it is to repair it.

Job openings will occur as workers retire or take higher paying jobs in other occupations that require electronics experience. Opportunities will be best for repairers who have experience, knowledge of electronics, and good customer service skills.

Other resources

Consumer Technology Association 
1919 South Eads Street
Arlington, VA 22202
703.907.7600

Electronics Technicians Association, International 
5 Depot Street
Greencastle, IN 46135
800.288.3824
765.653.8262

National Electronics Service Dealers Association 
PO Box 378
Hillsboro, TX 76645
817.921.9061

The International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians 
P. O. Box 378
Hillsboro, TX 76645
800.946.0201

Washington Business Week 
PO Box 1170
Renton, WA 98057
253.237.3545

References

Career cluster

• Manufacturing

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers (49-2097.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Audio-video Repairer (729.281-010) 
• Electric-organ Inspector and Repairer (730.281-018) 
• Electronic-organ Technician (828.261-010) 
• Radio Repairer (720.281-010) 
• Tape-recorder Repairer (720.281-014) 
• Television Installer (823.361-010) 
• Television-and-radio Repairer (720.281-018) 

Holland occupational clusters

• Realistic/Conventional/Enterprising
• Realistic/Conventional/Investigative

COPSystem

• Technology Skilled