Automotive Electronics Installers

Career summary

Automobile electronics installers may also be called car stereo installers or car alarm installers.

#4/4/19

Vehicles contain many electronic components, including:

• Stereo systems
• Mobile device connections
• Keyless lock systems
• GPS navigation equipment
• DVD players

Automotive electronics installers talk to customers to find out what they need. If the customer has not already purchased their electronic equipment, installers make recommendations about buying equipment.

Installers must remove the seats, carpeting, and inside padding to make room for wiring and some of the equipment. Wires and cables are run through the vehicle. Sometimes installers have to split and splice the wires. They use power tools, drills, and pliers.

Installers sometimes must build enclosures to house larger items such as woofers and speakers. When everything is installed properly, installers replace the seats, carpeting, padding, or anything else they may have taken out.

Installers also repair electronic equipment. They use a variety of tools to diagnose and test problems. Sometimes cleaning is all that is needed, but often additional repairs are necessary.

Installers keep records of their installations and repairs.

Related careers

This career is part of the Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Automobile Mechanics
• Automotive Service Advisors
• Building Maintenance Workers
• Communications Equipment Mechanics
• Computer, ATM, and Office Machine Repairers
• Home Electronic Repairers
• Industrial Electronics Repairers
• Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to automotive electronics installers.

• Talk with customers to see what is going wrong with their automobile's electronics or to determine what they would like installed.
• Install equipment and accessories such as stereos, navigation equipment, communication equipment, and security systems.
• Remove seats, carpeting, and interiors of doors to install sound-proofing material. Reinstall the carpeting and interiors.
• Cut openings and drill holes for fixtures and equipment.
• Replace and clean electrical or electronic components.
• Run new speaker and electrical cables.
• Build enclosures for sound components, and fit them to the automobile.
• Estimate costs of repairs based on parts and labor charges.
• Inspect and test electrical or electronic systems to find problems. Use various testing instruments.
• Use electronic equipment to diagnose or repair problems in sound, communication, navigation, security, and other equipment.
• Splice wires with knives or pliers. Solder connections to fixtures and equipment.
• Keeps records of any diagnostic tests.

Common work activities

Automotive electronics installers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Get information needed to do the job
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Handle and move objects
• Use computers
• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Process information
• Think creatively
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Teach others
• Analyze data or information
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Repair and maintain electronic equipment
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Coach others
• Perform for or work with the public
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Document and record information
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Evaluate information against standards
• Provide information or drawings about devices, equipment, or structures
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Develop goals and strategies
• Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions
• Schedule work and activities

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, automotive electronics installers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of communication with others. They talk to customers and other installers throughout their workday.
• Communicate with others by telephone and in person. Sometimes write e-mail.
• Often work as part of a team.
• Are somewhat responsible for the safety of other workers around them, as well as the owners of the automobiles they work on.
• Are occasionally placed in conflict situations in which customers may be rude or angry.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by other installers.

Physical work conditions

• Work indoors. Occasionally work outdoors.
• Are often exposed to sounds and noise levels that may be loud or distracting, especially when using power tools.
• Often must get into awkward positions to reach cramped work spaces inside the vehicle they are working on.
• Are often exposed to hazardous equipment, conditions, and situations that may produce stings, cuts, or burns.
• Are regularly exposed to contaminants.
• Sometimes are exposed to hot or cold temperatures.
• Often work near other installers or assistants who may be helping them.

Work performance

• Must be very exact and accurate when installing components. Errors could cause serious injury to themselves or other workers.
• Regularly make decisions that affect the customer and the outcome of the installation. They rarely consult with others before deciding a course of action.
• Determine the tasks and goals of the day by orders and deadlines.
• Must meet daily deadlines. This may make the work atmosphere somewhat competitive and stressful.

Hours/travel

• Usually work a standard 40-hour week. May work overtime to meet deadlines.
• May work evenings and weekends if employed in a shop with extended hours.

Physical demands

Automotive electronics installers frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stand for long periods of time.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Bend or twist their body.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.
• Kneel, stoop, crouch, or crawl.

It is important for automotive electronics installers to be able to:

• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• 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.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for automotive electronics installers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Determine from which direction a sound came.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• 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.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• See objects in very bright or glaring light.
• See objects in very low light.
• While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.

Skills and abilities

Automotive electronics installers need to:

Communicate

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

Reason and problem solve

• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Manage the time of self and others.
• Go back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information without becoming confused.

Work with people

• Look for ways to help people.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Work with things

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

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

• Automotive Technology

Training

To work as an automotive electronics installer, you typically need to:

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

Education after high school

Some automotive electronics installers complete a formal training program in mobile electronics installation and repair. Professional-technical schools or two-year colleges offer these programs. They grant a certificate or associate degree. In these programs you learn to read schematic drawings, analyze problems, and follow safety procedures.

On-the-job training

Automotive electronics installers typically learn through on-the-job training. This usually lasts up to one year. An experienced worker teaches you the skills needed for the job. You begin as a helper and do basic tasks. As you gain experience you work on more complex tasks.

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. You should consider taking Algebra and Geometry as your math courses and Chemistry and Physics as your science courses.

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

• Computer Applications
• Drafting
• Electricity
• Electronics
• Industrial Arts

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

Most employers prefer applicants who have completed a formal training program. Experience installing automotive equipment as a hobby may also be helpful. Employers also look for applicants with strong reading, math, and computer skills. These skills allow installers to read and understand technical manuals and to keep up with new technology. Employers also look for installers who can diagnose problems quickly and correctly.

Industry certification, such as the Mobile Electronics Certified Professional (MECP), may be required by some shops. Certification can be obtained through the Consumer Technology Association. More information on this organization can be found in the Other Resources section of this description.

Costs to workers

Workers may have to buy their own tools and test equipment. Some workers may want to become certified and would need to pay for study materials and testing.

#Verified certification info 2/7/18 cj.

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 Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles 

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

Wages

Wages vary depending on the employer and the area of the country. Wages also vary according to the level of skill and experience of the installer.

Benefits vary by employer. Many full-time automotive electronics installers receive benefits. These may include paid vacation, sick leave, and health 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

Major employers:

• Electronics and appliance stores
• Auto parts, accessories, and tire stores
• Auto dealers
• Auto repair shops

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will decline sharply as better sound and security systems are installed by car manufacturers. The new equipment is reliable and does not require a lot of maintenance.

Job prospects will be best for people with an associate degree in electronics and an industry certification.

Other resources

AutoCare Careers 

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

Mobile Electronics Certified Professional 

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

References

Career cluster

• Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles (49-2096.00) 

O*Net job zone 

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

DOT occupations

• Electrician, Automotive (825.281-022) 
• Equipment Installer (828.381-010) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Realistic/Investigative/Conventional

COPSystem

• Service Skilled