TRADES Zone 3: Medium Preparation

Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers

Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers earn $48,420 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $43,310 and $58,500. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.

About Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers

Install, diagnose, or repair communications, sound, security, or navigation equipment in motor vehicles.


Median Wage
$48,420
Employed Nationally
9K
Openings / Year
600
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone
Zone 3: Medium Preparation

Also known as:

Auto Electrician (Automotive Electrician) Auto Phone Installer Auto Radio Mechanic Automatic Window Seat and Top Lift Repairer Automotive Technician

How Much Do Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers Make?

Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers earn $48,420 nationally, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $43,310 and $58,500. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.

$48,420
National Median (Annual)

Below average for bachelor's degree holders.

$43K–$59K
Middle 50% Range

25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.


Earnings Range

What Do Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers Do?

O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.

What You'll Do

  • Install equipment and accessories, such as stereos, navigation equipment, communication equipment, and security systems.
  • Inspect and test electrical or electronic systems to locate and diagnose malfunctions, using visual inspections and testing instruments, such as oscilloscopes and voltmeters.
  • Cut openings and drill holes for fixtures and equipment, using electric drills and routers.
  • Splice wires with knives or cutting pliers, and solder connections to fixtures and equipment.
  • Diagnose or repair problems with electronic equipment, such as sound, navigation, communication, and security equipment, in motor vehicles.

Core Skills Employers Look For

Troubleshooting Repairing Critical Thinking Operations Monitoring Active Listening

Who Thrives Here

R
Realistic

Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.

C
Conventional

Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.

I
Investigative

This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.

Where Do Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers Work?

What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.

Work Setting
Mixed

Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.

Physical Demands
Light

Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.

Stress Level
High

High time pressure and significant consequences for errors. Deadline-driven or high-stakes decisions are common.

What Is the Job Outlook for Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers?

The BLS projects -13.6% employment change for Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers through 2034, a declining trend, below the national average of +5%. About 600 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.

↘ -13.6%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)

Declining employment projected.

600
Annual Openings

New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.

9K
Currently Employed

Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.

Where the Jobs Are

The five states below employ the most Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $48,420 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.

# State Jobs Median Wage vs. National
1 Texas 1,430 $43,890 -9.4%
2 California 1,270 $55,190 +14.0%
3 Indiana 750 $55,540 +14.7%
4 Tennessee 600 $47,960 -1.0%
5 Florida 570 $45,300 -6.4%

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →

How to Get Here

Most Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers positions require a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify. The program below is the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.

High school diploma or equivalent
Zone 3: Medium Preparation

A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.


Degree Programs That Lead Here

# Program Graduates/yr 4yr Median Colleges
1 Vehicle Maintenance 68,347 $80,809 956

Top Colleges for Aspiring Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers

Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.

# College UCD Score Net Price Salary 10yr
1 Victor Valley College Victorville, CA 90 $1,947 $36,119
2 Brazosport College Lake Jackson, TX 88 $4,732 $45,910
3 Chipola College Marianna, FL 88 $1,133 $37,378
4 South Georgia Technical College Americus, GA 86 $1,164 $30,364
5 South Florida State College Avon Park, FL 86 $3,877 $39,990
6 Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro Murfreesboro, TN 86 $6,631 $40,869

Plan Your Path

Once you've sized up Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.

Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers Pros & Cons

Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers has real financial strengths, but declining employment projections deserve careful consideration. The 1 upsides and 2 concerns below are all data-sourced.

PROS
  • Accessible entry path The typical entry requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, lower than many comparable-paying careers. This creates a shorter path from training to first paycheck.
CONS
  • Modest median salary At $48,420 median, this career lags STEM and business fields. High-cost degree programs may be difficult to justify on salary alone.
  • Declining employment The BLS projects -13.6% employment change through 2034. This field is expected to shrink. Automation, offshoring, or structural industry change are likely factors.

Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers is $48,420, below the national median, program ROI depends heavily on keeping tuition costs low. The middle 50% of earners fall between $43,310 and $58,500. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers a good career?
With realistic expectations. The BLS projects -13.6% employment change through 2034. This field is shrinking, not expanding. The $48,420 median wage is competitive, but most openings come from retirements and exits rather than new positions. If you're drawn to this work, differentiate through a specialized niche or adjacent certification that keeps you relevant as the broader field contracts.
How do I become a Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers?
Most Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Vehicle Maintenance are common starting points.
Why are Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers jobs declining?
The BLS projects -13.6% employment change for Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers through 2034. Declining occupations typically face some combination of automation, industry consolidation, offshoring, or reduced consumer demand, rarely a single cause. Despite the overall decline, about 600 openings per year are still projected, mostly replacements for workers who retire or leave, not new positions. 9K people currently work in this field, so while it's contracting, active hiring still occurs. Specialization in high-value segments of the role gives the strongest protection.
What skills do Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers roles: Troubleshooting, Repairing, Critical Thinking, Operations Monitoring, and Active Listening. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.

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