The median pay for Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles is $48,420 a year ($23.28/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to fall 14.5% through 2035, with about 400 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 49-2096
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Electronic Equipment Installer and Repairer, Motor Vehicles in four numbers
- Median pay
- $48,420a year, or $23.28/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $36KTop 10% $70K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -14.5%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−14.5%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −14.5% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 4008,600 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20258.6K
- Projected 20357.4K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 8.6K Projected 2035 7.4K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school2.4%
- High school44.8%
- Certificate47.4%
- Some college1.1%
- Associate's4.3%
Highest education held by electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles Segment Value Less than high school 2.4% High school 44.8% Certificate 47.4% Some college 1.1% Associate's 4.3%
Also advertised as: Auto Tech (Automotive Technician), Car Alarm Installer, Car Electronics Installer, Car Stereo Installer, Electronic Equipment Installer, Electronic Technician.
Pay
How much do Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles make?
Every electronic equipment installer and repairer, motor vehicles in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$48,420
Middle half earn $43,310 to $58,500
- 10th
- $35,590
- 25th
- $43,310
- 75th
- $58,500
- 90th
- $70,170
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $35,590 |
| 25th | $43,310 |
| Median | $48,420 |
| 75th | $58,500 |
| 90th | $70,170 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $48,420
- Median hourly wage
- $23.28/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $51,560
- People employed
- 8,550
Versus all US occupations
At $48,420, Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles earn 5% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $2,560 a year.
Versus installation, maintenance, and repair occupations
Inside the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair group, where the middle occupation pays $61,150, this is 21% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $70,170 or more while the bottom 10% earn $35,590, a gap of 2.0×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 18% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Kentucky pays the most at $64,570, and still leads at $71,618 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Kentucky | $64,570 | $71,618 | 40 |
| 2New York | $60,220 | $55,800 | 290 |
| 3Colorado | $60,070 | $58,291 | N/A |
| 4Georgia | $59,550 | $61,843 | 300 |
| 5Washington | $59,010 | $55,143 | 120 |
| 6Arizona | $57,280 | $56,895 | 40 |
| 7Indiana | $56,730 | $60,785 | 470 |
| 8Oregon | $56,000 | $54,179 | 200 |
| 9Idaho | $55,760 | $58,391 | 90 |
| 10Iowa | $55,160 | $62,852 | N/A |
Job outlook
Is Electronic Equipment Installer and Repairer, Motor Vehicles a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -14.5% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles | −14.5% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles to change -14.5% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 1,300 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 400 openings are projected each year, 4.7% of the 8,600 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of electrical and electronics installers and repairers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 8,900 openings for electrical and electronics installers and repairers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of electrical and electronics installers and repairers varies by occupation (see table).
Getting in
How to become an Electronic Equipment Installer and Repairer, Motor Vehicles
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers typically need at least a high school education, but most specializations require further preparation through a combination of advanced education, on-the-job training, or work experience.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles.
- Post-Secondary Certificate47.4%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)44.8%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree4.3%
- Less than a High School Diploma2.4%
- Some College Courses1.1%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 47.4% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 44.8% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 4.3% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 2.4% |
| Some College Courses | 1.1% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an Electronic Equipment Installer and Repairer, Motor Vehicles do?
Install, diagnose, or repair communications, sound, security, or navigation equipment in motor vehicles.
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers install, adjust, or maintain or repair a variety of electrical and electronic equipment.
Day-to-day tasks
- Inspect and test electrical or electronic systems to locate and diagnose malfunctions, using visual inspections and testing instruments, such as oscilloscopes and voltmeters.
- Diagnose or repair problems with electronic equipment, such as sound, navigation, communication, and security equipment, in motor vehicles.
- Splice wires with knives or cutting pliers, and solder connections to fixtures and equipment.
- Replace and clean electrical or electronic components.
- Record results of diagnostic tests.
- Confer with customers to determine the nature of malfunctions.
- Run new speaker and electrical cables.
- Remove seats, carpeting, and interiors of doors and add sound-absorbing material in empty spaces, reinstalling interior parts.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most electrical and electronics installers and repairers work full time. Some may need to be on call during evenings or weekends for emergency repairs.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the timeRegular bending or twisting.
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking3.5
- Active Listening3.4
- Reading Comprehension3.1
- Speaking3.0
- Writing2.9
- Monitoring2.9
- Active Learning2.8
- Learning Strategies2.5
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.5 |
| Active Listening | 3.4 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Writing | 2.9 |
| Monitoring | 2.9 |
| Active Learning | 2.8 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Troubleshooting3.6
- Repairing3.6
- Operations Monitoring3.5
- Installation3.3
- Equipment Maintenance3.3
- Complex Problem Solving3.1
- Time Management3.1
- Coordination3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Troubleshooting | 3.6 |
| Repairing | 3.6 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.5 |
| Installation | 3.3 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.3 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 |
| Time Management | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Internet browser software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an Electronic Equipment Installer and Repairer, Motor Vehicles?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Electronic Equipment Installer and Repairer, Motor Vehicles |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic7.0
- Conventional4.3
- Investigative3.4
- Social1.3
- Artistic1.0
- Enterprising1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Electronic Equipment Installer and Repairer, Motor Vehicles
O*NET related occupations
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More installation, maintenance, and repair careers
Median annual pay, with electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles highlighted
- Aircraft Mechanic$79,870
- Millwright$65,700
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic$64,520
- Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist$61,770
- Medical Equipment Repairer$61,660
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer$61,010
- Automotive Body and Related Repairer$54,890
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic$50,620
- Electronic Equipment Installer and Repairer, Motor Vehicles$48,420
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanic | $79,870 |
| Millwright | $65,700 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $64,520 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist | $61,770 |
| Medical Equipment Repairer | $61,660 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer | $61,010 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairer | $54,890 |
| Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic | $50,620 |
| Electronic Equipment Installer and Repairer, Motor Vehicles | $48,420 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Electronic Equipment Installer and Repairer, Motor Vehicles appears on
Questions
Electronic Equipment Installer and Repairer, Motor Vehicles: frequently asked questions
How much do Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles make?
Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles earn a median of $48,420 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 5% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $23.28/hr. The middle half earn between $43,310 and $58,500. The top 10% earn $70,170 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Electronic Equipment Installer and Repairer, Motor Vehicles?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 47.4% hold post-secondary certificate.
Is Electronic Equipment Installer and Repairer, Motor Vehicles a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 14.5% over 2025–2035, a loss of 1,300 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 400 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Electronic Equipment Installer and Repairer, Motor Vehicles do?
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers install, adjust, or maintain or repair a variety of electrical and electronic equipment. A core O*NET task: inspect and test electrical or electronic systems to locate and diagnose malfunctions, using visual inspections and testing instruments, such as oscilloscopes and voltmeters. Employers most often ask for Office suite software, Presentation software, Spreadsheet software.
Which states pay Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles the most?
The highest state medians for Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles are Kentucky ($64,570), New York ($60,220), Colorado ($60,070) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits an Electronic Equipment Installer and Repairer, Motor Vehicles?
O*NET scores Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.