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Automotive Electronics Technicians

These professionals are responsible for installing and repairing the security, communications, sound, and navigation equipment of automobiles. They are also referred to as auto electricians and electronic equipment installers.

Schools and Degrees

These electronics technicians are expected to obtain training at vocational schools. Individuals may also opt for an associate's degree for career advancement.

Job Requirements

Although licensing is not mandatory in all states, these professionals are expected to obtain informal training under experienced workers. They may also choose to sign up for a recognized apprenticeship program.

These professionals are required to be familiar with software like True Audio WinSpeakerz, LinearTeam WinISD, Harris Tech X.over Pro, and Harris Tech BassBox. They have to possess effective communication skills so that they can understand the needs of their customers, ask appropriate questions, and then explain how the equipment that they intend to install or repair will affect the automobiles. Auto electronics technicians have to possess good trouble shooting skills.

Nature of Work

Auto technicians have to determine the nature of the problem when a customer comes to them with their automobile. Their tasks involve the use of instruments such as voltmeters and oscilloscopes for testing and inspecting the electronic systems so that the malfunctioning parts of the equipment can be identified. They have to provide estimates for repairing or installing electronic equipment on the basis of labor charges and costs of the parts. While repairing or installing different electronics equipment in the car, they have to solder connections and splice wires as and when required. They also have to remove the interiors of doors, carpeting, and seats while installing or repairing parts. At times they also use electric drills to make holes or cut openings for installing fixtures.

Job Numbers and Growth

There are an estimated 20,000 automotive electronics technicians nationally. Most recently, workers have experienced a high level of joblessness. An estimated 5% of employees did not have employment in 2008.

Area Job Conditions

Automotive electronics technicians -of-a-feather seem to flock to Bismarck (North Dakota), Pensacola (Florida), and Stockton (California). They are less likely to be found around Kansas City (Missouri), Detroit (Michigan), and Indianapolis (Indiana).

Compensation of workers is best in Seattle (Washington), Olympia (Washington), and West Palm Beach (Florida), and much worse in Tucson (Arizona), Virginia Beach (Virginia), and Stockton (California).

Training and Education

Employees often find employers are looking for a postsecondary vocational award. Automotive electronics technicians, in 7% of cases, have bachelor's degree or higher. After high school, 39% of workers pursued some additional career education. Employees, in 54% of cases, had only a high school education. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.

Part-Time Work and Self-Employment

Automotive electronics technicians employed part-time are 4% of the total. Workers, in about 5% of cases, work for themselves.

Automotive Electronics Technicians by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)

In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.

Alabama

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Birmingham	$28,000	40	+35%

Arizona

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Phoenix	$27,000	100	-7%
Tucson	$28,000	150	+633%

California

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Los Angeles	$29,000	670	+171%
Oakland	$30,000	290	+378%
Riverside	$37,000	260	+255%
Sacramento	$29,000	120	+128%
San Diego	$36,000	140	+76%
San Francisco	$33,000	40	-34%
Santa Ana	$35,000	130	+47%

District of Columbia

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Washington	$31,000	110	-26%

Florida

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Fort Lauderdale	$29,000	250	+491%
Orlando	$26,000	130	+110%
Tampa	$30,000	60	-14%

Georgia

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Atlanta	$27,000	230	+63%

Illinois

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Chicago	$35,000	190	-17%

Indiana

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Indianapolis	$32,000	70	+29%

Maryland

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Baltimore	$30,000	50	-37%
Bethesda	$26,000	40	+14%

Massachusetts

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Boston	$24,000	120	+13%

Michigan

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Grand Rapids	$25,000	50	+121%
Warren	$33,000	80	+22%

Minnesota

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Minneapolis	$34,000	220	+103%

Missouri

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
St Louis	$28,000	100	+23%

Nebraska

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Omaha	$34,000	30	+6%

Nevada

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Las Vegas	$27,000	60	+16%

New Hampshire

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Manchester		40	+582%

New Jersey

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Edison	$30,000	210	+236%
Newark	$26,000	60	-1%

New Mexico

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Albuquerque	$34,000	30	+29%

New York

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Albany	$30,000	130	+378%
Nassau	$35,000	130	+68%
New York	$26,000	570	+79%

North Carolina

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Charlotte	$38,000	170	+227%
Raleigh	$37,000	60	+92%

North Dakota

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Bismarck	$28,000	30	+743%

Ohio

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Cincinnati	$33,000	100	+62%
Cleveland	$32,000	120	+93%
Columbus	$32,000	50	-11%
Toledo	$34,000	50	+185%

Pennsylvania

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Erie	$29,000	30	+306%

Rhode Island

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Providence	$31,000	90	+167%

South Carolina

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Sumter	$24,000	40	+2312%

Tennessee

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Memphis	$33,000	80	+114%

Texas

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Austin	$27,000	40	-16%
Dallas	$37,000	140	+9%
Fort Worth	$28,000	120	+128%
Laredo	$24,000	70	+1508%

Virginia

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Richmond	$33,000	50	+34%
Virginia Beach	$24,000	200	+334%
Winchester	$26,000	40	+1415%

Washington

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Olympia	$37,000	30	+437%
Seattle	$45,000	240	+181%

Wisconsin

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Milwaukee	$46,000	130	+157%