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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

The official count of automotive electronics tecnicians in 2008 was 20,000. Workers have recently faced a high level of unemployment. The unemployment rate for employees? About 5% recently.

Area Job Conditions

You'll see a lot of automotive electronics tecnicians in Bismarck (North Dakota), Pensacola (Florida), and Stockton (California), and comparatively fewer in Kansas City (Missouri), Detroit (Michigan), and Indianapolis (Indiana).

Wages for Workers are highest in Seattle (Washington), Olympia (Washington), and West Palm Beach (Florida), and lowest in Tucson (Arizona), Virginia Beach (Virginia), and Stockton (California).

Training and Education

Employees normally have a postsecondary vocational award before landing a job. Degrees are held by 7% of current automotive electronics tecnicians. Post-secondary schooling was enough for 39% of workers. Education topped out at high school for 54% of employees. 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

Part-time work suffices for 4% of automotive electronics tecnicians. Workers working on their own make up 5% of the total.

Automotive Electronics Tecnicians 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

Arizona

California

Colorado

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Illinois

Indiana

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Missouri

Nebraska

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Virginia

Washington

Wisconsin