...the Web's Best Employment Resources

Transportation Electrical Installers Job Overview

Transportation electrical installers are involved with installing, adjusting and maintaining mobile electronic communication equipment including sonar, navigation, sound and surveillance equipment used in vehicles, trains and watercraft.

Transportation Electrical Installers Schools and Degrees

Many schools offer electronics associate degree programs. Some professional and educational organizations offer certification. Usually candidates are required to pass an exam demonstrating their level of expertise.

Job Requirements

Many employers prefer applicants who have an electronics associate degree. Some employers require professional certification.

Nature of Work

• Install electrical cables, new fuses and power sources when required
• Show customers how to use the equipment
• Install frameworks and conduit to support and connect wiring, junction boxes and control panels
• Test newly installed equipment

Transportation Electrical Installers Jobs and Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has forecasted a slower than average employment growth through the year 2018 for electrical and electronics installers and repairers.

The major employers of transportation electrical installers are shown below:

• Shipyards
• Maritime industry
• Electrical and electronic equipment installation services companies
• Railroads
• Rapid transit systems

In 2009 the median annual earnings for electrical and electronics installers and repairers of transportation equipment was $45,830.

Job Numbers and Growth

Transportation electrical installers in the US number about 21,000. Workers generally expect a high unemployment rate. There were about 5% of employees without jobs in 2008.

Area Job Conditions

Where are jobs most numerous? Worcester (Massachusetts), Sebastian (Florida), and Tacoma (Washington). Least common? Santa Ana (California), Boston (Massachusetts), and Chicago (Illinois).

Salaries vary across the country, from highest in Palm Bay (Florida), Miami (Florida), and Portland (Oregon) to lowest in Indianapolis (Indiana), Worcester (Massachusetts), and Camden (New Jersey).

Training and Education

Obtaining a postsecondary vocational award will help job seekers. An estimated 46% of workers attended college at some level but did not pursue a 4-year degree. High school was enough education for 46% 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.

Transportation Electrical Installers 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.

Arizona

California

Connecticut

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Illinois

Indiana

Louisiana

Maryland

Massachusetts

Missouri

New Jersey

New York

Ohio

Oregon

Texas

Virginia

Washington