Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations·SOC 49-2096

Best degree programs for Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles, ranked by enrollment

1 college programs and 762 schools train Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles. Compare graduates per year, cost and pay, $48,420 median wage, 8,550 U.S. jobs. Federal data.

1 college programs at 762 schools train electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles, graduating 46,331 people a year (IPEDS completions). The largest is Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician. The job pays a median of $48,420 (BLS OEWS May 2025).

Graduates / yr
46,331
from every feeder program
Median annual wage
$48,420
BLS OEWS May 2025
Projected growth
-13.6%
Decline
Openings / yr
600
new plus replacement
Schools
762
with a feeder program
States with jobs
39
BLS reports wages

About electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles

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

Also calledCar Audio InstallerCar Stereo InstallerAutomotive TechnicianMobile Electronics Installation SpecialistWirerInstallerGenerator ManGenerator WorkerAccessory InstallerAppliance InstallerAuto Radio MechanicCar Alarm Installer

Fields of study that lead to this job

Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level, the tier our program pages are built on. Numbers are graduates per year.

1 degree programs that lead to this job

Ranked by graduates per year (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are College Scorecard figures for people who finished the program, reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. That is a different measurement from the occupation-wide wages further down this page.

Degree programs that lead to this occupation, ranked by graduates per year
#ProgramGraduates / yrShare of pipelineSchoolsGrad earnings (1 yr)Median debt
1
CIP 47.0604
46,331
100.0%
762$37,089$11,790

Top 50 schools by graduates into this job

Counting every feeder program a school offers, not just its largest one.

Schools ranked by graduates per year into this occupation
#SchoolGraduates / yrTop feeder programGrad rateNet priceAcceptance
1Glendale Community College
Glendale, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs
1,711Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician16%
2Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN Public · 1 feeder programs
837Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician40%
3Dallas College
Dallas, TX Public · 1 feeder programs
682Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician32%
4Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc
Avondale, AZ Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs
621Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician70%$27,877
5Universal Technical Institute - Dallas Fort Worth
Irving, TX Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs
619Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician75%$25,260
6Universal Technical Institute of California Inc
Rancho Cucamonga, CA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs
588Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician72%$24,830
7Universal Technical Institute - Mooresville
Mooresville, NC Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs
574Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician65%$25,348
8Universal Technical Institute of Texas Inc.
Houston, TX Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs
495Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician60%$22,532
9Universal Technical Institute - Bloomfield
Bloomfield, NJ Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs
493Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician67%$27,085
10GateWay Community College
Phoenix, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs
483Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician29%
11Universal Technical Institute - Southern California
Long Beach, CA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs
476Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician63%$26,553
12Mech - Tech College
Caguas, PR Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs
473Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician72%$13,886
13WyoTech
Laramie, WY Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs
462Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician85%$42,361
14Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc
Sacramento, CA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs
437Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician65%$27,890
15Universal Technical Institute - Orlando
Orlando, FL Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs
420Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician68%$28,289
16Jefferson Community and Technical College
Louisville, KY Public · 1 feeder programs
412Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician35%
17Front Range Community College
Westminster, CO Public · 1 feeder programs
400Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician35%
18South Seattle College
Seattle, WA Public · 1 feeder programs
389Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician31%
19St Philip's College
San Antonio, TX Public · 1 feeder programs
383Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician28%
20Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc
Lisle, IL Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs
372Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician63%$25,788
21College of Lake County
Grayslake, IL Public · 1 feeder programs
370Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician37%
22Chattahoochee Technical College
Marietta, GA Public · 1 feeder programs
369Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician38%
23Spokane Community College
Spokane, WA Public · 1 feeder programs
367Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician33%
24Universal Technical Institute - West Texas
Austin, TX Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs
342Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician75%$25,231
25Universal Technical Institute of Pennsylvania Inc
Exton, PA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs
313Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician63%$24,954
26Mesa Community College
Mesa, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs
301Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician16%
27Gateway Community and Technical College
Florence, KY Public · 1 feeder programs
297Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician59%
28Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA Public · 1 feeder programs
286Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician43%
29Tidewater Community College
Norfolk, VA Public · 1 feeder programs
264Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician32%
30Cypress College
Cypress, CA Public · 1 feeder programs
258Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician37%
31Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL Public · 1 feeder programs
251Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician21%
32Gwinnett Technical College
Lawrenceville, GA Public · 1 feeder programs
244Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician32%
33Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC Public · 1 feeder programs
244Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician33%
34Lincoln Technical Institute - Union
Union, NJ Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs
241Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician75%$26,378
35Los Angeles Trade Technical College
Los Angeles, CA Public · 1 feeder programs
241Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician35%
36Lincoln College of Technology - Denver
Denver, CO Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs
234Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician71%$33,052
37Triton College
River Grove, IL Public · 1 feeder programs
233Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician29%
38Arapahoe Community College
Littleton, CO Public · 1 feeder programs
232Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician29%
39Collin County Community College District
McKinney, TX Public · 1 feeder programs
229Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician20%
40University of Northwestern Ohio
Lima, OH Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
229Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician54%$19,592
41Lincoln Technical Institute - Whitestone
Whitestone, NY Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs
227Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician67%$34,271
42Stark State College
North Canton, OH Public · 1 feeder programs
222Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician23%
43Aims Community College
Greeley, CO Public · 1 feeder programs
213Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician40%
44Universal Technical Institute - South Florida Miramar
Miramar, FL Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs
211Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician70%$27,594
45Metropolitan Community College Area
Omaha, NE Public · 1 feeder programs
207Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician29%
46Northshore Technical Community College
Lacombe, LA Public · 1 feeder programs
205Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician40%
47Lincoln Technical Institute - Levittown
Levittown, PA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs
204Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician58%$29,412
48College of the Sequoias
Visalia, CA Public · 1 feeder programs
202Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician39%
49De Anza College
Cupertino, CA Public · 1 feeder programs
201Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician68%
50Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA Public · 1 feeder programs
196Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician31%

What electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles earn

What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.

Median annual wage
$48,420
Mean annual
$51,560
Median hourly
$23.28/hr
People employed
8,550
What the range looks like
10th pct$35,590Median$48,42090th pct$70,170

Top-paying metro areas

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
$78,420median
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
$62,680median
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
$62,070median
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
$59,020median
90 jobs
Elkhart-Goshen, IN
$58,890median
260 jobs
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
$54,930median
370 jobs
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
$60,900median
40 jobs
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
$57,310median
150 jobs

Job outlook

Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.

Projected growth 2024–34
-13.6%
Decline
Openings per year
600
new jobs plus replacements
Employment change
-1,400
10,300 → 8,900
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Plus moderate-term on-the-job training

Where the jobs are, state by state

Pick a state for in-state pay, the schools there, and the programs they run.

This occupation state by state: pay, jobs, and schools
StateMedian payJobsConcentrationSchoolsGraduates / yr
California$48,5009600.96×826,847
Texas$48,7301,2101.57×455,170
Arizona$57,280400.20×133,524
Illinois$47,1501700.50×362,922
Colorado$60,070182,085
Georgia$59,5503001.12×242,055
North Carolina$46,8501900.71×412,010
Florida$47,9806601.21×461,760
Kentucky$64,570400.36×141,681
Washington$59,0101200.62×241,356
New Jersey$41,0701700.72×121,112
Pennsylvania$26,640251,063
Indianamoderate$56,7304702.69×3984
New York$60,2202900.54×17892
Ohio$45,1202300.75×14841
Iowa$55,16015771
Virginia$49,2104401.94×15667
Tennessee$49,1402101.17×24658
Wisconsin$38,07016650
Louisiana$41,0407620
Nebraska$47,6306598
Arkansas$41,510801.11×17582
Kansas$33,380901.14×18490
Minnesota$49,7402501.57×20436
Michigan$48,070800.33×25434
New Mexico$49,3001603.32×12387
Alabama$38,520700.57×11381
South Carolina$48,2302301.79×12368
Connecticutmoderate$44,980901.01×4335
Missouri$38,760700.46×12323
Nevada$46,1005308
Mississippi$38,500901.38×15235
Oregon$56,0002001.87×11171
Massachusetts$47,5902201.11×5162
Idaho$55,760901.88×7150
Montana$49,920401.28×640
North Dakotamoderate$47,3101004.11×433
Delawarelimited502.02×128
West Virginiamoderate$51,890400.93×424

Skills and tools

From O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor's occupational database. Importance is a 1 to 5 scale.

What they do day to day

  • 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.
  • Run new speaker and electrical cables.
  • Confer with customers to determine the nature of malfunctions.
  • Remove seats, carpeting, and interiors of doors and add sound-absorbing material in empty spaces, reinstalling interior parts.

Skills

  • Critical Thinking3.5
  • Active Listening3.4
  • Reading Comprehension3.1
  • Speaking3.0
  • Writing2.9
  • Monitoring2.9
  • Active Learning2.8
  • Learning Strategies2.5

Knowledge areas

  • Mechanical4.1
  • Computers and Electronics4.0
  • Customer and Personal Service3.6
  • Mathematics3.6
  • English Language3.3
  • Engineering and Technology3.2

Abilities

  • Near Vision3.9
  • Finger Dexterity3.9
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness3.9
  • Visual Color Discrimination3.8
  • Extent Flexibility3.6
  • Deductive Reasoning3.6

Core activities

  • Getting Information4.8
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.6
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events4.6
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge4.5
  • Handling and Moving Objects4.4
  • Working with Computers4.0

Tools and technology

hotmarks an O*NET hot technology
Microsoft ExcelhotMicrosoft Office softwarehotMicrosoft PowerPointhotMicrosoft WordhotHarris Tech X.over ProHarris Technologies BassBoxInstallalogy Access ClientLinearTeam WinISDMicrosoft Internet ExplorerMobileToys MAIDXL

How to get in

How to become a Electronic Equipment Installer

Job zone 3 of 5 · SVP 6.0 to < 7.0
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Every major mapped to this job

The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.

All 1 majors mapped to Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles1 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
  • 47.0604Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician

Related careers

Jobs O*NET identifies as close to this one, with their own pay and outlook.

Common questions

What degree do you need to become an Electronic Equipment Installer?+

High school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician, which awarded 46,331 degrees in 2024-25, 100.0% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.

Which college majors lead to becoming an Electronic Equipment Installer?+

The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 1 programs to this occupation. The largest are Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians. Together they graduate about 46,331 people a year.

How much do electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles earn?+

The median is $48,420 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). The middle range runs from $35,590 at the 10th percentile to $70,170 at the 90th. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.

Is demand for electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles growing?+

BLS projects a -13.6% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, decline, with roughly 600 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.

How many schools offer programs for this career?+

762 institutions reported graduates from at least one of the 1 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.

What other job titles do electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles work under?+

Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Car Audio Installer, Car Stereo Installer, Automotive Technician, Mobile Electronics Installation Specialist among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 49-2096.

About the data on this page

Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024-25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).

  • BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics

    May 2025

    Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.

  • BLS Employment Projections

    2024–34

    Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.

  • IPEDS Completions

    2024-25 (provisional)

    Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.

  • College Scorecard, Field of Study

    2020-21 cohorts

    Median graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.

  • Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes

    latest available

    Graduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.

  • NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk

    CIP 2020 / SOC 2018

    Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.

  • O*NET Database 30.3

    30.3

    Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.

    Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA

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