Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles fall under the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair category in the U.S. occupational classification. Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles earn a median salary of $48,420 per year, ranking in the top 71% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -14.5% job growth through 2035, projected to lose jobs through 2035. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles earn?

The median annual wage for electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles is $48,420. That puts electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles at #589 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles is -14.5%, projected to lose jobs through 2035. Employment is projected to move from approximately 8K positions in 2024 to 7K in 2034, a net change of <1K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

What do electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Install equipment and accessories, such as stereos, navigation equipment, communication equipment, and security systems.
2. 2.Replace and clean electrical or electronic components.
3. 3.Splice wires with knives or cutting pliers, and solder connections to fixtures and equipment.
4. 4.Record results of diagnostic tests.
5. 5.Cut openings and drill holes for fixtures and equipment, using electric drills and routers.
6. 6.Run new speaker and electrical cables.
7. 7.Confer with customers to determine the nature of malfunctions.
8. 8.Diagnose or repair problems with electronic equipment, such as sound, navigation, communication, and security equipment, in motor vehicles.

Top skills for electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicle?

Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics
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• Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers
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• Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers
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• Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers
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• Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners
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• Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers
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Common questions parents ask about electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles