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The differences between car audio installers and automotive repair technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a car audio installer and an automotive repair technician. Additionally, an automotive repair technician has an average salary of $43,699, which is higher than the $35,392 average annual salary of a car audio installer.
The top three skills for a car audio installer include GPS, security systems and customer service. The most important skills for an automotive repair technician are diagnosis, professional work, and hand tools.
| Car Audio Installer | Automotive Repair Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $35,392 | $43,699 |
| Hourly rate | $17.02 | $21.01 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 26,094 | 160,366 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A car audio installer specializes in installing audio and speaker systems in different vehicles. They communicate directly with clients to identify their needs and preferences, assisting them by answering inquiries, providing them with cost estimates, giving them instructions, and offering other products and services when necessary. Besides installing, they may also perform maintenance checks, diagnose or troubleshoot issues, and repair or fix components. Moreover, as a car audio installer, it is essential to maintain records of all transactions and monitor the inventory of supplies.
An automotive repair technician specializes in repairing and maintaining automotive equipment and systems. Part of their job requires them to communicate with clients to identify their needs, inspect the vehicles, conduct diagnostic and emission tests, troubleshoot problems, and replace or fix components as necessary. They also provide clients with cost estimates, discuss the extent of damages and needed repairs, and recommend other options or services. Moreover, as an automotive repair technician, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth workflow.
Car audio installers and automotive repair technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Car Audio Installer | Automotive Repair Technician | |
| Average salary | $35,392 | $43,699 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $52,000 | Between $29,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | Los Angeles, CA | Fairfield, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Wireless Advocates | AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Retail |
There are a few differences between a car audio installer and an automotive repair technician in terms of educational background:
| Car Audio Installer | Automotive Repair Technician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Most common major | Business | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between car audio installers' and automotive repair technicians' demographics:
| Car Audio Installer | Automotive Repair Technician | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.4% Female, 4.6% | Male, 94.2% Female, 5.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 22.0% Asian, 4.9% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 5.0% White, 61.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |