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The differences between car audio installers and automotive 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 technician. Additionally, an automotive technician has an average salary of $40,910, 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 technician are work ethic, computer system, and customer service.
| Car Audio Installer | Automotive Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $35,392 | $40,910 |
| Hourly rate | $17.02 | $19.67 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 26,094 | 142,840 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| 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 technician is responsible for maintaining the condition of automotive equipment. The duties of an automotive technician include repairing defective automotive components and inspecting and ensuring the auto's performance, stability, and safety. A tech is also responsible for upgrading the electrical systems to boost efficiency, conducting oil changes and tire checks, and installing batteries. An automotive technician also runs quality checks and improves system designs based on clients' specifications. An automotive technician must have excellent knowledge of the mechanical industry and automotive systems to assist clients with their inquiries and concerns.
Car audio installers and automotive technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Car Audio Installer | Automotive Technician | |
| Average salary | $35,392 | $40,910 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $52,000 | Between $29,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Wireless Advocates | Orange County Sheriff's Office |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a car audio installer and an automotive technician in terms of educational background:
| Car Audio Installer | Automotive Technician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Most common major | Business | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between car audio installers' and automotive technicians' demographics:
| Car Audio Installer | Automotive Technician | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.4% Female, 4.6% | Male, 95.8% Female, 4.2% |
| 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, 9.7% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.5% Asian, 5.0% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |