What does a car electronics installer do?
A Car Electronics Installer installs, diagnoses, or repairs a motor vehicle's navigation, security, communications, and sound equipment. Their primary duties include installing accessories and equipment like navigation equipment, security systems, communication equipment, and stereos. They use testing and visual inspection instruments like voltmeters and oscilloscopes to identify and diagnose malfunctions on electronic/electrical systems. They also use routers and electric drills to drill holes and cut openings for various equipment and fixtures. They solder connections to different equipment and fixtures and use cutting pliers or knives to splice wires.
Car electronics installer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real car electronics installer resumes:
- Manage a staff of 6, ensuring all car audio and security systems are installed to MECP specifications.
- Schedule and door-to-door installation of new radio read transmitters on residential water meters.
- Schedule and door-to-door installation of new radio read transmitters on residential water meters.
Car electronics installer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 93% of Car Electronics Installers are proficient in GPS, Car Electronics, and Mecp. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Technical skills, and Physical strength.
We break down the percentage of Car Electronics Installers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- GPS, 93%
Install car alarms, car stereos, speakers, GPS units, Satellite radios to best buy standards.
- Car Electronics, 4%
Trained employees on education of car electronics department
- Mecp, 3%
Install all types of car audio/video/security/accessory equipment to MECP standards.
- Customer Vehicles, 0%
Installed aftermarket car audio equipment into customer vehicles
Most car electronics installers use their skills in "gps," "car electronics," and "mecp" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential car electronics installer responsibilities here:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a car electronics installer to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what car electronics installers do because "electrical and electronics installers and repairers work closely with customers, so they must listen to and understand customers’ descriptions of problems and explain solutions in a simple, clear manner." Additionally, a car electronics installer resume shows how car electronics installers use communication skills: "installed electronic equipment and accessories such as sound, navigation, communication equipment, and security systems under extremely tight deadlines. "
Technical skills. Another essential skill to perform car electronics installer duties is technical skills. Car electronics installers responsibilities require that "electrical and electronics installers and repairers use a variety of mechanical and diagnostic tools to install or repair equipment." Car electronics installers also use technical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "perform superior technical skills installing umts ericsson rbs 3018 and 3518 cabinets and radio equipment resulting in successful customer closeouts. "
Physical strength. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of car electronics installers is physical strength. This skill is critical to many everyday car electronics installer duties, as "electrical and electronics installers and repairers may need to lift heavy parts during the repair process." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "help sales floor strengthen their car audio knowledge and installation procedures. "
Color vision. For certain car electronics installer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "color vision." The day-to-day duties of a car electronics installer rely on this skill, as "electrical and electronics installers and repairers must be able to identify the color-coded components that are often used in electronic equipment." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what car electronics installers do: "repair televisions and other consumer electronics devicesinstall home audio/ video systems. "
Troubleshooting skills. Another crucial skill for a car electronics installer to carry out their responsibilities is "troubleshooting skills." A big part of what car electronics installers relies on this skill, since "electrical and electronics installers and repairers must be able to identify problems with equipment and systems and make the necessary repairs." How this skill relates to car electronics installer duties can be seen in an example from a car electronics installer resume snippet: "trained in programming and troubleshooting m/a com, harris, motorola, and kenwood radio systems. "
The three companies that hire the most car electronics installers are:
- Wireless Advocates21 car electronics installers jobs
Compare different car electronics installers
Car electronics installer vs. Automotive electrician
Installers are assigned to assemble equipment or fixtures in the client's work or home area. They should have extensive knowledge of the product they will install to ensure it works as intended. They should also be familiar with handling different tools, especially those that would help them build the product. Installers should be able to walk the client through how to use the product. They should also be able to answer any inquiries that the client may have. Installers should have quick decision-making skills, interpersonal skills, and creativity.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a car electronics installer are more likely to require skills like "professional appearance," "certification test," "car electronics," and "mecp." On the other hand, a job as an automotive electrician requires skills like "hand tools," "electrical equipment," "electrical systems," and "vehicle systems." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
The education levels that automotive electricians earn slightly differ from car electronics installers. In particular, automotive electricians are 3.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a car electronics installer. Additionally, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Car electronics installer vs. Auto electrician
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that car electronics installer responsibilities requires skills like "professional appearance," "certification test," "car electronics," and "mecp." But an auto electrician might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "passenger vehicles," "mechanical faults," "diagnosis," and "electrical repairs."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Auto electricians tend to reach higher levels of education than car electronics installers. In fact, they're 8.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Car electronics installer vs. Installer
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from car electronics installer resumes include skills like "professional appearance," "certification test," "car electronics," and "mecp," whereas an installer is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "windows," "plumbing," and "work ethic. "
Installers typically earn similar educational levels compared to car electronics installers. Specifically, they're 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Car electronics installer vs. Auto phone installer
Types of car electronics installer
Updated January 8, 2025
