How long does it take to become an Installation Technician?

It takes 4 years of professional experience to become an installation technician. That is the time it takes to learn specific installation technician skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education. If you include the normal education requirements to complete a college degree, then it takes 7 to 9 years years to become an installation technician.

Do you need a degree to be a technician?

No, you do not need a degree to be a technician. The qualifications needed to become a technician are a high school diploma or GED and a willingness to learn. However, earning an associate's or bachelor's degree can help you land a technician position and help you advance in your career.

How much do installation technicians make?

Installation technicians make $34,203 per year, on average ($16.44 per hour). The range in how much an installation technician can make starts from as little as $26,000 to as much as $43,000 a year. Factors such as location and industry type all impact how much an installation technician can make.

What qualifications do you need to be a technician?

The qualifications needed to become a technician are, at minimum, a high school diploma or equivalent and certification. Additional education and experience may be required and are typically desirable.

What is an installation technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

John Terasconi

An installation technician installs and maintains various types of equipment and systems, such as computer networks, security systems, HVAC systems, and audiovisual equipment. This job requires a strong technical background, problem-solving, and communication skills. Installation technicians read blueprints and schematics, troubleshoot issues, and work collaboratively. They also may travel to job sites and work in various environments. Overall, installation technicians ensure the proper installation and function of technology and systems.

What general advice would you give to an installation technician?

John Terasconi

Associate Professor, HVAC-R Department Chair, Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology

The best advice I could give is to stay focused on your job and strive to learn as much as possible. Take the time to truly understand the systems you're working on, continuously develop your skills, and absorb as much knowledge as possible from every source available. The more you know, the more valuable you become.

ScoreInstallation TechnicianUS Average

Salary

3.0

Avg. Salary $38,043

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.5

Growth rate 8%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.63%

Asian 6.26%

Black or African American 12.35%

Hispanic or Latino 18.17%

Unknown 4.75%

White 57.84%

Gender

female 4.38%

male 95.62%

Age - 46

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46

Stress level

7.5

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.7

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.5

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an installation technician?

Pros

Job stability and security
Opportunities for advancement
Competitive salary and benefits packages
Opportunities for overtime and bonuses
Training and development opportunities

Cons

Long hours and irregular schedules
High stress levels and pressure to meet deadlines
Dealing with difficult customers or situations
Limited job growth potential in some companies or regions
Potential for job insecurity during economic downturns

Key steps to become an installation technician

Explore installation technician education requirements

Most common installation technician degrees

High School Diploma

31.6 %

Associate

29.4 %

Bachelor's

21.5 %

Start to develop specific installation technician skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	19.22%
Ladders	8.27%
Hand Tools	7.74%
Work Ethic	7.43%
Broadband	5.29%

Complete relevant installation technician training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New installation technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an installation technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real installation technician resumes.

Gain additional installation technician certifications

Installation technician certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific installation technician certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for installation technicians include Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma) and CompTIA A+ Certification.

More About Certifications

Research installation technician duties and responsibilities

Project manage the complete installation of power and floor space of Nortel wireless switches.
Install, manage, and troubleshoot CAT3, CAT5, CAT6, and fiber optic infrastructures throughout the greater Tulsa area.
Train to build and verify customer routers, TCP/IP addresses ad gateways.
Inspect buildings, interpret blueprints, and laid out cable lines for telephone, internet, and cable TV.

Prepare your installation technician resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your installation technician resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an installation technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable installation technician resume templates

Build a professional installation technician resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your installation technician resume.

Apply for installation technician jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an installation technician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do installation technicians rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Installation technician reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on May 2020

Pros

I like it because I enjoy doing it.for the past 21years I was doing cabling .so cabling is my life .I like when I get challenges every now and then it build me give me strength to face life

Cons

I don't like when don't get business I feel down and lazy

A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020

Cons

None recognition for excellence

A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019

Pros

Love taking something that can't be used and giving it life again...

Cons

The pay is too low for the experience one must have...

What is an installation technician and how to become one

What general advice would you give to an installation technician?

What are the pros and cons of being an installation technician?

Installation technician career paths

Key steps to become an installation technician

Explore installation technician education requirements

Most common installation technician degrees

Start to develop specific installation technician skills

Complete relevant installation technician training and internships

Gain additional installation technician certifications

Research installation technician duties and responsibilities

Prepare your installation technician resume

Choose from 10+ customizable installation technician resume templates

Apply for installation technician jobs

How did you land your first installation technician job

Average installation technician salary

How do installation technicians rate their job?

Installation technician reviews

Installation technician FAQs

How long does it take to become an Installation Technician?

Do you need a degree to be a technician?

How much do installation technicians make?

What qualifications do you need to be a technician?

Search for installation technician jobs

Installation technician jobs by state