Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles
Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles (SOC 49-2096) earn a median $48,420 a year ($23.28 an hour) in the United States, with 8,550 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Kentucky.
What electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles do
These technicians install, diagnose or repair communications, sound, security and navigation equipment in motor vehicles. They fit equipment and accessories such as stereos, navigation units, communication gear and security systems, run new speaker and electrical cables, and cut openings and drill holes for fixtures and equipment with electric drills and routers. Wires are spliced with knives or cutting pliers and connections are soldered to fixtures and equipment. Some jobs involve removing seats, carpeting and door interiors to add sound-absorbing material in empty spaces and then reinstalling the interior parts. When a customer reports a problem, they confer with the customer to determine the nature of the malfunction, inspect and test electrical or electronic systems with visual inspections and instruments such as oscilloscopes and voltmeters, and repair the fault. Titles include car audio installer, car alarm installer, auto radio mechanic and burglar alarm installer. The occupation differs from audiovisual equipment installers (49-2097) and from transportation equipment electronics (49-2093).
Typical entry: According to O*NET, the most common level is a postsecondary certificate earned through a training program after high school.
Also called: Auto Electrician (Automotive Electrician), Auto Phone Installer, Auto Radio Mechanic, Automatic Window Seat and Top Lift Repairer, Automotive Technician.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $17.11 | $20.82 | $23.28 | $28.12 | $33.74 | $24.79 | 8,550 |
| Annual | $35,590 | $43,310 | $48,420 | $58,500 | $70,170 | $51,560 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Kentucky | Hourly | $20.02 | $21.53 | $31.05 | $31.66 | $32.59 | $26.99 | 40 | 0.02 | 0.36 |
| Annual | $41,630 | $44,780 | $64,570 | $65,850 | $67,790 | $56,130 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $22.64 | $24.08 | $28.95 | $35.87 | $39.31 | $30.09 | 290 | 0.03 | 0.54 |
| Annual | $47,100 | $50,090 | $60,220 | $74,610 | $81,770 | $62,580 | ||||
| Colorado | Hourly | $22.37 | $23.36 | $28.88 | $29.84 | $41.41 | $29.06 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $46,530 | $48,600 | $60,070 | $62,070 | $86,120 | $60,450 | ||||
| Georgia | Hourly | $19.47 | $22.13 | $28.63 | $37.70 | $47.75 | $30.32 | 300 | 0.06 | 1.12 |
| Annual | $40,500 | $46,020 | $59,550 | $78,420 | $99,310 | $63,060 | ||||
| Washington | Hourly | $23.50 | $24.31 | $28.37 | $28.38 | $28.41 | $28.26 | 120 | 0.03 | 0.62 |
| Annual | $48,880 | $50,560 | $59,010 | $59,020 | $59,080 | $58,780 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Texas | Hourly | $15.69 | $21.52 | $23.43 | $28.76 | $32.89 | $24.99 | 1,210 | 0.09 | 1.57 |
| Annual | $32,640 | $44,760 | $48,730 | $59,820 | $68,410 | $51,980 | ||||
| California | Hourly | $16.50 | $20.50 | $23.32 | $30.00 | $42.47 | $26.35 | 960 | 0.05 | 0.96 |
| Annual | $34,320 | $42,630 | $48,500 | $62,400 | $88,330 | $54,800 | ||||
| Florida | Hourly | $19.29 | $21.31 | $23.07 | $27.54 | $35.28 | $25.39 | 660 | 0.07 | 1.21 |
| Annual | $40,110 | $44,310 | $47,980 | $57,280 | $73,390 | $52,800 | ||||
| Indiana | Hourly | $20.31 | $22.77 | $27.27 | $29.28 | $36.49 | $27.30 | 470 | 0.15 | 2.69 |
| Annual | $42,250 | $47,350 | $56,730 | $60,900 | $75,910 | $56,790 | ||||
| Virginia | Hourly | $18.84 | $21.36 | $23.66 | $25.33 | $29.44 | $23.70 | 440 | 0.11 | 1.94 |
| Annual | $39,180 | $44,420 | $49,210 | $52,680 | $61,240 | $49,300 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | Hourly | $19.13 | $26.66 | $37.70 | $37.71 | $47.75 | $34.38 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $39,790 | $55,450 | $78,420 | $78,440 | $99,310 | $71,500 | ||||
| Urban Honolulu, HI | Hourly | $15.37 | $15.37 | $32.93 | $37.35 | $37.35 | $27.50 | 60 | 0.14 | 2.59 |
| Annual | $31,970 | $31,970 | $68,480 | $77,680 | $77,680 | $57,200 | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $23.35 | $24.21 | $30.14 | $30.14 | $40.68 | $30.74 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $48,560 | $50,360 | $62,680 | $62,680 | $84,610 | $63,940 | ||||
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | Hourly | $22.62 | $23.54 | $29.84 | $29.84 | $45.62 | $30.03 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $47,050 | $48,970 | $62,070 | $62,070 | $94,890 | $62,460 | ||||
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | Hourly | $20.55 | $22.31 | $29.28 | $31.71 | $32.59 | $28.15 | 40 | 0.06 | 1.10 |
| Annual | $42,740 | $46,390 | $60,900 | $65,960 | $67,790 | $58,560 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | Hourly | $15.74 | $22.83 | $25.09 | $28.79 | $38.28 | $26.12 | 390 | 0.10 | 1.74 |
| Annual | $32,740 | $47,480 | $52,180 | $59,880 | $79,620 | $54,320 | ||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $19.74 | $22.71 | $26.41 | $35.87 | $38.95 | $28.26 | 370 | 0.04 | 0.70 |
| Annual | $41,070 | $47,240 | $54,930 | $74,610 | $81,020 | $58,780 | ||||
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | Hourly | $22.76 | $23.09 | $28.31 | $32.80 | $38.30 | $28.78 | 260 | 2.07 | 37.66 |
| Annual | $47,350 | $48,030 | $58,890 | $68,220 | $79,670 | $59,870 | ||||
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | Hourly | $18.90 | $22.41 | $23.97 | $29.87 | $31.90 | $25.95 | 230 | 0.07 | 1.29 |
| Annual | $39,320 | $46,610 | $49,850 | $62,130 | $66,350 | $53,980 | ||||
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | Hourly | $18.52 | $23.53 | $23.92 | $30.74 | $35.87 | $26.55 | 210 | 0.11 | 1.94 |
| Annual | $38,520 | $48,950 | $49,740 | $63,950 | $74,610 | $55,220 | ||||
Top industries employing electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles
Automotive Parts, Accessories, and Tire Retailers employ 27.8% of electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles nationally (2,380 jobs) at a median $45,760 a year ($22.00 an hour), followed by Electronics and Appliance Retailers (19.8%) and Automotive Repair and Maintenance (10.4%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Parts, Accessories, and Tire Retailers NAICS 441300 | 2,380 | 27.8% | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Electronics and Appliance Retailers NAICS 449200 | 1,690 | 19.8% | $46,960 | $22.58 |
| Automotive Repair and Maintenance NAICS 811100 | 890 | 10.4% | $49,830 | $23.96 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing NAICS 336300 | 630 | 7.4% | $48,970 | $23.54 |
| Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance NAICS 811200 | 520 | 6.1% | $49,740 | $23.91 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (8,550). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $40,670 for electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles in May 2021 and $48,420 in May 2025, with employment of 9,000 and 8,550.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $40,670 | $19.55 | 9,000 |
| May 2022 | $41,600 | $20.00 | 9,450 |
| May 2023 | $45,570 | $21.91 | 8,900 |
| May 2024 | $47,940 | $23.05 | 10,140 |
| May 2025 | $48,420 | $23.28 | 8,550 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
40 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kentucky profile | $31.05 | $64,570 | $41,630 | $67,790 | 40 | 0.02 | 0.36 |
| 2 | New York profile | $28.95 | $60,220 | $47,100 | $81,770 | 290 | 0.03 | 0.54 |
| 3 | Colorado profile | $28.88 | $60,070 | $46,530 | $86,120 | ** | ** | ** |
| 4 | Georgia profile | $28.63 | $59,550 | $40,500 | $99,310 | 300 | 0.06 | 1.12 |
| 5 | Washington profile | $28.37 | $59,010 | $48,880 | $59,080 | 120 | 0.03 | 0.62 |
| 6 | Arizona profile | $27.54 | $57,280 | $38,200 | $68,020 | 40 | 0.01 | 0.20 |
| 7 | Indiana profile | $27.27 | $56,730 | $42,250 | $75,910 | 470 | 0.15 | 2.69 |
| 8 | Oregon profile | $26.92 | $56,000 | $45,260 | $63,350 | 200 | 0.10 | 1.87 |
| 9 | Idaho profile | $26.81 | $55,760 | $44,460 | $59,630 | 90 | 0.10 | 1.88 |
| 10 | Iowa profile | $26.52 | $55,160 | $46,430 | $69,710 | ** | ** | ** |
| 11 | West Virginia profile | $24.95 | $51,890 | $34,320 | $53,110 | 40 | 0.05 | 0.93 |
| 12 | Montana profile | $24.00 | $49,920 | $45,740 | $58,930 | 40 | 0.07 | 1.28 |
| 13 | Minnesota profile | $23.91 | $49,740 | $38,370 | $74,610 | 250 | 0.09 | 1.57 |
| 14 | New Mexico profile | $23.70 | $49,300 | $36,750 | $60,610 | 160 | 0.18 | 3.32 |
| 15 | Virginia profile | $23.66 | $49,210 | $39,180 | $61,240 | 440 | 0.11 | 1.94 |
| 16 | Tennessee profile | $23.63 | $49,140 | $45,840 | $61,880 | 210 | 0.06 | 1.17 |
| 17 | Texas profile | $23.43 | $48,730 | $32,640 | $68,410 | 1,210 | 0.09 | 1.57 |
| 18 | California profile | $23.32 | $48,500 | $34,320 | $88,330 | 960 | 0.05 | 0.96 |
| 19 | South Carolina profile | $23.19 | $48,230 | $19,570 | $54,040 | 230 | 0.10 | 1.79 |
| 20 | Michigan profile | $23.11 | $48,070 | $36,950 | $56,560 | 80 | 0.02 | 0.33 |
| 21 | Florida profile | $23.07 | $47,980 | $40,110 | $73,390 | 660 | 0.07 | 1.21 |
| 22 | Hawaii profile | $22.97 | $47,780 | $31,970 | $77,680 | 70 | 0.11 | 2.07 |
| 23 | Nebraska profile | $22.90 | $47,630 | $45,340 | $52,450 | ** | ** | ** |
| 24 | Massachusetts profile | $22.88 | $47,590 | $37,900 | $58,830 | 220 | 0.06 | 1.11 |
| 25 | North Dakota profile | $22.75 | $47,310 | $44,990 | $60,730 | 100 | 0.23 | 4.11 |
| 26 | Illinois profile | $22.67 | $47,150 | $39,540 | $58,200 | 170 | 0.03 | 0.50 |
| 27 | North Carolina profile | $22.52 | $46,850 | $37,470 | $65,440 | 190 | 0.04 | 0.71 |
| 28 | Nevada profile | $22.16 | $46,100 | $39,120 | $57,000 | ** | ** | ** |
| 29 | Ohio profile | $21.69 | $45,120 | $36,430 | $60,430 | 230 | 0.04 | 0.75 |
| 30 | Connecticut profile | $21.63 | $44,980 | $35,360 | $51,630 | 90 | 0.06 | 1.01 |
| 31 | Arkansas profile | $19.96 | $41,510 | $32,960 | $50,590 | 80 | 0.06 | 1.11 |
| 32 | New Jersey profile | $19.75 | $41,070 | $35,660 | $54,090 | 170 | 0.04 | 0.72 |
| 33 | Louisiana profile | $19.73 | $41,040 | $30,850 | $54,900 | ** | ** | ** |
| 34 | Missouri profile | $18.64 | $38,760 | $34,530 | $62,090 | 70 | 0.03 | 0.46 |
| 35 | Alabama profile | $18.52 | $38,520 | $36,950 | $44,810 | 70 | 0.03 | 0.57 |
| 36 | Mississippi profile | $18.51 | $38,500 | $30,250 | $55,940 | 90 | 0.08 | 1.38 |
| 37 | Wisconsin profile | $18.30 | $38,070 | $35,710 | $50,700 | ** | ** | ** |
| 38 | Kansas profile | $16.05 | $33,380 | $32,330 | $44,180 | 90 | 0.06 | 1.14 |
| 39 | Pennsylvania profile | $12.81 | $26,640 | $23,650 | $51,380 | ** | ** | ** |
| – | Delaware profile | * | * | * | * | 50 | 0.11 | 2.02 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (49-2090), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 49-2096 Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles.
*- Wage estimate not available.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 49-2096, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 49-2096.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.