How to Become a Mobile Electronics Installer
A question I often get is, "How can I become an installer?". It seems like a straight forward enough question but the answer is not, "Walk into a car stereo shop and ask for one". If you've ever wondered what it takes to become an installer or if you're considering it as a possible career then take note.
Take Off the Rose Tinted Glasses
I'm going to make the informed assumption that you've attempted a few installs before deciding to make car stereo installation a career. That's good. It gives you a small taste of what an installer does. Emphasis on small. Take a few of your past installs and add in the time constraint of finishing them in one day. That's more of the reality of a professional installer. Time is money and if you're working on commission then the faster you can work the better. "Deck and Fours" are going to be your bread and butter, especially when you start out. As you become more experienced you'll start seeing the custom work and competition vehicles that you're probably dreaming of building.
Get Smart
To get to the level of custom work you need to start with the basics. This means understanding vehicle electrical systems, wiring, vehicle acoustics, installation hardware, tool use, etc. There are two ways to learn about that. Experience or school. Experience is how I learned. Doing installs for friends, reading books, watching videos, talking with other installers. Mobile installer school is another option. The schools give you a lot of knowledge in a short amount of time (about 1-2 months for the entire curriculum). There is one major drawback to the schools though. They are expensive. Expect to pay $4-5,000 for tuition and then add another $750-$1,500 for lodging and travel. The plus side is you're almost guaranteed a job if you're willing to relocate.
Get MECP Certified
Another feather in your cap, and one that some employers will require, is MECP certification. These certifications are given by the CEA (Consumer Electronics Association) and are a series of tests that you can take to prove that you have some book knowledge. There are three main tests for installers. They are Basic, Advanced and Master level. You'll need to start with the Basic level unless you have at least one year of experience (the Master test requires three years). If you study the MECP guide diligently you shouldn't have much trouble passing the test. Most of the installer schools will certify you as a Basic level before you leave. Otherwise you can arrange to take the test at a local library.
Build a Resume'
Hopefully you've taken or can take a few pictures of installations you've done in the past. With these you can put together a photo album to show to prospective employers. If not then you can always build an impressive system in your own vehicle to act as a "rolling resume'". If you can't do either than you might try getting in the shop of your choice by starting work as an entry level installer. Basically sweeping the floors and watching the other installers until you're ready to start your own installations. As you prove your abilities as an installer and as an employee you'll be moved up to more complex installations and higher pay.
How Much Will I Get Paid?
The $64,000 question. Or for entry level installers, the $20,000 question. That seems to be about the starting wage for installers, depending on the market. Top installers can make a lot more. Upwards of $50k. It's really hard to say what the average is because it varies by area and by how the shop figures wage. Some pay straight hourly and some pay commission. Some pay a combination of both. The best thing to do is ask installers in your area how they get paid but don't ask them how much they make unless they bring it up. The "big" money is usually paid to the installation manager and can reach into six figures. But this usually involves long hours and plenty of headaches.
The bottom line is this. Mobile electronics installation can be a great career but, like anything, it's not for everybody. As with any career move you need to think hard about what you want to do. Talk to several installers and try to get a feel for what they do. If it sounds good then try to get an entry level position where you can see what the career is really like. You might find it's a perfect match. And if not then you can always go and do something else.
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The Car Audio Help DVD catalog includes five different videos covering many areas of car audio installation and custom fabrication. Topics range from basic system installation (head units, CD changers, amplifiers, speakers, etc.) and mobile security (car alarms and remote start) to subwoofer box design and fiberglass fabrication. If you're interested in custom fabrication and car audio installation be sure to check out what we have to offer. |
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