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Job Outlook for:
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers

SOC: 49-2096        OOH: U373

Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers
Quick Stats
Total Jobs in 2016 135,000
Expected Growth 1%    (Little or no change)
New Jobs To Be Added
from 2016 to 2026
1,100
Median Pay $55,000 to $74,999

 

 

Employment Outlook for Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers

Overall employment of electrical and electronics installers and repairers is projected to show little or no change from 2016 to 2026. Growth rates will vary by occupation.

Employment of electrical and electronics installers and repairers of commercial and industrial equipment, which represents about half of this profile’s 2016 employment, is projected to grow 2 percent from 2016 to 2026, slower than the average for all occupations. As the industrial sectors of the economy expand, these workers will be needed to service and repair equipment.

Employment of powerhouse, substation, and relay electrical and electronics installers and repairers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2016 to 2026, slower than the average for all occupations. Although the installation of new, energy-efficient technologies will likely spur demand for some new workers, slow employment growth in the utilities industries is expected to temper demand for these workers.

Employment of electric motor, power tool, and related repairers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Improvements in electrical and electronic equipment design, as well as the increased use of disposable tool parts, are expected to result in slow employment growth.

Employment of electrical and electronics installers and repairers of transportation equipment is projected to grow 3 percent from 2016 to 2026, slower than the average for all occupations. Increasing employment in local governments is expected to drive most of the employment growth.

Employment of motor vehicle electronic equipment installers and repairers, which represents less than 10 percent of this profile’s 2016 employment, is projected to decline 25 percent from 2016 to 2026. Motor vehicle manufacturers continue to install more and higher quality sound, security, entertainment, and navigation systems in new vehicles. These new electronic systems require less maintenance and will limit installation of aftermarket products.

Job Prospects

Overall job opportunities should be good for qualified workers who are familiar with electronics, especially those with an associate’s degree in electronics.

The best job opportunities should be for commercial and industrial equipment installers and repairers as the need to replace retiring workers should result in many job openings. Conversely, few opportunities will be available for motor vehicle equipment installers and repairers as the amount of aftermarket installations continues to decline.

 

 


 

Typical Pay for Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers

The median annual wage for electrical and electronics installers and repairers was $55,920 in May 2016. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $30,810, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $84,990.

Median annual wages for electrical and electronics installers and repairers in May 2016 were as follows:

Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay $75,670
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipment 59,280
Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment 56,250
Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers 41,570
Electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles 32,220

In May 2016, the median annual wages for electrical and electronics installers and repairers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Utilities $76,670
Government 62,590
Manufacturing 55,060
Wholesale trade 47,140
Repair and maintenance 45,250

The majority of electrical and electronics installers and repairers worked full time in 2016.



 

What Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers Do All Day

Electrical and electronics installers and repairers install or repair a variety of electrical equipment in telecommunications, transportation, utilities, and other industries.

Duties

Electrical and electronics installers and repairers typically do the following:

  • Discuss problems and requirements with customers
  • Inspect and test equipment
  • Reproduce, isolate, and diagnose problems
  • Disassemble equipment as necessary to access problematic components
  • Clean, repair, and replace components
  • Reassemble and test equipment after repairs
  • Keep records of repairs, tests, parts, and labor hours

Modern manufacturing plants and transportation systems use a large amount of electrical and electronics equipment, from assembly line motors to sonar systems. Electrical and electronics installers and repairers fix and maintain these complex pieces of equipment.

Because automated electronic control systems are becoming more complex, repairers use software programs and testing equipment to diagnose malfunctions. Among their diagnostic tools are multimeters—which measure voltage, current, and resistance—and advanced multimeters, which measure the capacitance, inductance, and current gain of transistors.

Repairers also use signal generators, which provide test signals, and oscilloscopes, which display signals graphically. In addition, repairers often use hand tools such as pliers, screwdrivers, and wrenches to replace faulty parts and adjust equipment.

The following are examples of types of electrical and electronics installers and repairers:

Commercial and industrial electrical and electronics equipment repairers adjust, test, repair, or install electronic equipment, such as industrial controls, transmitters, and antennas.

Electric motor, power tool, and related repairerssuch as armature winders, generator mechanics, and electric golf cart repairers—specialize in installing, maintaining, and repairing electric motors, wiring, or switches.

Electrical and electronics installers and repairers of transportation equipment install, adjust, or maintain mobile communication equipment, including sound, sonar, security, navigation, and surveillance systems on trains, watercraft, or other vehicles.

Electronic equipment installers and repairers of motor vehicles install, diagnose, and repair sound, security, and navigation equipment in motor vehicles. These installers and repairers work with a range of complex electronic equipment, including digital audio and video players, navigation systems, and passive and active security systems.

Powerhouse, substation, and relay electrical and electronics repairers inspect, test, maintain, or repair electrical equipment used in generating stations, substations, and in-service relays. These workers also may be known as powerhouse electricians, relay technicians, or power transformer repairers.

 



 

Work Environment for Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers

Electrical and electronics installers and repairers held about 135,000 jobs in 2016. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up electrical and electronics installers and repairers was distributed as follows:

Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment 68,300
Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay 23,400
Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers 17,300
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipment 13,900
Electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles 12,100

The largest employers of electrical and electronics installers and repairers were as follows:

Manufacturing 20%
Government 16
Wholesale trade 13
Utilities 12
Repair and maintenance 11

Many electrical and electronics installers and repairers work in repair shops or in factories, and some may work outside when they travel to job sites.  

Installers and repairers may have to lift heavy equipment and work in awkward positions. They spend most of their day walking, standing, or kneeling.

Work Schedules

The majority of electrical and electronics installers and repairers worked full time in 2016.

 


 

How To Become an Electrical or Electronics Installer and Repairer

Electrical and electronics installers and repairers need at least a high school education, but most specializations require further preparation through advanced education, work experience, or both.

Education

Electrical and electronics installers and repairers must understand electrical equipment and electronics. As a result, employers often prefer applicants who have taken courses in electronics at a community college or technical school. Courses usually cover AC and DC electronics, electronic devices, and microcontrollers. It is important for prospects to choose schools that include hands-on training in order to gain practical experience.

Training

In addition to technical education, workers usually receive training on specific types of equipment. This may involve manufacturer-specific training for repairers who will perform warranty work.

Before working independently, entry-level repairers usually develop their skills while working with experienced technicians who provide technical guidance.

Work Experience in a Related Occupation

Some electrical and electronics installers and repairers need prior work experience. Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers typically begin by helping in machine or electrical workshops, where they gain experience with tools and motors.

Powerhouse, substation, and relay electrical and electronics repairers often gain experience by first working as electricians.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

While certification is not required, a number of organizations offer it, and it can be useful in getting a job. For example, the Electronics Technicians Association International (ETA International) offers more than 50 certification programs in numerous electronics specialties for various levels of competency. The International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians (ISCET) also offers certification for several levels of competence. The ISCET focuses on a broad range of topics, including basic electronics, electronic systems, and appliance service. To become certified, applicants must meet prerequisites and pass a comprehensive exam.

Important Qualities

Color vision. Electrical and electronics installers and repairers must be able to identify the color-coded components that are often used in electronic equipment.

Communication skills. 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.

Physical stamina. Some electrical and electronics installers and repairers must stand at their station for their full shift, which can be tiring.

Physical strength. Electrical and electronics installers and repairers may need to lift heavy parts during the repair process. Some components weigh over 50 pounds.

Technical skills. Electrical and electronics installers and repairers use a variety of mechanical and diagnostic tools to install or repair equipment.

Troubleshooting skills. Electrical and electronics installers and repairers must be able to identify problems with equipment and systems and make the necessary repairs.

 

 

 

 

 

"Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers"   SOC:  49-2096     OOH Code: U373

Thank you BLS.gov.