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What They Do

Insider Info

If you love cars and music, there's a career in tune with your interests!

Car stereo installers are called on to enhance, add to or totally replace the sound systems in vehicles. This may include amps, speaker boxes, woofers and tweeters.

The newest stereos (head units) are able to handle MP3s, USB devices and SD cards.

There's a range of systems that installers may work on. Some customers only wish to spend a few hundred dollars, others a few thousand. For others, the sky is the limit.

For an installer to be successful, they must be extremely knowledgeable about their field. Speaker boxes must be perfectly customized, grounding wires must be installed in the right place and the wattage must be calculated exactly. Otherwise, the stereo will not perform to its full potential. Attention to detail means everything in this career.

Since technology is constantly changing, an installer must continually learn.

"One of the biggest trends I see is using your portable player in your vehicle," says Theresa Hephner. She's a former car stereo installer. She now works as the national accounts director for a car stereo manufacturer in Tempe, Arizona.

Car stereos are getting fancier and more complicated. So those with good technical training are in demand.

"Due to the updated and integrated technologies in newer vehicles, the demand for skilled technicians is higher than in previous years," says Vince Edwards. He's an installer and sales manager at a car stereo store.

Ian Walls, who owns a car stereo store, says that people are less likely to be able to install their own stereos these days. That's because stereos are more complicated and more likely to be integrated with other devices.

For example, the stereo often includes other electronics, such as the chime for "door ajar" or "keys in ignition." The stereo may also include warning circuits for things like ABS brakes and airbags. If you remove the stereo, you might be removing other important functions!

Some car stereo installers become managers after a few years. Others eventually open their own shops. And some end up going back to school to become journeyman electricians.

Don't expect to work just nine to five. Generally speaking, you have to stay until the job is done. At times, you might have to work evenings.

"It's not something where you just punch in or punch out," says Carlos Zambrano. He's a former car audio installer. He now works for a training school in New Jersey that teaches installation. "If you're stuck on something, sometimes they demand more of you, [so] you might have to stay later. But it's something, if you're in the field, you're going to enjoy doing."

Zambrano visits high schools, car shows and career events to spread the word about opportunities in car stereo installation.

"Most of them want to start a career, or build a hobby, or they just want a career change," says Zambrano. "We explain that if you like cars and you like music, then this is the field to be in."

At a Glance

Set up audio equipment in cars

  • Customer service is extremely important
  • Be prepared to put in some long hours
  • Professional certification will serve you well