Mobile Electronic Installer as a career?

Home / the12volt's Install Bay / General Discussion / Mobile Electronic Installer as a career? (

Topic Closed)

Welcome Guest :)

Members

< Prev Page < Prev Topic Next Topic >

duct tape

Copper - Posts: 125

Joined: May 18, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: May 22, 2006 at 6:24 AM / IP Logged

installing car audio was my favorite job. i did it for about 8 years. then i realized that there wasnt any money in it unless you were the owner of the shop. I moved into Marine Electronics. Its very comparable to car audio as far as wiring/fabrication are concerned. But after 3 years in the field, i am making almost double what i did in car audio.

Car audio is a great hobby and might get you through college, but i wouldnt try to make a career out of it.

sprawl85

Copper - Posts: 204

Joined: March 15, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: May 22, 2006 at 12:50 PM / IP Logged

15 an hour is doodie pay. I just started a job at a produce distributor and I make 13.75. After 90 days I get 15 an hour and every ninety days I get a buck raise until I cap out at 18. And that is for completely unskilled labor. I wouldn't say it is worth it to work at best buy unless it is part time. Do it while you go to college and get a career that you will enjoy AND that pays good. Unless of course you want to open up your own shop, then you are into some better money possibly and you will need all the experience you can get. Think about it. If you like mobile electronics then you probably like electronics in general. Why not go to college for electronics engineering and make upwards of 60k a year.

fiberglass reminds me of peanut brittle... but fiberglass tastes better!

Velocity Motors

Moderator - Posts: 12,488

This member has made a donation to the12volt.com. Click here for more info.

This member has been recognized as an authority in Electrical Theory. Click here for more info.

This member has been recognized as an authority in Fabrication. Click here for more info.

This member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Audio and Video. Click here for more info.

This member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Security and Convenience. Click here for more info.

Joined: March 08, 2002

Location: Manitoba, Canada

Posted: May 22, 2006 at 10:19 PM / IP Logged

Whatever you decide make sure that you choose the job that makes you happy. Take it from me..........money isn't everything.

Jeff

Velocity Custom Home Theater

Mobile Audio/Video Specialist

Morden, Manitoba CANADA

Search for other posts by Velocity Motors

Ravendarat

Platinum - Posts: 2,806

Joined: February 23, 2004

Location: Canada

Posted: May 22, 2006 at 11:52 PM / IP Logged

I work for a Big Box store and make 16.50 an hour plus 10% of what my bay does. The cap is at about 20 bones an hour and to me its good money. But much more important to me is that I look forward to going to work EVERYDAY. Thats why I work for weeks strait at a time. Last fall I did 48 days strait and it didnt bother me, I just got done doing april and didnt take a day off that month either. I have a blast at my job and the day I stop having fun is the same day I give my 2 weeks. I refuse to do a job I dont enjoy but after 5 years I enjoy it more now than the day I started.

double-secret reverse-osmosis speaker-cone-induced high-level interference distortion, Its a killer

elicoleman

Copper - Posts: 72

Joined: May 31, 2005

Location: United States

Posted: June 06, 2006 at 1:02 AM / IP Logged

Become a Fireman. Good pay and benefits. Lots of time off to install. Mobile Electronic Installer as a career? - Page 2 - Last Post -- posted image.

mustangfoo

Silver - Posts: 371

Joined: November 16, 2005

Location: United States

Posted: June 06, 2006 at 2:11 AM / IP Logged

OK this was great to know, but what if you do it as your own thing like me, I dont work at a shop. I get things close to wholesale and turn around and can still sell them cheaper than best buy and most shops in the surrounding areas, and can definitely do a good if not a great job installing and cheaper than the shops. So who wins there??

gus1

Gold - Posts: 1,013

Joined: October 15, 2003

Location: Canada

Posted: June 06, 2006 at 3:01 PM / IP Logged

Here's my $.02....

As someone who has been at this for close to 15 years now, here is what I've learned.

1) It can be a fun job

2) It is usually pretty interesting, as you generally don't do the same thing for 2 days in a row.

3) I wouldn't think of this as a career.

After you have spent a few years twisting up under dashes, your knees and lower back really begin to hate you a lot. Your hands will take a pretty good beating (my career as a hand model is pretty much over....) Customers WILL start to get to you after a while..... you begin to rally question your sanity after a few years. You begin to ask them "You want to do what? In your 1994 Sunfire?" I mean it really is cool when you are young. It is a dream job for most 18 year old kids that like cars and stereos...... really. Once you get over 30, you start to really not enjoy audio at all, and really look forward to starter season (where the real money is).

Hell, after this many years in this industry, the only next step for me is to be a rep or to be a shop owner. Either that, or go get my CGA......

Like I said, this is a neat JOB, but I wouldn't think of it as a CAREER.

Gus

Wherever I go, that is where I end up......

jambostl

Member - Posts: 11

Joined: April 29, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: June 13, 2006 at 8:23 PM / IP Logged

I am actually a Mobile Install Lead for Best Buy currently.

But the pay isn't bad after years of experience, also after you get you MECP certifications you can make more money. But if you really want to make a career out of it you need to be into doing any and all custom work. thats where the money is. but you have to be in the right location. not everyone wants to spend $400 an a fiberglass box..but since most best buys don't do custom work the pay isn't the best out there. but for a little inside some stores, like mine, do custom work. between the 3 of us we have almost 30 years experience. Some best buy stores will be allowed to do it but most won't. good luck with the job interview and if you need anything you can e-mail me.

< Prev Page

Sorry, you can NOT post a reply.
This topic is closed.

Printable version

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Search the12volt.com

Follow the12volt.com

Disclaimer: *All information on this site ( the12volt.com ) is provided "as is" without any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular use. Any user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and use of this information. Please verify all wire colors and diagrams before applying any information.

Mobile Electronic Installer as a career?

Sorry, you can NOT post a reply.This topic is closed.

Sorry, you can NOT post a reply.
This topic is closed.