Installer Wages
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Discription: General Mobile Electronics Questions and Answers
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=169
Printed Date: June 18, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Topic: Installer Wages
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Subject: Installer Wages
Date Posted: March 28, 2002 at 1:39 PM
Just curious as to what all other installers are getting for wages from your respective geographical areas? I'm in central Canada and was curious to know what starting wages for installers are in the USA or the rest of Canada ? ------------- Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
Replies:
Posted By: Sassmaster
Date Posted: April 16, 2002 at 10:28 AM
hey, I'm in SW ontario, and just starting out actually, but I base my rate on the rate I get as an electrician, but obviously a little lower. People are generally willing to pay more for better quality, and I do my work in the same way I do industrial panels and wiring, make t all neat, good looking, and make it so it will not only las forever, but be easy to modify and add to.
-------------
Part time installer in SW Ontario, Industrial electrician.
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: April 16, 2002 at 2:19 PM
So how much do installers make ? I know shop rates are inflated in comparison to how much the actual installer makes, but I was curious about the pay rate for an installer who works for a company like A&B Sound or Future Shop ? Thanks for the input.
-------------
Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
Posted By: Sassmaster
Date Posted: April 17, 2002 at 8:05 AM
the guys @ futureshop make about 10-12 dollars/hr. (but their work is ugly, and not terribly reliable)
-------------
Part time installer in SW Ontario, Industrial electrician.
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: April 17, 2002 at 2:46 PM
Thanks for the info. I know that most of these guys at the Future Shop and A&B Sound stores hire kids that are learning or want to learn . Not too many are MECP certified. Thanks again for the info. ------------- Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
Posted By: mobiletoys2002
Date Posted: April 20, 2002 at 6:44 PM
mecp installes can make 14 an hour in new jersey velocity to start and thats in a more profesional environment no crimps all solder no half ass work thats aproximate personally i make 19 an hour but i been there for years 2 yearsand i am mecp certified so the wages are up there for mecp and these garbage low end stores well its not there see ya -------------
Posted By: mytloud1
Date Posted: May 20, 2002 at 8:25 PM
the only shop in our area, northwestern ohio, pays $8 per hour starting, plus commission on some work, such as remote start, alarms, keyless entry. audio installs pay no extra.
Posted By: mytloud1
Date Posted: May 20, 2002 at 8:26 PM
i forgot to say, this is with no mecp, or experience.
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: May 20, 2002 at 9:18 PM
Still better than what is offered out in our neck of the woods... not to mention it's Canadian $$$  ------------- Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
Posted By: oldboy
Date Posted: May 21, 2002 at 12:26 AM
Well Jeff, Should move to my end of the world. Pay rate is about $17 (AUS) per hour which i think is damn good. Regards..... Tony
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: May 21, 2002 at 8:23 AM
$ 17.00 AUS is about how much Can. or USD ? Is there a high demand for installers out in Australia ? I'm considering moving in the next couple of years and I'm open to almost anywhere in the world right about now  . Also is $ 17.00 MECP certified wages or just of the street person can get this ? Thanks everyone who has answered this thread . ------------- Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
Posted By: Big Dog
Date Posted: May 21, 2002 at 2:37 PM
Hey Guys, Here in Quebec the wages vary between shops. Most guys make around 15 / hr. I make 18/hr work / no work. I've been installing for 24 years. MECP makes no difference to owners as long as you produce without come-backs. We are obligated to belong to a parity comittee and give 'em a slice of the pie (or they break our legs).  ------------- Prepare your future. It wasn't the lack of stones that killed the stone age.
Posted By: oldboy
Date Posted: May 21, 2002 at 5:16 PM
Jeff, Dont know how to work out the exchange rate but at that rate of pay that makes my wage fairly attractive. There is no accreditation needed in Australia at this stage(although there is talk of it soon). I am actually working for D E I here in Australia and although things are a bit down at the moment there is generally not enough time to scratch my bum. Mostly upgrades and cruise controls now but alarms are still big. Regards... Tony
Posted By: jmichel
Date Posted: June 05, 2002 at 10:52 AM
Hey there, I have been installing in Saskatchewan, Canada for about 8 years, no certification, one come-back in all the time I have installed and I charge myself out at $25-30/hour. I figure that the knowledge and expertise that we as installers posess is no different than the guy at the garage that works on your car for 25 bucks an hour. Comments invited.
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: June 05, 2002 at 11:00 AM
Where in Sask are you located ?? At $ 25 - 30 you must have your own business as well , right ? Do you employ installers or just yourself ? Thanks for taking the time to look at this post and answer the questions that I have on installer wages from different parts of the world. ------------- Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
Posted By: CTMobileMedia
Date Posted: June 05, 2002 at 4:17 PM
Hey Jeff, I base my install labor rate at $50/hr when I estimate a job. I charge more for more involved work, such as fiberglass, etc. up to about $100/hr. I know I'm pretty expensive. This is for my installation work only. The fee would be less if I let another guy do an install. I don't employ any installers. In the past, I paid a percentage of the install fee to the installer - it often worked out to about $12/hr US for a non-MECP certified guy. Often I trained him, which required some of my installation work and general oversight. in addition to handling customers. Dave CT Mobile Media
Posted By: Dan M C.
Date Posted: June 05, 2002 at 9:31 PM
Hi Jeff, i just did a dollar conversion from $Australian dollar to $Canadian and the $17/hr works out to be just under $15/hr.Now a lot of people know your talent and skill so don't be surprized if you get an exellent job offer,good luck Jeff !  -------------
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: June 05, 2002 at 10:40 PM
Thanks for the information Dave and Dan. Aussie land would be nice to work in but too far to travel for $ 15.00 an hour  I'd like to charge $ 100 an hour like Dave does, but I would be the only one paying that cause no one would be willing to pay that in my neck of the woods. I think I need to find a different profession.... maybe a deep sea welder . ------------- Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
|