How much does a car electronics tech make?
Answer: A typical car electronics tech in the United States makes $48,420 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 9,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Car electronics tech pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35,590 | $48,420 | $70,170 | about 9,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | $48,730 | about 1,000 |
| California | $48,500 | about 960 |
| Florida | $47,980 | about 660 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., experience, useful certifications, and skill with tricky electronics can affect pay. The shop or dealer, location, and hours—including overtime or shifts—also matter.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a car electronics tech do?
Install, diagnose, or repair communications, sound, security, or navigation equipment in motor vehicles.
What's a typical day like?
They ask drivers what is wrong, then test stereos, navigation, or security systems with meters. They may remove door panels, run and solder wires, install equipment, check it works, and record results.
How to get this job
In the U.S., finish high school, study electronics at a technical school or community college, then train beside an experienced shop technician; on-the-job learning often takes one to two years. MECP certification is optional.
Vocational school or a few years' experience (preparation level 3 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
Some car electronics techs remove seats and door panels to hide sound-absorbing material inside a car, then carefully put the interior back together.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/49-2096.00
- www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/electrical-and-electronics-i
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- mecp.com/
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY