Career: Consumer Electronics Technicians
From flat-screen TVs to MP3 players, technology keeps us entertained. But as revolutionary as these new gadgets seem, they break down like anything else.
Consumer electronics technicians install and repair a range of equipment, from security systems to cell phones. They may use sophisticated testing tools such as oscilloscopes to analyze complex wave patterns -- or a tried-and-true wrench to tighten a loose part. Either way, they keep up with cutting-edge technology.
Consumer electronics technicians repair TVs, radios, stereos, DVD and video players, camcorders, satellite dishes, and other electronic equipment found in our homes and on our bodies.
Did You Know?
- One in four consumer electronics technicians was self-employed in 2002. That’s more than four times the number of self-employed in the installation and repair business overall.
Are You Ready To...?
- Balance the audio on a surround-sound system
- Install a security system in someone’s home
- Read manufacturers’ specifications to discover why a video camera isn’t working
- Solder a tiny part to the surface of a circuit board
It Helps to Be...
Independent. You might spend a lot of time in the field at client homes and offices where you’ll need to make decisions on your own.
Make High School Count
- Get hands-on experience in electronics and shop electives.
- Look for a summer job or internship in the field.
- Do your best in math, physics, and chemistry. A good understanding of science concepts will help you understand how electronic and mechanical systems work.
- Pay attention in English and sign up for speech. You’ll be reading technical manuals and showing customers how to use and care for their new equipment.
Did You Know?
- Consumer electronics technology changes quickly -- and as a technician, you’ll need to keep up.
Outlook
Government economists expect jobs for consumer electronics technicians to grow more slowly than the average for other careers through 2016.
DVD players, televisions, and other electronic items keep getting cheaper. So when these items break, people often buy new ones instead of paying for repairs -- and that means fewer technicians will be needed. However, as more sophisticated (and therefore more expensive) equipment is introduced, getting it repaired may become more of a bargain.
Compensation
The average hourly wage in 2007 for consumer electronics technicians was $15.94, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Bench technicians, who work in shops, tend to make more money than field technicians, who work on site.
