Career comparison
Audio and Video Technician vs. Car Electronics Installer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Audio and video technicians earn more at the median ($58,100 vs. $48,420), while car electronics installers usually get to work faster (A few months on the job of training). Audio and video technicians set up and run sound, video and lighting for events, meetings and productions. Car electronics installers install car stereos, cameras, remote starters and other vehicle electronics.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Audio and Video Technician | Car Electronics Installer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $58,100 ($27.93/hr) | $48,420 ($23.28/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $37,990 – $100,650 | $35,590 – $70,170 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.9% (about as fast as average) | -14.5% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 6,600 | 400 |
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 3–12 months | A few months on the job |
| Key credential | AVIXA CTS | MECP |
| Work setting | Technicians work in event venues, offices, schools, churches and studios, often lifting equipment and working long days.. | Installers work in electronics shops, dealerships and fleet facilities.. |
What each job does
Audio and Video Technician
- Set up audio, video and lighting equipment
- Run sound and video during events
- Operate streaming and recording systems
- Troubleshoot technical problems
- Test and maintain equipment
Car Electronics Installer
- Install audio systems
- Install cameras and remote starters
- Wire into vehicle systems
- Fabricate custom mounts
- Troubleshoot electronics
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work and indoor work. They sit in different fields, arts, media & design and mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing, but share transferable skills such as calm under pressure and patience.
Which should you choose?
Choose audio and video technician if…
- I like technology and events
- I stay calm when things break
- I can lift equipment
Choose car electronics installer if…
- I love car audio
- I’m careful with wiring
- I like custom builds
Still torn? Take the Audio and Video Technician fit quiz and the Car Electronics Installer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, audio and video technician or car electronics installer?
Audio and Video Technicians earn more at the median: $58,100 versus $48,420 for car electronics installers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Car Electronics Installers typically train faster (A few months on the job) than audio and video technicians (3–12 months).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects audio and video technicians to grow +3.9% from 2025–35, compared with -14.5% for car electronics installers.