Career comparison
Manufactured Home Installer vs. RV Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
RV technicians earn more at the median ($52,000 vs. $45,990), while manufactured home installers usually get to work faster (A few weeks to months of training). Manufactured home installers set up and connect manufactured and modular homes on site. RV technicians repair the systems in motorhomes, campers and travel trailers.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Manufactured Home Installer | RV Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $45,990 ($22.11/hr) | $52,000 ($25.00/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $27,120 – $60,810 | $36,120 – $77,960 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +5.8% (faster than average) | +9.7% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 300 | 2,200 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | A few weeks to months | 1–2 years of training |
| Key credential | State installer license | RVTI Level 1–4 |
| Work setting | Installers work outdoors at home sites and parks.. | Technicians work in shops, on lots and at campsites for mobile service.. |
What each job does
Manufactured Home Installer
- Set homes
- Level homes
- Install anchors
- Join sections
- Connect utilities
RV Technician
- Diagnose electrical systems
- Repair propane appliances
- Fix plumbing and water systems
- Repair slide-outs and leveling
- Seal and repair roofs
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work and in-demand. They sit in different fields, skilled trades & construction and mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing, but share transferable skills such as teamwork and problem-solving.
Which should you choose?
Choose manufactured home installer if…
- I like varied hands-on work
- I don’t mind crawl spaces
- I like teamwork
Choose RV technician if…
- I like many kinds of repairs
- I like RVs and camping
- I don’t mind heights
Still torn? Take the Manufactured Home Installer fit quiz and the RV Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, manufactured home installer or RV technician?
RV Technicians earn more at the median: $52,000 versus $45,990 for manufactured home installers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Manufactured Home Installers typically train faster (A few weeks to months) than RV technicians (1–2 years of training).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects RV technicians to grow +9.7% from 2025–35, compared with +5.8% for manufactured home installers.