Professional car audio installing

[betweenmatt]

I know what you mean lol. I've just always had the hardest time figuring out what I want to do with my life. I figured I'd look into doing something I actually have a knack for, since I'm not good at much. I was told when I was younger that if I find a job that I like, I'll never have to work a day in my life.

Ill figure it out eventually xD

Thanks guys!

[jk13]

I was an installer/shop manager from 1991 to 2007. Now I run a non-audio accessory shop. I'd never tell anyone not to pursue what they want to do for a living, but now is a tough time for shops in general. It's leveled off a bit as they figure out how to be fluid and evolve to deal with how the internet is changing things but many didn't make it. The shop I used to work for is gone, and they were a great one for a long, long time. The days of mid level installers (hard workers, but not especially talented) making 50-70k are likely gone. Those guys can be successful in fleet (demo vehicle) work or remote starters, but not everyone is cut out for that. There are talented superstars making six figures, but the vast majority will struggle to hit that mark.

I don't regret the path I chose, there is no way I'd have the knowledge I gained from working on of thousands of different cars and dealing with thousands of different people without taking it. Videos and build logs are great tools, but a tool is only as good as the person using it. My shop was an awesome place to be with an incredible group of people. Loose, fun, joking around, freedom to experiment building stuff on down time, etc. It's all about the right place and the right atmosphere. I was pretty lucky.

If you have specific questions you can ask here or pm me. I'll try and remember to check back.

BTW, I do not feel I've ever had a "real job", but I am looking into one now for various reasons. One being retail hours and kids.

[firebirdude]

^^^ The mid-level installers making even 50k/yr are VERY few and far between. Maybe at SMD HQ and WCC and that's about it. LOL

As everyone has said, most every installer gets a bad rap, works friggin hard, long hours, it's rough on your body and we get paid isht. This time of year, I do remote starts all day erry day and I don't make no 50k/yr. Do what you want, but don't get into this field for the money or cush job. Unless you're the business owner, you'll NEVER make any substantial amount of cheddar in these trenches.

[hoit]

ive pondered at the thought of working at install shops years ago...just apprenticing (sweeping the floor, shit like that...) just to get my feet through the door...

its a fine line, in my opinion, doing something you love doesn't really feel like a job at all. but at the same time I agree, merging hobbies in to careers can have a negative impact. or it can

be the best thing you ever did...just depends...

this is a VERY expensive hobby, and I do NOT know the in and outs of this business...but what do I know...I get people out of jail for a living!

[jk13]

^^^ The mid-level installers making even 50k/yr are VERY few and far between.

Now? I don't doubt it.

We had seven guys and annual income was $40k for the lowest one. The other six were 50 to 70+. Like I said, the right shop makes all the difference. After I left the economy tanked and they were down to two guys before they closed a couple years later. Nowadays I would not expect to see those numbers as strong with the shops giving smaller and smaller percentages to the installer. Same with car techs at the dealership next door. Shop makes $100+ an hour, tech gets $20. It's stupid. But it's what they're having to do to survive with rising real estate and insurance costs. Certainly not an environment that encourages guys to get better like it used to be. Faster maybe, but not better.

There were a bunch of other shops in town paying in the $30k range. But the work they turned out certainly reflected it.

[ROLEXrifleman]

if you ever wanna see a good representation of how shop owners and employees work together watch unique whips.

Will and Remy DEFINE reality.

[n8ball2013]

As someone who installed professionally part time at a very very busy store (circuit city in Jacksonville nc) I can say that nothing tempered my car audio love like working on someone elses stuff. I've owned my truck since 2009. My install still isnt done. After getting beat up all day and spending hours crammed into uncomfortable positions and dealing with all the garbage that customers would put you through it just wasn't worth it. I learned an immense amount and alot of cool tricks but I have to say that I'd never want to do it full time and to support my family on.

[ROLEXrifleman]

you haven't lived until you've been on you back under someone's dash balled up in the drivers side footwell with a gas pedal up your ass laying in slush soaked carpeting cause its january wondering what the fuck that smell was only to realize whatever it is your laying in it all for $7.25 an hour

[kremer90]

^Accurate

[bluethunder]

As others have stated what you get out of It is not worth the time and effort put in. I worked as an installer at Best Buy while in High School and College. At that time it was enjoyable, but definitely not something I would want to do as a career unless i owned my own business... Good luck in whatever you do decide on though!