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Automobile Accessories Installer

Automobile accessories installers install items such as seat heaters, replacement or upgraded audio system components, security systems, remote starter systems, remote keyless entry systems, replacement or upgraded lighting, antennas, upholstery, and truck box liners.

Also Known As

Alarm System Installer, Car Accessories Installer, Mobile Electronics Technician, Truck Accessories Installer

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 9482.1: Motor Vehicle Assemblers

2006 NOC-S

  • J212: Motor Vehicle Assemblers, Inspectors and Testers

2011 NOC

  • 9522: Motor vehicle assemblers, inspectors and testers

2016 NOC

  • 9522: Motor vehicle assemblers, inspectors and testers

2021 NOC

  • 94200: Motor vehicle assemblers, inspectors and testers

2023 OaSIS

  • 94200.01: Motor vehicle assemblers
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Automobile accessories installers may specialize in certain types of vehicles or certain types of accessories and upgrades. For example, they may work mostly on cars, trucks, vans, commercial vehicles, or motorhomes. Or they may specialize in installing after-market products such as:

  • Alarms
  • Remote starters
  • Audio systems
  • Mirrors
  • Truck running boards or box liners
  • Spoilers
  • Window tint film
  • Paint-protection film
  • Upholstery
  • Seat heaters
  • Back-up cameras
  • Hands-free calling or voice command systems
  • Tires

Duties and responsibilities vary. In general, automobile accessories installers:

  • Remove and re-install vehicle interior parts
  • Drill and tap holes to mount accessories
  • Custom build accessories such as speaker or subwoofer enclosures, panels, and truck box liners
  • Bolt, screw, clip, weld, or solder parts together
  • Assemble and fit accessories to vehicles
  • Maintain their own tools and equipment
  • Keep their work area clean and in order
  • Read and understand vehicle electrical or assembly diagrams
  • Use computers for access to vehicle diagnostic information
  • Use computers to program or “flash” software on after-market integration devices
  • Conduct diagnostic testing
  • Provide customer service
  • Attend car and trade shows, sales events, and car audio competitions

Installers may keep records. They compute charges for labour and materials.

Some installers specialize in areas such as electronic systems and upholstery.

Electronic systems installers diagnose and install electronic devices. They study circuit diagrams and test wiring and other parts to find out what needs to be replaced or repaired. They may work with parts such as:

  • Remote starters
  • Car audio systems
  • Alarm systems

Upholstery installers work with materials for upholstery and covers. They may measure, cut, and sew the materials. They also may adjust or replace seat springs.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Strength Required Lift up to 20 kg

Most automobile accessories installers work a 40-hour, 5-day week. They may need to work some evenings, weekends, or holidays. The work may be noisy and dirty. There is some risk of injury when working with power tools.

Automobile accessories installers need to be careful when working near exhaust gases, moving parts, hot surfaces, solvents and chemicals, and high-voltage or current electrical connections and cables. Use of approved safety equipment may be required for certain tasks. This could include safety or lineman’s gloves, respirators, and safety googles.

Work Personalities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

How This Occupation Compares to Your Work Personalities

Fit
Fit Guide
An occupation can be a great, good, fair, weak, or poor fit for you.
R
Realistic
This occupation
You
C
Conventional

This Occupation’s Work Personalities

Your Work Personalities

Quick Guide

Alis work personalities are based on Holland’s theory. It identifies 6 personality types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. People with similar personalities and interests will tend to pursue similar careers. They are likely to create work environments that are favourable to their type.

Most people will identify with 2 or 3 dominant personalities. If the occupation’s personalities match your more dominant types, this occupation is more likely to be satisfying and rewarding to you.

This Occupation’s Work Personalities lists the personalities most likely to be found in that occupation. They are listed in order of importance, with 1 as the most important.

Your Work Personalities shows where the occupation’s personalities rank within your test results. Rank 1 is your most dominant type and 6 is your least dominant.

Learn about work personalities

Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Motor vehicle assemblers
2023 OaSIS: 94200.01

How This Occupation Compares to Your Abilities

The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.

The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.

The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Abilities Sets

The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.

Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.

This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Numbers and Patterns

Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.

This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Physical Activity

Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Mind-Body Coordination

Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Senses

Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Quick Guide

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Occupations use different combinations and levels of these abilities. The Abilities Quiz helps you learn more about your ability levels and which occupations match your strengths.

If you have completed the Abilities Quiz, you can compare the occupation’s ability expectations to your own ability scores. Your scores may be lower than, a match to, or higher than the occupation’s expected abilities.

Learn about abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Automobile accessories installers need:

  • Good eyesight
  • Manual dexterity
  • Mechanical and technological interest and aptitude
  • Communication skills
  • Organizational skills
  • The ability to visualize objects in 3-dimensions
  • The ability to analyze problems
  • The willingness to keep up to date with technology
  • The ability to follow procedures and instructions

They should enjoy using power tools, operating equipment, and taking a methodical approach to their work. They also should enjoy fitting and adjusting parts.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Motor vehicle assemblers, inspectors and testers

2016 NOC: 9522

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 36 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Dec 17, 2021 and Jul 16, 2025.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Fit and adjust parts
Tasks: Position and install parts, subassemblies and accessories
Tasks: Bolt, screw, clip, weld, solder or otherwise fasten motor vehicle parts and components together
Tasks: Clean and maintain work space
Tasks: Read electrical schematics, blueprints and other technical diagrams
Attention to detail
Tasks: Connect cables, tubes and wires to complete assemblies and installations
Reliability
Organized
Tasks: Inspect auto parts for defects
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Minimum Education Varies

Automobile accessories installers are trained on the job. Employers generally prefer to hire people who have some related education or experience. For example, installers should know how to use table saws, routers, and other wood tools safely. They will need these skills to build wood truck box liners and toolboxes.

Electronic systems installers must be familiar with 12-volt electrical systems. High school math, physics, and electronics courses, and Mobile Electronics Certified Professional (MECP) certification training programs are definite assets.

Trainees may be expected to provide their own hand tools.

For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Certification Not regulated

There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Automobile accessories installers work for automotive and heavy truck dealerships, and specialty shops.

Experienced installers may advance to service manager or shop foreperson positions. Some start their own businesses. Others purchase existing businesses.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Motor vehicle assemblers, inspectors and testers
2016 NOC: 9522

82.7% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Motor vehicle assemblers, inspectors and testers
2021 NOC: 94200
Cool
Job Market
< 1500
Employed in AB

Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Motor vehicle assemblers, inspectors and testers
2016 NOC: 9522
2.2%
Annual Growth
(Below average)
13
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Wage & Salary
Updated Jun 05, 2025

Automobile accessories installers are part of the larger 2021 National Occupational Classification 94200: Motor vehicle assemblers, inspectors and testers

According to the 2023 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Motor vehicle assemblers, inspectors and testers occupational group earned on average from $24.48 to $36.74 an hour. The overall average was $31.31 an hour. For more information, see the Motor vehicle assemblers, inspectors and testers wage profile.

Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Trades, Industrial and Related Training
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Mobile Electronics Certified Professional Program (MECP) website: mecp.com

Motor Dealers' Association of Alberta website: mdaalberta.com

 

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2024. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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