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Automobile Accessories Installer

Automobile accessories installers install items such as heaters, audio systems, security systems, lights, antennas, upholstery and truck box liners.

Also Known As

Alarm System Installer, Car Accessories Installer, 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 14, 2018

Automobile accessories installers may specialize in certain types of vehicles or certain types of accessories. 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 or other electronic systems
  • mirrors
  • truck running boards
  • spoilers
  • film for tinting windows
  • upholstery
  • back-up cameras
  • hands-free communication systems.

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 enclosures, panels and truck box liners
  • bolt, screw, clip, weld or solder parts together
  • assemble and fit accessories to vehicles
  • maintain their own equipment
  • keep their work area clean
  • read and understand vehicle diagrams
  • use computers and computer software
  • 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 14, 2018
  • 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 sometimes is noisy and dirty. There is some risk of injury involved in working with power tools. Automobile accessories installers need to be careful when working near exhaust gases.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Motor Vehicle Assemblers

2006 NOC: 9482.1

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
OBJECTIVE

Interest in operating automated assembly equipment, and in using hand and power tools and other aids such as overhead joists, to position and install parts and subassemblies such as engines, transmissions, door panels and instrument panels

METHODICAL

Interest in copying information to connect cables, tubes and wires to complete assemblies and installations; and in tending automated assembling equipment such as robotic and fixed automation equipment

innovative

Interest in fitting and adjusting parts such as doors, hoods and trunk lids

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

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

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 14, 2018

Automobile accessories installers need to possess:

  • good eyesight
  • manual dexterity
  • mechanical interest and aptitude
  • good communication skills
  • good organizational skills
  • an ability to visualize 3-dimensional objects
  • an ability to analyze problems
  • a willingness to keep up to date with technology.

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 25 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Dec 17, 2021 and Apr 15, 2024.

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: Connect cables, tubes and wires to complete assemblies and installations
Personal Suitability: Reliability
Personal Suitability: Organized
Tasks: Read electrical schematics, blueprints and other technical diagrams
Personal Suitability: Team player
Tasks: Clean and maintain work space
Tasks: Mark, record and report motor defects to be repaired
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 14, 2018
  • Minimum Education Varies

Automobile accessories installers are trained on the job. Employers generally prefer to hire people who already 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) training programs are definite assets.

Trainees may be expected to provide their own hand tools.

To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.

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 14, 2018
  • Certification Not Regulated

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

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 14, 2018

Automobile accessories installers are employed by automotive 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.

In the 9522: Motor vehicle assemblers, inspectors and testers occupational group, 82.7% of people work in:

Employment Outlook

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, the 9522: Motor vehicle assemblers, inspectors and testers occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 0 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
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 example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

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

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 14, 2018

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.

Motor vehicle assemblers, inspectors and testers

2016 NOC: 9522
Average Wage
$28.51
Per Hour
Average Salary
$61,822.00
Per Year
Average Hours
40.7
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 9522 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

C: Lower Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $16.94 $42.74 $24.89 $20.00
Overall $17.50 $47.01 $28.51 $24.60
Top $18.00 $51.28 $33.21 $30.00

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Manufacturing

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
63%
63%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
43%
43%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
5%
5%
Vacancy Rate
4%
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Trades, Industrial and Related Training
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 14, 2018

Mobile Electronics Certified Professional (MECP) website: www.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 14, 2018. 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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