Employment of home entertainment equipment installers and repairers is expected to grow 14 percent from 2010 to 2020, as fast as the average for all occupations.
Consumer demand for sophisticated home entertainment products, such as high-definition televisions, surround-sound systems, and other high-end home theater equipment, will increase demand for workers to install and service these systems. Home entertainment systems continue to grow in popularity, and consumers’ desire for state-of-the-art sound and picture quality will further increase demand for workers.
The need for repairers, however, should be somewhat limited because technological advances have lowered prices and increased the durability of home entertainment equipment, including televisions and DVD players. When a malfunction occurs, consumers often find that replacing equipment is cheaper than repairing it, reducing the need for repairers.
Certified applicants with good customer-service skills and a background in electronics repair should have the best job opportunities. Noncertified applicants will likely face competition for jobs.
The majority of job openings will come from the need to replace workers who retire or leave the occupation. It is also likely that a majority of job openings will occur in electronics and appliance stores and repair shops, because these types of stores employ about one-third of all service technicians.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition