Home Entertainment Equipment Repairer
A Home Entertainment Equipment Repairer specializes in diagnosing and fixing issues with various home entertainment systems, including televisions, audio systems, and surround-sound setups. These professionals may work independently or in retail settings, performing repairs either at their workplace or on-site at customers' homes and businesses. Their typical responsibilities involve disassembling equipment, cleaning components, and replacing malfunctioning parts, often using specialized diagnostic tools to identify problems.
The career tends to attract individuals with a keen interest in electronics and problem-solving, and many repairers have backgrounds as technology hobbyists. While the demand for this occupation is expected to decline due to consumer trends favoring the purchase of new items over repairs, skilled technicians can still find opportunities through on-the-job training and by pursuing formal education in electronics repair. High school coursework in relevant subjects, as well as vocational programs, can provide a solid foundation for aspiring repairers. Effective communication skills are also essential, as repairers frequently interact with customers to explain technical issues in an understandable manner.
Home Entertainment Equipment Repairer
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Manufacturing
Interests: Mechanics, electronics, solving problems, helping others
Earnings (Yearly Median): $52,216
Employment & Outlook: Little or No Growth Expected
Overview
Sphere of Work. Home entertainment equipment repairers disassemble, clean, troubleshoot, and repair malfunctioning home entertainment systems. These repairers often specialize in one or more areas of home entertainment media, such as televisions and monitors or audio and surround-sound systems. Home entertainment equipment repairers often work independently of cable and Internet technicians. They may, however, double as home entertainment equipment installation professionals for both independent shops and national electronics retailers. Home entertainment repairers are often on call to complete repairs in residences, businesses, and repair shops.
Work Environment. Many home entertainment equipment repairers spend a lot of time traveling, tending to repairs from work vans, and visiting several clients each day. More complex repairs may require service by technicians at repair shops, which are outfitted with equipment that is not portable. Home entertainment equipment repairers work primarily indoors, though some outdoor projects may occasionally be required.
Occupation Interest. Home entertainment equipment repairers come from a variety of backgrounds, interests, and occupations. They are almost exclusively technologically savvy people who enjoy working with electronics and computers. Many have extensive backgrounds as technology hobbyists. The field of home entertainment equipment repair traditionally attracts problem solvers who derive a sense of purpose and satisfaction from helping less knowledgeable people navigate complex and emerging home entertainment technology.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Customers will usually bring small, portable electronic equipment into retail locations for repair. Repairers who work in these settings are called bench technicians. They have a complete selection of tools, diagnostic machines, and parts to work with. When equipment is too large to transport to a retail site, customers will request a home or office visit by a field technician. Field technicians carry a limited number of tools and parts and work in the customer’s home or business to clean parts and make repairs. If the repair is too involved to handle on-site, the technician will bring defective or malfunctioning parts to the retail location for diagnosis and repair or replacement.
At retail locations, bench technicians may begin their day by reviewing the complexity of and time requirements for each specific repair. They may also communicate with management, staff, and outside vendors in order to obtain parts for specific fixes. Home entertainment equipment repairers who are employed by television and electronics stores may have duties related to the maintenance and upkeep of the retail environment. They also answer customer questions that are related to service, repair, or equipment maintenance.
Field technicians begin each day at a central service center and are given a list of repair locations. They are responsible for preparing for each repair job by packing the necessary equipment and tools and ensuring they arrive at customer locations at the scheduled time.
Both field and bench technicians spend time cleaning and lubricating parts. Repairers also test equipment to help diagnose problems and replace broken or failed parts.
Production Repairers. Production Repairers repair rejected electronic equipment according to specifications with hand tools.
Audio and Video Equipment Technicians (27-4011.00). Audio-Video Repairers install and repair audio-video equipment with hand tools and testing equipment.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Home entertainment equipment repairers work primarily in repair-shop settings. Many repairers are also required to spend time in customer’s homes and in business settings to complete necessary repairs or replacement of defective equipment. Work is almost exclusively conducted indoors.
Human Environment. Professionals in the equipment repair field frequently interact with both customers and vendors. Although repair work is primarily conducted in a solitary environment, equipment repairers will often meet with customers to explain the repairs in nontechnical terms.
Technological Environment. Home entertainment equipment repairers use a wide range of technologies, including complex hardware and software systems and highly calibrated diagnostic tools and machinery. These tools include instruments to measure voltage and current and to detect short circuits and blown fuses. Repairers also use hand tools to replace defective parts. Technology continues to advance in home entertainment; so, home entertainment equipment repairers must constantly update their skill sets.
The demand for home entertainment equipment repairers is expected to decline by about six to seven percent by the end of the 2020s. Experts attribute this to consumers' tendency to replace broken appliances with newer, updated models rather than replace them. The experts note, however, that this tendency is economy-dependent, with consumers opting for new products when the economy is good and choosing repair over replacement in tougher economic times.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students can best prepare for a career as a home entertainment equipment repairer with courses in algebra, calculus, physics, robotics, and computer science. English and writing courses aid in the development of the communication and problem-solving skills that are vital for success in the field.
Many high school students can gain exposure to electronics and media devices by participating in science fairs and science clubs. Summer jobs and internships at relevant organizations can also provide a sound foundation of knowledge.
Postsecondary. There are numerous postsecondary vocational, technical, and associate’s degree programs in electronics repair. Postsecondary education is not always a requirement for those entering the field, given the large amount of on-the-job training. However, the competency and knowledge demonstrated by an advanced education in electronics can be of tremendous benefit to job applicants.
Basic postsecondary education related to electronics repair includes classes in circuitry, processors, computer chips, computer software, applications, and programming. Courses also instruct future electronics repair professionals on the technical intricacies of television transmission, broadcasting, and other facets of telecommunications systems. Students of electronics repair learn how to read and interpret circuitry diagrams, machine specifications, service manuals, and other documentation related to the engineering, production, and maintenance of home entertainment equipment.
Related Occupations
− Electronic Engineering Technician
− Electronic Equipment Repairer
Bibliography
"Electronic & Computer Repair Services in the US - Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2024-2029)." IBIS World, March 2024, www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/electronic-computer-repair-services-industry/#IndustryStatisticsAndTrends. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
"Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers & Repairers." Data USA, datausa.io/profile/soc/electronic-home-entertainment-equipment-installers-repairers. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
"Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022: 49-2097 Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers." Occupational Employment Statistics. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 25 Apr. 2023, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes492097.htm. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.