starting wages for installers?

[SethPhillips 5,000+ posts]

ive been certified for the last 4 years. ive been installing for over 5. my first job started out at 7.50 an hour, worked it up to 9.50 after 6 months.. then after that i have been threw about... 4 diffrent stores, a few mom and pop shops. and 2 corprate places. CC. BB. R.C. Willey. ( where i am now) i am now on comission. and am makeing about 10.00 an hour on a sloooooooow. day. i make about 1500.00 - 2,500.00 every 2 weeks plus a monthly bonus that can add up to 600 extra dollers.

plus full benifits

i love where im at now.. allso do side work up at hi fi for hourly.

 

[Lil Poot 5,000+ posts]

i live right down the street from a circuit city, so i'm thinking that would be a good place to start off.

now, would i be better off waiting until i get my mecp basic to go apply, like i'd start a little higher? where as if i went and got a job without it, i'd end up getting screwed for wages, even after i do get certified. i saw a thread where randy savage said he installs at cc, but hasn't gotten his mecp yet.

 

[xtremekustomz 10+ year member]

You worked at a horid shop. Work at a real one with reputable work. I'm just an assistant to an installer and help with medial crap and still pull $12/hour. The installers, straight commission, get $90/hour and a ton of benefits from our owner...

There are none around here. Not within the state that I know of. And they get commission off of that $90/hr. About what.....30% maybe? I know of one shop that pays out 75% on commission but they charge $60/hr. It really depends on the location. There are some places that you can make a ton of money, but you never know for sure what your paycheck will be because things pick up and slow down. Working off of commission isn't always a good thing. It is great when it is busy...but when it slows down it sucks. I can make alot more doing what I will be doing and not really have to do much manual labor. I'll still do it on the side along with detailing but it will just be a hobby. Gotta pay the bills //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[j3bus2k3 5,000+ posts]

There are none around here. Not within the state that I know of. And they get commission off of that $90/hr. About what.....30% maybe? I know of one shop that pays out 75% on commission but they charge $60/hr. It really depends on the location. There are some places that you can make a ton of money, but you never know for sure what your paycheck will be because things pick up and slow down. Working off of commission isn't always a good thing. It is great when it is busy...but when it slows down it sucks. I can make alot more doing what I will be doing and not really have to do much manual labor. I'll still do it on the side along with detailing but it will just be a hobby. Gotta pay the bills //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Oh I totally agree. It depends heavily on the shop, where your at, and your clientel. The shop is owned by the DuPont registry so its not like they get your typical installs. Usually high end cars, from people with deep pockets to pay that amount for whatever they want. Most of the time, its nothing huge, fancy or extravgant; just an oem piece with navi, ipod, wheels, etc...

The few big jobs they get...they bank big time.

 

[1badimport 10+ year member]

I've been at a Mom/Pop shop for a couple years now, and I'm at $10.90 HR plus install com. plus sales com. Not bad at all IMO. It pays for my bills & toys and it beats being unhappy everyday for more $$$.

My MECP and time @ Installer Institute has got me jack crap, but a peice of expensive paper hanging on my wall, and fact I can tell my customers I've got my MECP, who don't have a clue or care!!

 

[Skatin Houston 10+ year member]

I've been at a Mom/Pop shop for a couple years now, and I'm at $10.90 HR plus install com. plus sales com. Not bad at all IMO. It pays for my bills & toys and it beats being unhappy everyday for more $$$.
My MECP and time @ Installer Institute has got me jack crap, but a peice of expensive paper hanging on my wall, and fact I can tell my customers I've got my MECP, who don't have a clue or care!!

But wouldn't you need that to install in the first place? I am going to be going to Acoustic Edge here in Houston to get my MECP.....

 

[AVSTANG02]

wow... i just did a search of sabes' recent posts, wondering what type of garbage he's posting to rack up more posts in 6 months than i have in 2.5 years, and just wow.... every single one is hateful trolling. i thought it was just something he had against me. someone really needs to ban this ****ing douchebag. i couldnt find one post where he actually contributed something useful.

He proved that just having a girl in yer avatar doesn't make you straight.

I'd really like to do car audio.. I dont even care about the pay..

I was going to go to that school 3 years ago but my pops said no.. because the program was too short..

I'd be able to get him to put up the cash now tho...

I am good with my hands and have a lot of patience..

but because i had the cash I had everything in my car professionally installed so I dont have any experience..