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Salary comparison

Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers vs. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics: Who Earns More?

Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installerss out-earn Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss by $9K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installerss land at $60,070 and Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss at $50,620. The education gap is real: security and fire alarm systems installer programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while automotive service technicians and mechanic programs require postsecondary nondegree award. Top-paying state for Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installerss is Alaska ($79,870); for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss it's District of Columbia ($68,660).

Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Median salary
$60,070
$50,620
Hourly rate
$28.88/hr
$24.34/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$38,800
$34,660
Senior level (90th %)
$81,150
$81,790
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
Postsecondary nondegree award
U.S. employment
86,340
704,640
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
4%
Category
Repair & Maintenance
Repair & Maintenance
Top-paying state
Alaska
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers median pay.

State
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Alaska
$79,870
$60,840
Massachusetts
$78,530
$60,760
Oregon
$75,710
$58,520
Connecticut
$75,410
$60,220
Washington
$72,950
$57,270
California
$71,570
$64,980
Maryland
$65,330
$57,520
Minnesota
$62,440
$58,390
Colorado
$62,250
$61,280
New Hampshire
$61,530
$59,020
Virginia
$60,790
$59,330
Delaware
$59,680
$58,410
Montana
$58,800
$58,740
District of Columbia
$58,460
$68,660
North Dakota
$57,620
$57,360

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installerss or Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss?

Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installerss earn more nationally. The median is $60,070 for Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installerss versus $50,620 for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss, a difference of $9K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers or Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers or Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?

Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics requires postsecondary nondegree award. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installerss get paid the most?

Alaska is the top-paying state for Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installerss at $79,870/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers vs. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Alaska, Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installerss earn $79,870 vs. $60,840 for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers salary breakdownView →Full Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salary breakdownView →Best cities for Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installerss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss by take-home payExplore →How to become a security and fire alarm systems installersGuide →How to become a automotive service technicians and mechanicsGuide →