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Security System Installation/Repair
Types of Degrees Security System Installation/Repair Majors Are Earning
Those studying Security System Installation/Repair have the option of earning degrees at several award levels.
| Award Level | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Certificate | 4 |
| Master’s Degree | 38 |
What Security System Installation/Repair Majors Need to Know
Programs in Security System Installation/Repair build a specific mix of knowledge, skills, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in occupations that Security System Installation/Repair graduates commonly enter.
Knowledge Areas
Coursework in Security System Installation/Repair emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
- Public Safety and Security — Importance 4.1 / 5; level 4.2 / 7.
- Computers and Electronics — Importance 3.7 / 5; level 4.2 / 7.
- Customer and Personal Service — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 4.7 / 7.
- Telecommunications — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 4.5 / 7.
- Building and Construction — Importance 3.3 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.
Importance is rated 1–5; level is 1–7. Source: ONET Online — weighted across related occupations.*
Skills
The skill set developed in a Security System Installation/Repair program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
- Critical Thinking — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.
- Speaking — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3 / 7.
- Installation — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.
- Active Listening — Importance 3.2 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.
- Complex Problem Solving — Importance 3.1 / 5; level 3 / 7.
Abilities
Innate abilities most relevant to Security System Installation/Repair careers — again drawn from O*NET surveys of related occupations:
- Problem Sensitivity — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.2 / 7.
- Oral Comprehension — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
- Oral Expression — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.6 / 7.
- Near Vision — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.6 / 7.
- Arm-Hand Steadiness — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.
Common Job Activities
Day-to-day, Security System Installation/Repair graduates report doing:
| Activity | Frequency / Importance |
|---|---|
| Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment | 4.4 / 7 |
| Communicating with People Outside the Organization | 4.3 / 7 |
| Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge | 4.2 / 7 |
| Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events | 4.2 / 7 |
| Performing General Physical Activities | 4.1 / 7 |
| Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials | 4.1 / 7 |
| Making Decisions and Solving Problems | 4.1 / 7 |
| Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates | 4.1 / 7 |
| Working with Computers | 4.0 / 7 |
| Handling and Moving Objects | 4 / 7 |
Technology Skills Used on the Job
Most frequently-cited tools used by Security System Installation/Repair professionals:
| Tool / Software | Category | In-Demand |
|---|---|---|
| Word processing software | Word processing software | — |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation software | — |
| Microsoft Windows | Operating system software | — |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | ✓ |
| Exacq Technologies software | Video creation and editing software | — |
| Operating system software | Operating system software | — |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | — |
| Microsoft Hyperterminal | Platform interconnectivity software | — |
| Traceroute | Network monitoring software | — |
| Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software | ✓ |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | ✓ |
| Autodesk AutoCAD | Computer aided design CAD software | ✓ |
Source: ONET Online technology skills, weighted across related occupations.*
Sample Job Titles
Real job postings for Security System Installation/Repair graduates include:
- Security Installer
- Electronics Technician
- Home Security Installation Technician
- Fire Alarm Systems Tech (Fire Alarm Systems Technician)
- Security Alarm Installer
- Service Technician
- Security Engineer
- Burglar Alarm Mechanic
- Installation Technician
- Security System Installer
- Home Security Alarm Installer
- Install Technician
- Alarm Technician
- Protective Signal Repairer
- Fire Alarm Mechanic
Education Typically Required
Across the occupations open to Security System Installation/Repair graduates, the typical level of education actually held by current workers is distributed as:
| Education Level | Share of Workers |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate | 48.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 41.4% |
| Some college courses | 8.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.6% |
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Who Is Earning a Degree in Security System Installation/Repair?
Gender Distribution
Racial-Ethnic Diversity
At the national level, the racial-ethnic distribution of Security System Installation/Repair graduates is as follows:
| Race / Ethnicity | Graduates | Share |
|---|---|---|
| White | 15 | 35.7% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 19 | 45.2% |
| American Indian / Alaska Native | 7 | 16.7% |
| Two or More Races | 1 | 2.4% |
See minority definition below.
How Much Do Security System Installation/Repair Graduates Earn?
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of Security System Installation/Repair graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise steadily as graduates gain experience and move into mid-career roles.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $36,246 |
| 4 years | $37,373 |
| 5 years | $41,963 |
By year 5 out, median earnings rise to $41,963 — roughly 16% above the 1-year mark.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Is a Degree in Security System Installation/Repair Worth It?
Looking purely at the federal earnings tracker, Security System Installation/Repair graduates earn a median of $37,373 four years after completion — about 2% below the national median for workers with only a high school diploma (~$38,000). On earnings alone, this program does not show an income premium over the baseline; non-financial outcomes (career interests, certification requirements, advancement potential) are typically the stronger argument for fields in this range.
ROI estimate compares the program’s 4-yr median earnings against the 2023 BLS CPS median earnings for high-school-only workers. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard + BLS Current Population Survey.
Related Programs
You may also be interested in these closely related fields of study:
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References
The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students and international students. This number is then divided by the total number of students to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.
- College Factual
- National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)
- O*NET Online
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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