Most home theater jobs are related to design or installation in some way, whether for big box stores or small businesses. Jobs involving the installation of home theater equipment can also include some design or layout work, and service technicians can repair these systems in a variety of ways. Interior decorators can also specialize in home theaters, and they may be hired to create aesthetically pleasing and acoustically tuned spaces. Other home theater jobs, ranging from electronic engineers who develop new equipment to bloggers who inform the public about different products and design concepts, are all linked to the industry in some way.
Installation work is one of the most common types of home theater jobs. Installation teams can set up anything from a single digital video disc (DVD) player to an entire home theater in a box at most big electronic stores. Typically, these installers do not make any changes to a room, but depending on the job, they may need to run cables through walls, under carpet, or behind molding. Some high-end equipment companies hire installers who can make more significant changes or even build a home theater room from the ground up.
Some interior decorators work on entire homes or businesses, while others specialize in home theater projects. Interior decorators range in skill level, from those who are only qualified to make aesthetic decisions to those who can design a complete home theater room with perfect acoustics and viewing angles. These home theater interior decorators may collaborate closely with installers to design and implement a project in some cases.
Equipment repair and maintenance is another similar category of home theater jobs. Although independent repair companies exist, big box stores frequently employ service technicians who specialize in home theater equipment. Some of these repair technicians work out of a shop, while others make house calls to fix equipment or wiring that is too big or complicated to move.
Other home theater-related jobs have nothing to do with the setup, design, or maintenance of these systems. Electronic engineers work for all of the major electronics companies and are in charge of designing new home theater equipment. Engineers work on everything from the conceptual phase to design work and even testing in these jobs. Writers who provide magazine articles or blogs with reviews and useful advice for consumers and enthusiasts hold other home theater jobs. In order to provide their opinions, home theater writers frequently test out new equipment and installations.