Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair, adjust, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff in making engineering design decisions.
- Median pay
- $78,190
- Doing it now
- 96,900
- By 2035
- Up 2.4%
- Usually needs
- Associate's degree
a year
across the country
8,100 openings a year
to get in
What the work involves
- Modify, maintain, or repair electronics equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
- Replace defective components or parts, using hand tools and precision instruments.
- Set up and operate specialized or standard test equipment to diagnose, test, or analyze the performance of electronic components, assemblies, or systems.
- Read blueprints, wiring diagrams, schematic drawings, or engineering instructions for assembling electronics units, applying knowledge of electronic theory and components.
- Identify and resolve equipment malfunctions, working with manufacturers or field representatives as necessary to procure replacement parts.
- Assemble electrical systems or prototypes, using hand tools or measuring instruments.
- Review electrical engineering plans to ensure adherence to design specifications and compliance with applicable electrical codes and standards.
What to study
The fields of study the Department of Education links to this occupation, most widely taught first.
- Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/TechniciansSee 138 colleges that teach it
- Computer Engineering Technologies/TechniciansSee 75 colleges that teach it
- Engineering Technologies/Technicians, GeneralSee 74 colleges that teach it
- Industrial Production Technologies/TechniciansSee 126 colleges that teach it
Who it suits
O*NET scores every occupation on six interest dimensions. This one leans hardest on these three.
Hands-on and practical
Analytical and curious
Organised and precise
Careers like this one
- Non-Destructive Testing Specialists$78,350
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians$66,120
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians$82,890
- Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$64,950
- Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians$73,900
- Calibration Technologists and Technicians$67,820
Where this comes from: the description and the task list are O*NET, which the Department of Labor maintains. Pay, workforce size, outlook and the education normally needed are the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections programme, 2025 wages and 2025 to 2035 projections. Half of them earn more than $78,190 a year, which means half earn less, and what you would earn depends on where you work and how long you have been doing it. The fields of study come from the National Center for Education Statistics crosswalk.