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Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipLower pressure

What they do

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.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $78,190 Median per year · $37.59/hr Most earn $49,510–$115,700

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Review existing electrical engineering criteria to identify necessary revisions, deletions, or amendments to outdated material.
  • Produce electronics drawings or other graphics representing industrial control, instrumentation, sensors, or analog or digital telecommunications networks, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
  • Compile and maintain records documenting engineering schematics, installed equipment, installation or operational problems, resources used, repairs, or corrective action performed.
  • Assemble, test, or maintain circuitry or electronic components, according to engineering instructions, technical manuals, or knowledge of electronics, using hand or power tools.
  • Install or maintain electrical control systems, industrial automation systems, or electrical equipment, including control circuits, variable speed drives, or programmable logic controllers.
  • Design or modify engineering schematics for electrical transmission and distribution systems or for electrical installation in residential, commercial, or industrial buildings, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.

Job outlook

United States
2% more jobs by 2035, slower than average · about 8,100 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Engineering services10.8%
  • Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing10.0%
  • Federal government, excluding postal service8.1%
  • Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing8.1%
  • Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences4.6%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipExperience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Most people enter this field after a certificate or apprenticeship in electrical or electronics, then gain roughly 2 to 4 years of hands-on work before taking on this role. It is not usually an entry-level job straight out of school, but the training route is shorter than a four-year degree.

  1. Electrical or electronics certificate or apprenticeship

    1-2 years

    You learn circuits, wiring, electronic components, and how to read schematics, often with hands-on lab or shop time. This basic training is what employers look for before hiring you into a repair or technical role.

  2. Electrical and Electronics Repairer, Commercial and Industrial Equipment

    1-2 years

    You troubleshoot and fix real equipment, which builds the practical skills to test, adjust, and modify circuits. This experience prepares you for the more design-focused technician work.

  3. Electrical Engineering Technician

    Ongoing career

    You apply electrical and electronic theory to build, test, and modify components and controls so engineers can use your results in their design decisions.

Where it can lead

  1. Lead Electrical Technician

    3-5 years of experience first

    You take on more responsibility for planning test work, guiding other technicians, and checking the quality of their results. Strong problem-solving and clear communication with engineers help you move up.

  2. Electronics Engineer

    4-6 years of experience first

    This role usually requires a bachelor's degree, so you would go back to school, often while working, and then take on full design responsibility. Your hands-on technician experience is a strong foundation for the degree.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take physics, algebra, and any electronics or robotics classesThese courses build the math and circuit basics you will use in every technician program.
  • Join a robotics or electronics clubBuilding and wiring projects with a team gives you real hands-on practice and something to show future employers or schools.
  • Enter a science or engineering competitionCompetitions teach you to design, test, and fix a device under deadlines, which mirrors the work technicians do.
  • Find a starter job or volunteer for basic repairsHelping with computer, appliance, or small electronics repair teaches troubleshooting and tool safety.
  • Talk with a local electrician or technicianA short conversation or job shadow shows you what the daily work looks like and whether it fits you.

In college

  • Enroll in an electrical or electronics technology certificate or associate programThis is the standard training route for this career and teaches circuits, components, and test equipment.
  • Take math and physics courses, including circuit analysis if offeredStrong math and physics make the theory behind electrical design much easier to apply on the job.
  • Apply for summer internships or co-op placementsReal work experience at an engineering firm or manufacturer helps you build skills and make professional contacts.
  • Get a campus or part-time job in a lab or maintenance shopWorking with equipment under supervision builds practical troubleshooting skills and shows employers you can handle hands-on work.
  • Join a student engineering or technology clubClubs offer project experience, teamwork, and connections with people already working in the field.

Tips for getting started

  • Take math and science seriously, especially algebra, trigonometry, and physics, since they show up in almost every electrical technician program.
  • Look for hands-on experience early, such as part-time or summer work in a repair shop, electronics store, or manufacturing plant, because employers value practical skills.
  • Ask about apprenticeship options in your area, since many of them pay you to learn while you train.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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