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Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers

Typical education: High school diplomaModerate pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

Assemble or modify electrical or electronic equipment, such as computers, test equipment telemetering systems, electric motors, and batteries.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

Moderate 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 $45,850 Median per year · $22.04/hr Most earn $35,350–$62,950

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Paint structures as specified, using paint sprayers.
  • Instruct customers in the installation, repair, or maintenance of products.
  • Distribute materials, supplies, or subassemblies to work areas.
  • Assemble electrical or electronic systems or support structures and install components, units, subassemblies, wiring, or assembly casings, using rivets, bolts, soldering or micro-welding equipment.
  • Pack finished assemblies for shipment, and transport them to storage areas, using hoists or handtrucks.
  • Confer with supervisors or engineers to plan or review work activities or to resolve production problems.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
5% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 25,900 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

The Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn't break this career out by industry.

Experience before this job: None

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: High school diplomaExperience before this job: NoneEntry-level

This is an entry-level job. Most people can start with a high school diploma and no prior work experience, so you could move into it right after graduating.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Build a solid base in math, science, and shop or technical classes, which employers look for when hiring assemblers.

  2. Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assembler

    Entry level, no prior experience usually needed

    You build and modify electrical or electronic parts such as circuit boards, computers, motors, and batteries, often with hand tools and test equipment. Learning the work on the job is the usual way in.

Where it can lead

  1. Electrical and Electronics Repairer

    1-2 years of experience first

    You move from building equipment to diagnosing and fixing commercial and industrial electrical systems, which usually requires a certificate or apprenticeship.

  2. Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technician

    2-4 years of experience first

    You help engineers design, test, and troubleshoot electronic systems, which usually calls for a certificate or technical training on top of your hands-on experience.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take math and physicsAlgebra, geometry, and physics help you understand circuits, measurements, and how electrical parts work.
  • Join a robotics, electronics, or STEM clubBuilding and wiring projects with a team gives you real hands-on practice and something to show employers.
  • Take a shop or technical education classLearning to use hand tools, soldering equipment, and reading diagrams prepares you for assembly work.
  • Look for a summer or part-time jobA starter job at a store, farm, or small factory teaches reliability, teamwork, and following safety rules.
  • Practice careful, precise workHobbies like model building, electronics kits, or small repairs help you develop the steady hands and focus this job needs.

In college

  • Take electronics or electrical technology coursesClasses in circuits, soldering, and electronic components give you knowledge that assembler and repair jobs both use.
  • Apply for internships or co-op roles at manufacturersWorking inside a factory or production line shows you the day-to-day work and builds experience for your resume.
  • Earn a basic certification if your school offers oneShort credentials in soldering, electronics assembly, or workplace safety show employers you are prepared from day one.
  • Get a campus job in a lab or maker spaceHelping with equipment, prototypes, or repairs builds hands-on skills and a reference you can use later.
  • Join a technical or engineering student organizationClubs connect you with peers, guest speakers, and sometimes employers who recruit from campus.

Tips for getting started

  • Take shop, electronics, or robotics classes if your school offers them. Hands-on skills with tools and wiring are what assembler employers look for.
  • Ask about part-time or summer work at local manufacturers, electronics shops, or appliance plants. Even a short job shows you can follow instructions and work carefully.
  • Practice patience and attention to detail. Small parts and careful steps matter a lot in this work, and they are skills you can build now.

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.

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