Electrical and electronics engineering technicians held about 130,500 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of electrical and electronics engineering technicians were as follows:
| Engineering services | 13% | |
| Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing | 12 | |
| Federal government | 10 | |
|
6 | |
| Merchant wholesalers, durable goods | 5 |
Electrical and electronics engineering technicians work closely with electrical and electronics engineers. For this reason, teamwork is an important part of the job. They work in offices, laboratories, and factories because their job tasks involve both engineering theory and assembly-line production.
Electrical and electronics engineering technicians may be exposed to hazards from equipment or toxic materials, but incidents are rare if proper procedures are followed.
Work Schedules
Electrical and electronics engineering technicians may work in day or night shifts, depending on production schedules. In the federal government, their schedules tend to follow a standard workweek.
Electrical and electronics engineering technicians typically need an associate’s degree.
Education
Programs for electrical and electronics engineering technicians usually lead to an associate’s degree in electrical or electronics engineering technology. Vocational–technical schools include postsecondary institutions that serve local students and emphasize training needed by local employers.
Community colleges offer programs similar to those in technical institutes but include more theory-based and liberal arts coursework. Some of these colleges allow students to concentrate in computer electronics, industrial electronics, or communications electronics.
Prospective electrical and electronics engineering technicians usually take courses in programming languages, chemistry, physics, logical processors, and circuitry. Coursework in test equipment is also helpful. The Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET accredits programs that include at least college algebra, trigonometry, and basic science courses.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Technicians may choose to earn certification to show an advanced level of knowledge. Several organizations offer certification.
The National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) offers certification in electrical power testing. This certification would benefit those technicians working in the electric power generation, transmission, and distribution industry.
ETA International also offers certifications in several fields, including basic electronics, biomedical electronics, and renewable energy.
The International Society of Automation offers certification as a Control Systems Technician. To gain such certification, technicians must demonstrate skills in pneumatic, mechanical, and electronic instrumentation. In addition, they must demonstrate an understanding of process control loops and process control systems.
Electrical and electronics engineering technicians typically have an interest in the Building Thinking interest areas, according to the Holland Code framework. The Building interest area indicates a focus on working with tools and machines, and making or fixing practical things. The Thinking interest area indicates a focus on researching, investigating, and increasing the understanding of natural laws.
If you are not sure whether you have a Building or Thinking interest which might fit with a career as a electrical and electronics engineering technician, you can take a career test to measure your interests.
Electrical and electronics engineering technicians should also possess the following specific qualities:
Logical-thinking skills. Electrical and electronics engineering technicians must isolate and then identify problems for the engineering staff to work on. They need good reasoning skills to identify and fix problems. Technicians must also be able to follow a logical sequence or specific set of rules to carry out engineers’ designs, inspect designs for quality control, and put together prototypes.
Math skills. Electrical and electronics engineering technicians use math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work.
Mechanical skills. Electronics engineering technicians in particular must be able to use handtools and soldering irons on small circuitry and electronic parts to create detailed electronic components by hand.
Observational skills. Electrical engineering technicians sometimes visit a construction site to make sure that electrical engineers’ designs are being carried out correctly. They are responsible for evaluating the project onsite and reporting problems to the engineer.
Problem-solving skills. Electrical and electronics engineering technicians create what engineers have designed and often test the designs to make sure that they work. Technicians help to resolve any problems that come up in carrying out the engineers’ designs.
Writing skills. These technicians must write reports on onsite construction, the results of testing, or problems they find when carrying out designs. Their writing must be clear and well organized so that the engineers they work with can understand the reports.
The median annual wage for electrical and electronics engineering technicians was $65,260 in May 2019. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $39,190, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $96,690.
In May 2019, the median annual wages for electrical and electronics engineering technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Federal government | $70,510 |
| Merchant wholesalers, durable goods | 64,010 |
| Engineering services | 62,480 |
| Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing | 60,710 |
| Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing | 60,080 |
Electrical and electronics engineering technicians may work in day or night shifts, depending on production schedules. In the federal government, their schedules tend to follow a standard workweek.
Employment of electrical and electronics engineering technicians is projected to show little or no change from 2018 to 2028.
Many of these technicians work in traditional manufacturing industries, and employment of these technicians is projected to decline in most manufacturing industries. Employment of these technicians in the federal government is projected to decline as well. However, employment of electrical and electronics engineering technicians will likely grow in engineering services firms as companies seek to contract out these services as a way to lower costs.
Electrical and electronics engineering technicians also work closely with electrical and electronics engineers and computer hardware engineers in the computer systems design services industry. Demand for these technicians is expected to be sustained by the continuing integration of computer and electronics systems, especially automation systems. In addition, computer, cellular phone, and Global Positioning System (GPS) technologies are being included in automobiles and various portable and household electronics systems.
Job Prospects
Prospective electrical and electronics engineering technicians may face competition for jobs. Candidates with a certification will likely have the best job opportunities.
For more information about general engineering education and career resources, visit
American Society for Engineering Education
Technology Student Association
For more information about accredited programs, visit
For more information about certification, visit
International Society of Automation
International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians
National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET)
For information about working in automation, visit