Career
Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians
Build, test and repair electrical and electronic equipment.
Here's what you actually need to know.
The work
What people in this job do
- Review electrical engineering plans to ensure adherence to design specifications and compliance with applicable electrical codes and standards.
- Read blueprints, wiring diagrams, schematic drawings, or engineering instructions for assembling electronics units, applying knowledge of electronic theory and components.
- Assemble, test, or maintain circuitry or electronic components, according to engineering instructions, technical manuals, or knowledge of electronics, using hand or power tools.
- Maintain system logs or manuals to document testing or operation of equipment.
- Modify, maintain, or repair electronics equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
The outlook
How the forecast changed this year
The deeper question
What kind of person does this path ask you to become?
What this work centers on
O*NET interest profile, scored 1–7.
The work
Do you want most of your days spent on objects & tools, then ideas & analysis?
Responsibility
Are you willing to be the one responsible for this?
“Review electrical engineering plans to ensure adherence to design specifications and compliance with applicable electrical codes and standards.”
Development
What would you need to build over the next 5–10 years?
Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Troubleshooting, Repairing.
Trade-offs
What does it ask of you in exchange?
2 years of education after high school (associate's degree), for a median of $78,190 a year and 8,100 openings nationally each year.
Paths in
Degrees that lead here
- Engineering Technologies/Technicians, GeneralCIP 15.0000
- Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology/TechnicianCIP 15.0303
- Telecommunications Technology/TechnicianCIP 15.0305
- Integrated Circuit Design Technology/TechnicianCIP 15.0306
- Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians, OtherCIP 15.0399
- Automation Engineer Technology/TechnicianCIP 15.0406
Paths across
Careers that use similar skills
- Calibration Technologists and Technicians$67,820 · +4.8%
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer$130,220 · +3.7%
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians$74,510 · +1.3%
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment$74,090 · +0.3%
- Robotics Technicians
Ask anything about this career.
“Would this make sense if I don't want to sit at a desk all day?” Answers will come from the sources on this page, with citations. Coming soon.
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Sources
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
- BLS Employment Projections, 2024–34 (archived), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
- O*NET 31.0 Database (August 2026), National Center for O*NET Development / U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
- CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk, NCES and BLS. Retrieved 2026-10-01.