Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Overview

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians has a national median salary of $78,190 per year, with +2.4% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists an associate's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

Description

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.

Work Values

• Support
• Working Conditions
• Independence

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Install or maintain electrical control systems, industrial automation systems, or electrical equipment, including control circuits, variable speed drives, or programmable logic controllers.
• 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.
• Specify, coordinate, or conduct quality control or quality assurance programs or procedures.
• Assemble, test, or maintain circuitry or electronic components, according to engineering instructions, technical manuals, or knowledge of electronics, using hand or power tools.

Work Activities

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Getting Information
• Working with Computers
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Thinking Creatively

Detailed Work Activities

• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists an associate's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished a bachelor's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Bachelor's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for an associate's degree.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians:

Video Resources