Career profile · 17-3023
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
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.
What the work can involve
- 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.
- Compile and maintain records documenting engineering schematics, installed equipment, installation or operational problems, resources used, repairs, or corrective action performed.
Selected core tasks from O*NET 31.0. Responsibilities vary by employer, specialization and experience.
Preparation and entry routes
This broad O*NET group commonly involves vocational training, related experience or an associate-level route. It does not mean every course in a related subject meets the requirements.
Check the route for the specific occupation where you plan to work. Education, employer experience requirements, occupational licensing and industry certification can be separate steps.
Understand the different credentials →Skills used in this occupation
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Monitoring
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Knowledge to build
- Engineering and Technology
- Computers and Electronics
- Design
- English Language
- Mechanical
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Common work activities
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Getting Information
- Working with Computers
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Training subjects to investigate
The federal education-to-occupation crosswalk connects this role to the subjects below. These links do not endorse a school or guarantee that any particular award qualifies a graduate for the job.
- Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician385 institutions →
- Telecommunications Technology/Technician47 institutions →
- Integrated Circuit Design Technology/Technician3 institutions →
- Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other69 institutions →
- Automation Engineer Technology/Technician113 institutions →
- Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology/Technician9 institutions →
- Computer Engineering Technology/Technician79 institutions →
- Computer/Computer Systems Technology/Technician95 institutions →
Working conditions to consider
These are the most common published responses to selected O*NET work-setting questions. They describe occupation-level survey findings, not every employer or a particular job.
| Work-setting question | Most common response | Share giving that response |
|---|---|---|
| Contact With Others | Contact with others most of the time | 43.0%08/2026 · sample 25 |
| Exposed to Disease or Infections | Never | 95.4%08/2026 · sample 24 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | Once a year or more but not every month | 29.3%08/2026 · sample 24 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | More than half the time | 36.1%08/2026 · sample 25 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | Once a year or more but not every month | 32.4%08/2026 · sample 25 |
| Work Schedules | Regular (established routine, set schedule) | 85.5%08/2026 · sample 25 |
O*NET 31.0 Work Context, selected topics. Only unsuppressed source responses with sample size at least 10 are shown. A most-common response need not be a majority. Sampling uncertainty applies; source dates vary. Ask employers about actual schedules, accessibility, protective equipment and working conditions.
Software used in the workplace
Use these O*NET examples to ask how a course builds practical digital skills. They are workplace examples, not a required shopping list or confirmation of a school’s curriculum.
- Analytical or scientific software: Altera MAX, Altera Quartus II, Anadigm Designer2 EDA, Ansoft HFSS
- Business intelligence and data analysis software: IBM Cognos Impromptu
- Cloud-based management software: IBM WebSphere
- Computer aided design CAD software: Agilent Advanced Design System ADS, Altium Designer, Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit
- Data base user interface and query software: Database software, FileMaker Pro, Microsoft Access, Oracle Database
- Development environment software: Adobe ActionScript, Analog Devices VisualDSP++, C, Canu
- Document management software: Adobe Acrobat, FlukeView Forms
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software: Oracle Hyperion, Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne, Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management, SAP software
- Graphics or photo imaging software: Graphics software
- Industrial control software: AVEVA InTouch HMI, Human machine interface HMI software, Programmable logic controller PLC software, Rockwell RSView
- Internet browser software: Microsoft Internet Explorer
Selected categories and examples from O*NET 31.0 Software Skills. Products and employer requirements change. These examples are not endorsements; check the complete official occupation profile.
Pay & employment outlook
Salary estimates for electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians
The median divides workers into two equally sized groups by pay. It is not a starting salary, a school’s graduate outcome or a promise of employment. Lower percentiles are not automatically new graduates.
National outlook: 2025–2035
- Typical education for entry
- Associate's degree
- Related work experience
- None
- Typical on-the-job training
- None
BLS national employment projections, 2025–2035. Openings include people leaving occupations or the labor force; these are not advertised vacancies. Education categories describe typical entry, not legal eligibility or a guarantee that any specific program is sufficient.
Compare wages across 51 state/DC estimates
| State | Annual median | Hourly median | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $74,500 | $35.82 | 1,620 |
| Alaska | $92,760 | $44.60 | 230 |
| Arizona | $77,960 | $37.48 | 2,260 |
| Arkansas | $69,960 | $33.63 | 310 |
| California | $86,090 | $41.39 | 13,450 |
| Colorado | $77,440 | $37.23 | 1,410 |
| Connecticut | $81,390 | $39.13 | 1,190 |
| Delaware | $67,360 | $32.39 | 130 |
| District of Columbia | $97,620 | $46.93 | 240 |
| Florida | $73,190 | $35.19 | 4,710 |
| Georgia | $78,070 | $37.54 | 1,630 |
| Hawaii | $96,200 | $46.25 | 460 |
| Idaho | $77,170 | $37.10 | 650 |
| Illinois | $85,510 | $41.11 | 1,980 |
| Indiana | $70,540 | $33.91 | 1,800 |
| Iowa | $74,840 | $35.98 | 880 |
| Kansas | $70,310 | $33.80 | 770 |
| Kentucky | $64,120 | $30.83 | 1,060 |
| Louisiana | $82,990 | $39.90 | 1,000 |
| Maine | $83,440 | $40.11 | 270 |
| Maryland | $95,830 | $46.07 | 2,170 |
| Massachusetts | $77,710 | $37.36 | 4,030 |
| Michigan | $74,800 | $35.96 | 2,350 |
| Minnesota | $78,280 | $37.64 | 1,540 |
| Mississippi | $81,180 | $39.03 | 650 |
| Missouri | $72,120 | $34.67 | 1,390 |
| Montana | $82,050 | $39.45 | 140 |
| Nebraska | $65,490 | $31.48 | 710 |
| Nevada | $88,160 | $42.38 | 1,140 |
| New Hampshire | $74,560 | $35.84 | 590 |
| New Jersey | $85,510 | $41.11 | 2,250 |
| New Mexico | $96,070 | $46.19 | 1,000 |
| New York | $77,040 | $37.04 | 4,390 |
| North Carolina | $76,040 | $36.56 | 2,490 |
| North Dakota | $80,930 | $38.91 | 120 |
| Ohio | $63,300 | $30.44 | 3,260 |
| Oklahoma | $80,880 | $38.88 | 1,170 |
| Oregon | $77,990 | $37.50 | 1,920 |
| Pennsylvania | $76,070 | $36.57 | 3,470 |
| Rhode Island | $98,600 | $47.40 | 290 |
| South Carolina | $73,450 | $35.31 | 2,060 |
| South Dakota | $58,340 | $28.05 | 200 |
| Tennessee | $63,750 | $30.65 | 1,820 |
| Texas | $74,050 | $35.60 | 8,960 |
| Utah | $72,670 | $34.94 | 1,420 |
| Vermont | $74,760 | $35.94 | 300 |
| Virginia | $79,540 | $38.24 | 4,670 |
| Washington | $93,930 | $45.16 | 2,540 |
| West Virginia | $85,440 | $41.08 | 300 |
| Wisconsin | $71,880 | $34.56 | 1,520 |
| Wyoming | $99,840 | $48.00 | 200 |
Metropolitan and nonmetropolitan wages
Search the 332 published local-area estimates for this occupation. Metropolitan areas can cross state lines; a city’s postal name is not necessarily the statistical area’s name.
Sources: BLS May 2025 OEWS public downloads and 2025–2035 employment projections, retrieved September 9, 2026. Unpublished estimates stay unavailable. “+” means BLS’s upper reporting threshold ($239,200 annually or $115 hourly). Wages exclude self-employment and nonwage benefits. How to interpret these figures.
Compare the route and prepare for work
Questions to test the fit
- What does an entry-level working day look like, and how does it differ from the experienced role described here?
- Which tasks, work environments and schedules would I enjoy or find difficult?
- What education, supervised practice and credentials do local employers actually request?
- Can I speak with someone in the occupation or arrange a suitable workplace visit?
- How does the complete training cost compare with my realistic budget and available routes?
Related occupations to compare
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians→
- Calibration Technologists and Technicians→
- Electrical and Electronics Drafters→
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay→
- Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians→
- Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other→
- Non-Destructive Testing Specialists→
- Photonics Technicians→
Related through shared training-subject mappings. Entry requirements can differ substantially.
Sources and attribution
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. Trade School Guides selects and organizes the material and adds explanatory guidance. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. Occupation code: 17-3023.00.
Training connections: CIP 2020–SOC 2018 crosswalk. Snapshot: September 8, 2026. See the methodology.