Vocational Index

Career

Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians

Build, test and repair electrical and electronic equipment.

$78,190
Median pay
+2.4%
Job growth, 2025–35
8,100
Openings a year
Associate's degree
Typical education
2 years
Typical time after high school

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

2024–34 edition+0.6%2025–35 edition+2.4%
Projected 10-year growth in last year's and this year's BLS projections. 8,400 → 8,100 openings a year.

The deeper question

What kind of person does this path ask you to become?

What this work centers on

Objects & tools
6.3
Ideas & analysis
5.2
Information & systems
5.0
People & care
1.8
Creation & expression
1.8
Persuasion & leadership
1.3

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

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.

Not sure this fits who you are? Start with Vocational Finder →

Sources

  1. BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
  2. BLS Employment Projections, 2024–34 (archived), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
  3. O*NET 31.0 Database (August 2026), National Center for O*NET Development / U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
  4. CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk, NCES and BLS. Retrieved 2026-10-01.