Career Explorer Engineering and architecture
Changing shape
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.
Changing faster than most: more resilient than 30% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is high (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it high), and US jobs are projected to change by +2.4% by 2035, slower than average. The work leans on creative vision and physical dexterity.
AI can do many of the tasks, and hiring is expected to grow slower than average or to shrink. The job is likely to change, so build the human parts of it.
- Median pay (2025)
- $78,190
- Job growth to 2035
- +2.4%
- Openings a year
- 8,100
- People doing it (2025)
- 96,900
- Usual route in
- Associate's degree
Where people already use AI for this work
- Maintain electronic, computer, or other technical equipment
- Test performance of equipment or systems
- Evaluate designs, specifications, or other technical data
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Maintain operational records
- Assemble equipment or components
- Resolve personnel or operational problems
What the work looks like
- 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.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects
- Fewer of these jobs, as robotics and automation of tasks such as assembly and testing increase the productivity of workers.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Tool and die makersHuman edge, steady, Index 39, -9.2%
- Industrial engineering technologists and techniciansChanging shape, Index 47, +3.1%
- Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and techniciansHuman edge, steady, Index 64, +2.6%
- SurveyorsGrows with AI, Index 38, +5.8%
Also known as: Electrical Engineering Technician (Electrical Engineering Tech), Electrical Technician (Electrical Tech), Electronics Engineering Technician, Electronics Technician, Communication Technician (Communication Tech), Communications Technologist, Electronic Engineering Technician (Electronic Engineering Tech), Electronic Technician (Electronic Tech).
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.