Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Associate's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians work in a field that combines technical knowledge with analytical and problem-solving skills. With national employment of 94,000, this occupation represents a sizable workforce. The national median annual salary of $77,180 points to solid earnings potential for those who develop the right blend of technical and analytical abilities. Projected employment growth of 0.6% and about 8,000 annual openings indicate ongoing demand, including both new positions and replacement needs. The role suits people who are comfortable with computers and information technology, mechanical concepts, mathematics, and science, and who can apply critical and analytical thinking to detailed technical work. Strong problem solving, decision making, and project management skills are also important, along with clear writing and reading abilities. For individuals interested in applying creativity and innovation to electrical and electronic systems, this career offers a stable, skills-focused path that can be entered with an associate’s degree and built upon over time.
The national median annual salary for electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians is $77,180, indicating competitive pay for a role that typically requires an associate’s degree. Earnings vary by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, Washington reports a median salary of $93,930 and California $86,090, both above the national median. Massachusetts, Colorado, and New York show median salaries close to or slightly above the national figure, ranging from $77,040 to $77,710 and $77,440. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA stands out with a median salary of $95,280, followed by San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $91,020 and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ at $82,000. These differences highlight how location can significantly influence earning potential, with some metro areas and states offering higher pay for the same occupation.
Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians have national employment of 94,000, reflecting a well-established occupation. Projected employment growth of 0.6% suggests that overall job numbers are expected to edge upward. About 8,000 annual openings are projected, which include opportunities created by workforce turnover as well as any new positions. This combination of modest growth and steady openings indicates that people entering or advancing in this field can expect a consistent flow of job opportunities over time. The uniform 0.6% growth rate reported for the top states and metro areas underscores a similar moderate outlook across a range of locations. Individuals who maintain strong technical and analytical skills, and who can work with computers, mechanical concepts, and detailed information, may be well positioned to compete for available roles as openings arise each year.
Location plays a clear role in shaping opportunities for electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians. Among states, California has the highest employment level at 13,450 and a median salary of $86,090, with an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts and New York offer median salaries around $77,000 and employment between 4,030 and 4,390, both with opportunity scores above 65. Colorado and Washington have smaller employment bases, at 1,410 and 2,540, but still appear among the top states, with Washington offering a notably higher median salary of $93,930. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA leads with the highest opportunity score (77.42) and a median salary of $95,280. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ closely follows with a similar opportunity score and a median salary of $82,000. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH round out the top metros, each combining solid employment levels with competitive pay.
The typical education for electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians is an associate’s degree. This makes the field accessible to those seeking a technical career path that does not require a four-year degree. Success in this occupation depends on a broad mix of skills. Strong competency in computers and information technology, mechanical concepts, mathematics, and science is important. The work also calls for critical and analytical thinking, along with problem solving and decision making, to handle technical challenges. Being detail oriented supports accuracy and quality in technical tasks, while project management skills help in organizing work and meeting objectives. Creativity and innovation can contribute to developing or improving technical solutions. Finally, solid writing and reading skills are essential for understanding technical information and documenting work. Together, the associate’s degree foundation and this skill set support long-term career development in this field.
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