All careers › Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Electrical technician: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $49,510lowest 10% earn less
- $61,61025th percentile
- $78,190median
- $97,65075th percentile
- $115,700top 10% earn more
The median electrical technician earned $78,190 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry education[2].
How much do electrical technicians make?
BLS counts these workers as Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians. The median wage was $78,190 a year, or $37.59 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned above that amount and half earned below it[1]. The average was $80,680 a year, or $38.79 an hour[7]. For all occupations in the US, the median was $50,980[4].
Here is how pay spread out:
| Point | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-paid 10% earned less than[3][8] | $49,510 | $23.80 |
| Lowest-paid 25% earned less than[3][8] | $61,610 | $29.62 |
| Median[1] | $78,190 | $37.59 |
| Highest-paid 25% earned more than[3][8] | $97,650 | $46.95 |
| Highest-paid 10% earned more than[3][8] | $115,700 | $55.62 |
A percentile is a boundary. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9]. These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed and the value of benefits such as health insurance[10].
Pay by state and city
Wyoming had the highest state median at $99,840[11]. Rhode Island followed at $98,600, then the District of Columbia at $97,620[11]. South Dakota was last on the list at $58,340[11].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA was first at $106,250[12]. Bakersfield-Delano, CA was next at $103,170, then Lexington Park, MD at $102,640[12].
The most jobs were in California (13,450), Texas (8,960), Florida (4,710), Virginia (4,670) and New York (4,390)[13]. Among metros, Boston-Cambridge-Newton had the most jobs at 3,290, with Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim close behind at 3,230[14].
Show median pay in 50 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming[11] | $99,840 | 200 |
| Rhode Island | $98,600 | 290 |
| District of Columbia | $97,620 | 240 |
| Hawaii | $96,200 | 460 |
| New Mexico | $96,070 | 1,000 |
| Maryland | $95,830 | 2,170 |
| Washington | $93,930 | 2,540 |
| Alaska | $92,760 | 230 |
| Nevada | $88,160 | 1,140 |
| California | $86,090 | 13,450 |
| Illinois | $85,510 | 1,980 |
| New Jersey | $85,510 | 2,250 |
| West Virginia | $85,440 | 300 |
| Maine | $83,440 | 270 |
| Louisiana | $82,990 | 1,000 |
| Montana | $82,050 | 140 |
| Connecticut | $81,390 | 1,190 |
| Mississippi | $81,180 | 650 |
| North Dakota | $80,930 | 120 |
| Oklahoma | $80,880 | 1,170 |
| Virginia | $79,540 | 4,670 |
| Minnesota | $78,280 | 1,540 |
| Georgia | $78,070 | 1,630 |
| Oregon | $77,990 | 1,920 |
| Arizona | $77,960 | 2,260 |
| Massachusetts | $77,710 | 4,030 |
| Colorado | $77,440 | 1,410 |
| Idaho | $77,170 | 650 |
| New York | $77,040 | 4,390 |
| Pennsylvania | $76,070 | 3,470 |
| North Carolina | $76,040 | 2,490 |
| Iowa | $74,840 | 880 |
| Michigan | $74,800 | 2,350 |
| Vermont | $74,760 | 300 |
| New Hampshire | $74,560 | 590 |
| Alabama | $74,500 | 1,620 |
| Texas | $74,050 | 8,960 |
| South Carolina | $73,450 | 2,060 |
| Florida | $73,190 | 4,710 |
| Utah | $72,670 | 1,420 |
| Missouri | $72,120 | 1,390 |
| Wisconsin | $71,880 | 1,520 |
| Indiana | $70,540 | 1,800 |
| Kansas | $70,310 | 770 |
| Arkansas | $69,960 | 310 |
| Delaware | $67,360 | 130 |
| Nebraska | $65,490 | 710 |
| Kentucky | $64,120 | 1,060 |
| Tennessee | $63,750 | 1,820 |
| Ohio | $63,300 | 3,260 |
| South Dakota | $58,340 | 200 |
How to become an electrical technician
BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical education for entry. It lists no work experience and no on-the-job training as typical[2]. Requirements may vary by employer[15]. The path looks like this:
- First: earn an associate's degree. Programs in electrical or electronic engineering technology are offered at community colleges and vocational-technical schools[16]. Accredited programs usually teach algebra, programming languages, physics and circuitry[16].
- Next: check what the job needs. Depending on the tasks or industry, employers may prefer a bachelor's degree. Other jobs may accept a high school diploma[17].
- Then: consider certifications. Many fields have them. They are optional, but they show advanced knowledge[18].
The facts do not say how long a program takes or what it costs.
What electrical technicians do
These workers apply electrical and electronic theory to design, build, repair and adjust components, circuitry, controls and machinery. They usually work under the direction of engineering staff[19]. Typical tasks include:
- Reviewing electrical plans to check they follow design specifications and codes[20]
- Reading blueprints, wiring diagrams and schematics[20]
- Assembling, testing and maintaining circuits and electronic parts with hand or power tools[20]
- Finding and fixing equipment problems, sometimes working with manufacturers to get replacement parts[20]
- Setting up test equipment to diagnose how components and systems perform[20]
- Keeping logs and records of testing, repairs and installed equipment[20]
- Estimating costs and materials and preparing schedules and budgets[20]
Common job titles include electrical technician, electronics technician and communications technologist[21].
Where they work
These technicians work on teams with electrical and electronics engineers. Their work takes place in offices, laboratories and factories[22]. In 2025, 12% worked for the federal government[23].
Most work full time. Some are on day or night shifts that follow production schedules. In the federal government, schedules usually follow a standard workweek[24]. Equipment or toxic materials can pose hazards, but incidents are rare when procedures are followed[25].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 96,900 to 99,200 jobs[5]. All occupations are projected to grow 3.5% over the same years[26]. These counts include self-employed workers[5]. In 2025, 1.4% of these workers were self-employed[27].
About 8,100 openings are projected each year on average[6]. Openings include jobs left by people who retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 2.9% of workers leave the labor force and 5.1% move to a different occupation[28].
The OEWS count of about 95,130 jobs in May 2025 covers wage and salary jobs only, so it differs from the projections count[29][5].
Is it a good fit?
Pay is well above the all-occupations median, and it varies by state and metro area[1][4][11][12]. The usual entry route is an associate's degree, with no typical work experience required[2]. Employment is projected to grow a little more slowly than all occupations, and openings keep appearing as workers leave[5][26][6]. The work involves hands-on assembly and testing as well as reading plans and writing reports[20][30].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an electrical technician make a year?
- The median was $78,190 a year in May 2025, and the average was $80,680[1][7].
- How much does an electrical technician make an hour?
- The median was $37.59 an hour and the average was $38.79[1][7].
- What degree do you need to be an electrical technician?
- BLS lists an associate's degree as typical, though some jobs prefer a bachelor's degree and others accept a high school diploma[2][17].
- Is electrical technician a growing job?
- Employment is projected to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[5][26].
- Which state pays electrical technicians the most?
- Wyoming had the highest median at $99,840, followed by Rhode Island at $98,600[11].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians in the US was $78,190 per year and $37.59 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians: education needed for entry: Associate's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians: 10th percentile $49,510, 25th percentile $61,610, 75th percentile $97,650, 90th percentile $115,700. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians is projected to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 96,900 to 99,200 jobs (a change of +2,300). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: about 8,100 openings for Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians was $80,680 per year and $38.79 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians: 10th percentile $23.80, 25th percentile $29.62, 75th percentile $46.95, 90th percentile $55.62. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians (areas with at least 100 jobs): Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $106,250; Bakersfield-Delano, CA $103,170; Lexington Park, MD $102,640; Baton Rouge, LA $102,380; Albuquerque, NM $102,250; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $98,180; Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $97,680; Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $96,870. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians jobs: California 13,450; Texas 8,960; Florida 4,710; Virginia 4,670; New York 4,390. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians jobs: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 3,290 (median $78,190); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 3,230 (median $81,940); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 2,960 (median $82,000); San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA 2,880 (median $95,280); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 2,720 (median $75,580); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 2,590 (median $84,090). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 17-3023.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Communication Technician (Communication Tech), Communications Technologist, Electrical Engineering Technician (Electrical Engineering Tech), Electrical Technician (Electrical Tech), Electronic Engineering Technician (Electronic Engineering Tech), Electronic Technician (Electronic Tech), Electronics Engineering Technician, Electronics Technician. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians in 2025: Federal government 12%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: 1.4% of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians: 2.9% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 95,130 people were employed as Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
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 the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.