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Electronic technician: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$74,090median pay per year, or $35.62 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $46,840lowest 10% earn less
  2. $60,04025th percentile
  3. $74,090median
  4. $88,71075th percentile
  5. $105,590top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

The median pay for this job was $74,090 a year in May 2025[1]. Employment is projected to grow just 0.3% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+0.3%[2]
Openings per year
4,700[5]
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award[6]

How much do electronic technicians make?

This page covers the BLS category Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment. The median wage was $74,090 a year, or $35.62 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned above that amount and half earned below it[1]. The average was $75,570 a year, or $36.33 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] $46,840 $22.52
Lowest-paid 25% earned less than[3][8] $60,040 $28.86
Median[1] $74,090 $35.62
Highest-paid 25% earned more than[3][8] $88,710 $42.65
Highest-paid 10% earned more than[3][8] $105,590 $50.77

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

Washington had the highest state median at $99,200[11]. North Dakota followed at $98,700, then Alaska at $96,390[11]. Illinois was last on the list at $59,950[11].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA was first at $122,860[12]. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA was next at $109,570, then Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX at $105,520[12].

Texas had the most jobs by a wide margin at 13,540[13]. California (5,830), Florida (3,650), Georgia (3,040) and Pennsylvania (2,710) followed[13]. Among metros, Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands had the most jobs at 4,690[14].

Show median pay in 50 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Washington[11]$99,2001,660
North Dakota$98,700520
Alaska$96,390160
Oregon$91,910840
California$87,0805,830
Wyoming$86,880100
Delaware$86,290160
Hawaii$85,420400
Nevada$82,680710
Maine$81,180410
New Mexico$80,590420
Minnesota$80,2201,240
Maryland$79,6501,160
Colorado$79,6102,200
New York$78,1301,700
New Hampshire$77,850210
Massachusetts$77,570920
Kansas$77,360340
Connecticut$77,290430
Arizona$77,110n/a
Rhode Island$76,860200
North Carolina$76,7401,660
Montana$75,660120
Utah$75,500750
South Carolina$75,4901,130
Oklahoma$75,480800
New Jersey$74,9801,290
Wisconsin$74,980850
West Virginia$74,920220
Texas$74,48013,540
Vermont$74,000110
Iowa$72,2501,130
Mississippi$71,700500
Virginia$71,3201,570
Georgia$68,4703,040
Arkansas$66,980330
Indiana$66,6201,100
Michigan$66,1401,460
Pennsylvania$65,9602,710
Alabama$65,600930
South Dakota$64,900470
Louisiana$64,500950
Idaho$64,410420
Nebraska$64,120410
Kentucky$62,980630
Ohio$62,3101,510
Tennessee$61,5601,700
Florida$61,5303,650
Missouri$60,950590
Illinois$59,9501,150

How to become an electronic technician

BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical education for entry. It lists no related work experience and long-term on-the-job training as typical[6]. The training details below come from a BLS profile that covers a wider group of installer and repairer jobs, so they describe the group, not only this occupation[15].

In an O*NET survey of 20 workers, 46% said an associate's degree was required, 32% said a post-secondary certificate and 22% said a high school diploma or equivalent[19]. The facts do not say how long the whole path takes or what it costs.

What electronic technicians do

These workers fix, check, adjust or set up electronic gear such as industrial controls, transmitters and antennas[20]. Typical tasks include:

Job titles reported by workers include control technician, electrical maintenance technician and electronic technician[22].

Where they work

The work-environment details here also come from the wider profile[15]. Many workers in the group are in repair shops or factories. Some work outdoors in all kinds of weather, and travel to job sites may be needed[23]. The job can involve lifting heavy equipment and working in awkward positions[24]. Some components weigh over 50 pounds[25].

Most workers in the group are full time. Some may be on call evenings or weekends for emergency repairs[26]. In 2025, 17% of the group worked in manufacturing[27].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 0.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 65,500 to 65,700 jobs[2]. All occupations are projected to grow 3.5% over the same years[28]. These counts include self-employed workers[2].

BLS names one factor behind the weak demand. Technology such as remote sensors and cloud connectivity is replacing hard wired systems, which reduces the need for electrical repairs[29].

Still, about 4,700 openings are projected each year on average[5]. Openings include jobs left by people who retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 2.2% of workers leave the labor force and 5% move to a different occupation[30].

The OEWS count of about 65,010 jobs in May 2025 covers wage and salary jobs only, so it differs from the projections count[31][2].

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 a postsecondary nondegree award followed by long-term training on the job[6]. Employment is projected to be nearly flat, and BLS points to technology that reduces repair needs[2][29]. Openings still come up each year as workers leave or change jobs[5][30].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[32].

Frequently asked questions

How much does an electronic technician make a year?
The median was $74,090 a year in May 2025 for this BLS category, and the average was $75,570[1][7].
How much does an electronic technician make an hour?
The median was $35.62 an hour and the average was $36.33[1][7].
What education do you need to be an electronic technician?
BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as typical, with long-term on-the-job training[6].
Is electronic technician a growing job?
Barely. Employment is projected to grow 0.3% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][28].
Which state pays electronic technicians the most?
Washington had the highest median at $99,200, followed by North Dakota at $98,700[11].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment in the US was $74,090 per year and $35.62 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment is projected to grow 0.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 65,500 to 65,700 jobs (a change of +200). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment: 10th percentile $46,840, 25th percentile $60,040, 75th percentile $88,710, 90th percentile $105,590. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 4,700 openings for Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment 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
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment: education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment was $75,570 per year and $36.33 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment: 10th percentile $22.52, 25th percentile $28.86, 75th percentile $42.65, 90th percentile $50.77. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. Median annual wage for Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $122,860; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $109,570; Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX $105,520; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $96,900; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $95,360; Anchorage, AK $94,370; Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $93,890; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $92,390. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment jobs: Texas 13,540; California 5,830; Florida 3,650; Georgia 3,040; Pennsylvania 2,710. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment jobs: Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 4,690 (median $77,880); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 2,910 (median $73,530); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 1,300 (median $76,190); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 1,230 (median $79,930); Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO 1,060 (median $80,440); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 1,050 (median $67,370). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers" covers Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. O*NET 49-2094.00 survey of workers (20 respondents), education level they say is required: Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 46%, Post-Secondary Certificate 32%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 22% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  20. O*NET description of Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment. O*NET OnLine
  21. O*NET task list for Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment. O*NET OnLine
  22. O*NET 49-2094.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Control Technician, E and I Mechanic (Electrical and Instrument Mechanic), E and I Mechanic (Electrical and Instrumentation Mechanic), Electrical and Instrument Technician (E and I Tech), Electrical Maintenance Technician, Electronic Technician, I and C Tech (Instrument and Control Technician), Instrument and Electrical Technician (I and E Tech). O*NET OnLine
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of electrical and electronics installers and repairers in 2025: Manufacturing 17%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  29. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment: Demand change - share decreases as technology such as remote sensors and cloud connectivity replace hard wired systems, reducing the need for electrical repairs. BLS Employment Projections
  30. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment: 2.2% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  31. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 65,010 people were employed as Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  32. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

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.