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Test engineer: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$130,220median pay per year, or $62.60 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $81,840lowest 10% earn less
  2. $101,68025th percentile
  3. $130,220median
  4. $167,67075th percentile
  5. $206,960top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

Electronics engineers, except computer, had a median pay of $130,220 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 3.7% from 2025 to 2035, close to the pace for all occupations[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+3.7%[2]
Openings per year
4,900[6]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[7]

How much do test engineers make?

O*NET lists Compatibility Test Engineer and Evaluation Engineer among sample job titles for this occupation[8]. The closest official category is Electronics Engineers, Except Computer, and the numbers here are for that group.

The median wage was $130,220 a year, or $62.60 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The mean (average) was $137,280 a year, or $66.00 an hour[9]. For comparison, the median for all occupations was $50,980[5].

Pay varies a lot:

Point in the range Annual wage Source
10th percentile[4] $81,840
25th percentile[4] $101,680
Median[1] $130,220
75th percentile[4] $167,670
90th percentile[4] $206,960

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $81,840[4]. A percentile is a boundary line. BLS publishes percentiles, not a starting salary[10]. The hourly figures were $39.35 at the 10th percentile and $99.50 at the 90th[11].

These wages come from a survey of wage and salary jobs. They leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[12].

Pay by state and city

California had the highest median wage among states at $160,520, followed by New Jersey at $158,730 and the District of Columbia at $157,040[13]. Maryland came next at $155,650[13].

California also had the most jobs, about 20,830[14]. Texas (9,520), Colorado (6,080), Massachusetts (5,910) and Florida (5,280) followed[14].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA had the highest median at $194,370[15]. Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA was next at $172,290, then Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX at $162,960[15]. San Jose also had the most jobs of any metro area, at 5,970, ahead of Boston-Cambridge-Newton at 5,460[16].

Show median pay in 49 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
California[13]$160,52020,830
New Jersey$158,7301,820
District of Columbia$157,040400
Maryland$155,6503,390
Massachusetts$138,2305,910
New Mexico$136,9901,110
Rhode Island$136,360970
Texas$132,2209,520
Washington$130,2701,950
Illinois$129,390960
Utah$128,4301,570
Maine$127,490n/a
Michigan$127,2002,960
Colorado$127,0106,080
Hawaii$126,690310
Oregon$124,4001,730
Georgia$123,0102,630
Tennessee$122,920740
Pennsylvania$121,2601,440
Alabama$120,7201,940
West Virginia$120,17090
Virginia$119,9903,280
New York$119,1802,220
Ohio$118,8303,240
Arizona$118,1202,100
Missouri$117,630740
Florida$116,8605,280
Nevada$116,180360
North Carolina$115,9202,090
South Carolina$113,7201,030
Mississippi$112,400160
Minnesota$112,3901,200
Indiana$112,2001,420
Arkansas$109,830150
Oklahoma$109,1201,410
Alaska$106,810180
Connecticut$106,0401,130
New Hampshire$105,190320
North Dakota$104,86050
Kansas$103,740770
Idaho$102,770500
Kentucky$101,860860
Louisiana$100,390450
Wyoming$95,910110
Wisconsin$93,710360
Montana$93,380140
Nebraska$91,140250
Vermont$86,18070
South Dakota$84,150190
Iowa$81,330350

How to become an electronics engineer

The Occupational Outlook Handbook profile used for training details covers a wider group, electrical and electronics engineers, so it describes more than this one occupation[17].

In an O*NET survey of 16 workers, 83% said a bachelor's degree is required and 14% said an associate's degree[21]. The handbook adds that some employers may prefer a master's degree[20].

A license is not needed for entry-level jobs. Experienced engineers may later get a Professional Engineering (PE) license, which lets them oversee other engineers, sign off on projects and serve the public directly[22]. State licensure typically involves an engineering degree, two exams and several years of work experience[23]. Each state issues its own licenses[24].

What test engineers and electronics engineers do

O*NET describes the work as researching, designing, developing and testing electronic parts and systems used in commercial, industrial, military or scientific settings[25]. Common tasks include:

Sample job titles reported by workers include Compatibility Test Engineer, Design Engineer, Evaluation Engineer and RF Engineer[8].

Where they work

The handbook says electrical and electronics engineers generally work in an office, and travel may be needed to see project sites or complex equipment[27]. Most work full time[28]. The federal government, excluding the postal service, employed 15% of them in 2025[29]. Only 0.4% of electronics engineers, except computer, were self-employed in 2025[30].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 3.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 98,200 to 101,800 jobs[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[3]. These counts include self-employed workers[2].

About 4,900 openings a year are projected on average[6]. Openings include jobs created when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 1.9% of workers leave the labor force and 2.6% move to a different occupation[31].

BLS counted about 96,900 wage and salary jobs in May 2025[32]. The OEWS count covers wage and salary jobs only, while the projection count includes self-employed workers[32][2].

Is it a good fit?

The pay is well above the all-occupations median, though the range from lowest to highest is wide[1][5][4]. Entry typically needs a bachelor's degree but no related experience[7]. Growth is close to the average for all occupations, and openings come from workers leaving as well as new jobs[2][3][6]. The work involves math, computer skills and working with others[33][34][35]. Pay is higher in some states and metro areas than others, so location matters[13][15].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[36].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a test engineer make?
For electronics engineers, except computer, the median was $130,220 a year, or $62.60 an hour, in May 2025[1].
What degree do you need to be an electronics engineer?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education[7]. The handbook names electrical engineering, electronics engineering or a related engineering field[18].
Do electronics engineers need a license?
Not for entry-level positions. Experienced engineers may obtain a Professional Engineering license[22].
Are electronics engineers in demand?
BLS projects 3.7% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, and about 4,900 openings a year[2][3][6].
What is the highest paying state for electronics engineers?
California had the highest median wage at $160,520 in May 2025[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Electronics Engineers, Except Computer in the US was $130,220 per year and $62.60 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Electronics Engineers, Except Computer is projected to grow 3.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 98,200 to 101,800 jobs (a change of +3,600). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Electronics Engineers, Except Computer: 10th percentile $81,840, 25th percentile $101,680, 75th percentile $167,670, 90th percentile $206,960. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 4,900 openings for Electronics Engineers, Except Computer 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
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Electronics Engineers, Except Computer: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  8. O*NET 17-2072.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Compatibility Test Engineer, Design Engineer, Electronics Design Engineer, Engineer, Evaluation Engineer, Integrated Circuit Design Engineer (IC Design Engineer), Product Engineer, Radio Frequency Engineer (RF Engineer). O*NET OnLine
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Electronics Engineers, Except Computer was $137,280 per year and $66.00 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. 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
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Electronics Engineers, Except Computer: 10th percentile $39.35, 25th percentile $48.88, 75th percentile $80.61, 90th percentile $99.50. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. 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
  13. Median annual wage for Electronics Engineers, Except Computer in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Electronics Engineers, Except Computer jobs: California 20,830; Texas 9,520; Colorado 6,080; Massachusetts 5,910; Florida 5,280. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Electronics Engineers, Except Computer (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $194,370; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $172,290; Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $162,960; Raleigh-Cary, NC $162,800; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $162,440; Lexington Park, MD $156,750; Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $156,520; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $156,480. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Electronics Engineers, Except Computer jobs: San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA 5,970 (median $194,370); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 5,460 (median $142,920); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 4,880 (median $140,530); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 4,200 (median $135,150); Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO 3,810 (median $127,260); San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA 3,450 (median $156,480). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Electrical and Electronics Engineers" covers Electronics Engineers, Except Computer together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. O*NET 17-2072.00 survey of workers (16 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 83%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 14% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. O*NET description of Electronics Engineers, Except Computer. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET task list for Electronics Engineers, Except Computer. O*NET OnLine
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of electrical and electronics engineers in 2025: Federal government, excluding postal service 15%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. BLS Employment Projections: 0.4% of Electronics Engineers, Except Computer were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  31. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Electronics Engineers, Except Computer: 1.9% of workers leave the labor force each year and 2.6% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  32. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 96,900 people were employed as Electronics Engineers, Except Computer in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. 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.