What Does it Take to Be an Electronics Engineering Technician?
Electronics Engineering Technician Job Description Lay out, build, test, troubleshoot, repair, and modify developmental and production electronic components, parts, equipment, and systems, such as computer equipment, missile control instrumentation, electron tubes, test equipment, and machine tool numerical controls, applying principles and theories of electronics, electrical circuitry, engineering mathematics, electronic and electrical testing, and physics. Usually work under direction of engineering staff.
Life As an Electronics Engineering Technician
- Adjust or replace defective or improperly functioning circuitry or electronics components, using hand tools or soldering iron.
- Test electronics units, using standard test equipment, and analyze results to evaluate performance and determine need for adjustment.
- Perform preventative maintenance or calibration of equipment or systems.
- Research equipment or component needs, sources, competitive prices, delivery times, or ongoing operational costs.
- Maintain system logs or manuals to document testing or operation of equipment.
- Survey satellite receival sites for proper signal level or provide technical assistance in dish location or installation, transporting dishes as necessary.
What Every Electronics Engineering Technician Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Electronics Engineering Technicians say are important on the job.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Instrument Repairer
- Electronics Engineering Technician
- Technician
- Failure Analysis Technician (FA Technician)
- Computer Engineering Technician
Electronics Engineering Technician Employment Estimates
There were about 137,000 jobs for Electronics Engineering Technician in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 2% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 2,800 new jobs for Electronics Engineering Technician by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 12,000 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Electronics Engineering Technician are Nevada, Utah, and Wisconsin. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Kentucky, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Electronics Engineering Technicians Salary
The average yearly salary of an Electronics Engineering Technician ranges between $38,110 and $95,140.
Electronics Engineering Technicians who work in Alaska, District of Columbia, or Vermont, make the highest salaries.
How much do Electronics Engineering Technicians make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $61,120 |
Alaska | $82,770 |
Arizona | $63,550 |
Arkansas | $60,950 |
California | $67,700 |
Colorado | $71,860 |
Connecticut | $65,630 |
Delaware | $56,680 |
District of Columbia | $83,330 |
Florida | $58,500 |
Georgia | $66,210 |
Hawaii | $72,390 |
Idaho | $57,290 |
Illinois | $67,390 |
Indiana | $62,730 |
Iowa | $64,000 |
Kansas | $65,270 |
Kentucky | $61,880 |
Louisiana | $54,980 |
Maine | $63,380 |
Maryland | $72,810 |
Massachusetts | $66,350 |
Michigan | $59,040 |
Minnesota | $61,320 |
Mississippi | $64,070 |
Missouri | $60,650 |
Montana | $67,370 |
Nebraska | $59,220 |
Nevada | $68,920 |
New Hampshire | $59,160 |
New Jersey | $68,740 |
New Mexico | $64,650 |
New York | $65,310 |
North Carolina | $61,080 |
North Dakota | $67,860 |
Ohio | $61,040 |
Oklahoma | $68,500 |
Oregon | $64,220 |
Pennsylvania | $56,240 |
Rhode Island | $69,760 |
South Carolina | $60,670 |
South Dakota | $54,190 |
Tennessee | $56,480 |
Texas | $67,870 |
Utah | $60,490 |
Vermont | $83,540 |
Virginia | $70,750 |
Washington | $72,820 |
West Virginia | $67,960 |
Wisconsin | $54,290 |
Wyoming | $74,500 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Electronics Engineering Technicians
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Electronics Engineering Technicians:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Access
- SAP
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Spreadsheet software
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Database software
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Linux
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- FileMaker Pro
- National Instruments LabVIEW
- C
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS
- Graphics software
How do I Become an Electronics Engineering Technician?
What education is needed to be an Electronics Engineering Technician?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Electronics Engineering Technicians Are Employed
Below are examples of industries where Electronics Engineering Technicians work:
You May Also Be Interested In…
Career changers with experience as an Electronics Engineering Technician sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: {} via CC0 Public Domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.