Career Definition for an Electronic Technician
Sophisticated electronic equipment marks most business, communication, military, transportation, and production applications today. In order to keep this equipment in top operating condition, the services of an electronics technician are needed. Electronics technicians can either serve as field technicians or bench technicians.
| Required Education | Associate degree in electronics |
| Necessary Skills | Attention to detail, problem solving, communication |
| Average Salary (2021) | $64,230 for electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment |
| Job Outlook (2021-2031) | 2% for electrical and electronics installers and repairers |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Required Education
A career as an electronics tech requires an associate degree in electronics from a community college or trade school with additional training provided while on the job under the direction of a more experienced technician. Electronics technicians usually earn certification in the field through additional experience, classes and testing.
Skills Required
Electronics techs must pay close attention to detail and be able to follow highly complex instructions. Electronics technicians should have skill in troubleshooting problems and coming up with correct solutions. The ability to communicate effectively both in written and oral interaction is important in this career.
Career and Economic Outlook
A 1% decline rate is expected for the electronics technician field from 2021 to 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Median hourly earnings for electronics technicians are dependent on the type of work. Electrical and electronics repairers who work on commercial and industrial equipment made a median annual salary of $61,730 in 2021. Electrical and electronics installers and repairers who work with transportation equipment made a median annual salary of $77,250 in 2021. Most electronics technician positions are in the specialty area of commercial and industrial equipment, as of 2021.
Alternative Career Options
Some skills necessary to become an electronic technician will help prepare you for jobs in other areas.
Electronics Engineering Technician
While electronics technicians install and repair electronic equipment, electronics engineering technicians help design, build and test it. An associate's degree is often required to begin a career as an electronics engineering technician. This career field is also projected to show little or no change from 2021 to 2031, according to the BLS. However, the BLS reported in 2021 that electronics engineering technicians earned a median salary of $63,640, which is slightly higher than the median salary for electrical and electronics repairers.
Computer Repairer
Computer repairers specialize in fixing computers and related electronic equipment, such as monitors and keyboards. Computer repairers typically take a few courses in computer technology after high school to prepare for this career. According to the BLS, the field of computer, ATM and office machine repairers is projected to decline by at least 4% from 2021 to 2031. These workers had a median annual salary of $40,970 as of May 2021, per the BLS.
