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Salary Breakdown

$42K Entry$62K Median$88K+ Ceiling
Entry Level
$42K
First 1–2 years
Electrical Engineering Technician
$62K
BLS National Median
Experienced
$88K+
With specialization

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Figures represent national medians. Actual salaries vary by location, employer, and experience.

🗺️

Your Roadmap to Electrical Engineering Technician

  1. 1
    Complete an AAS in Electrical Technology

    Community college AAS programs in Electrical Technology or Electronics Engineering Technology (2 years) cover: DC and AC circuit theory, digital electronics, microprocessors, PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), motor controls, power distribution, National Electrical Code (NEC) fundamentals, and test equipment operation. Cost: $3,000–$8,000. Many include ISCET CET exam preparation. This foundational program provides the circuit theory and practical skills required for entry-level EE technician positions.

    AAS Electrical Technology — community college
  2. 2
    Earn ISCET Certified Electronics Technician (CET)

    The CET (Certified Electronics Technician) from ISCET (International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians) is the primary professional credential for electronics and electrical technicians. Associate CET (entry, $40 exam) covers: DC/AC theory, transistors, digital logic. Journeyman CET ($40–$60) adds specialty areas: industrial electronics, consumer electronics, avionics. CET is recognized across defense, manufacturing, and commercial electronics industries.

    ISCET CET — Associate and Journeyman levels
  3. 3
    Develop Power Systems and NEC Knowledge

    Power systems knowledge differentiates electrical engineering technicians who work on high-value industrial and utility projects from those limited to electronics assembly and testing. NEC (National Electrical Code) NFPA 70 is the standard governing electrical installations in the United States — required knowledge for any technician involved in power distribution design or documentation. NICET (National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies) offers Power Quality and Electrical Power Distribution certifications for technicians specializing in power systems.

    NEC NFPA 70 + NICET power systems certification
  4. 4
    Learn PCB Design and Schematic Capture

    Electrical engineering technicians who can create schematics and PCB (printed circuit board) layouts using EDA (Electronic Design Automation) tools are significantly more valuable than those limited to testing existing designs. Tools: Altium Designer (industry standard, $3,500+ license — learn through trial or employer access), KiCad (free, open-source — excellent for learning), and Eagle (Autodesk, free for non-commercial). PCB design skills open electronics manufacturing and product development roles.

    KiCad PCB design + Altium schematic capture
  5. 5
    Specialize in PLC Programming or Power Distribution

    PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) programming is the highest-demand skill for industrial EE technicians: Allen-Bradley (Rockwell Automation) RSLogix/Studio 5000, Siemens TIA Portal, and Mitsubishi GX Works are the major platforms. Ladder logic programming, HMI development, and VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) configuration. These skills overlap significantly with PLC Technician role and command $72K–$88K. Power distribution specialization (switchgear, transformer sizing, load flow analysis) opens utility and commercial construction roles.

    PLC programming: RSLogix 5000 or Siemens TIA Portal
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Key Certifications & Credentials

CET (Certified Electronics Technician) + NCATT AET
ISCET / NCATT
Primary Credential
OSHA 10 / 30-Hour
OSHA / USDOL
Widely Required
BLS / First Aid
American Heart Association
Safety Standard
Specialty / Advanced
ISCET / NCATT
+Pay Premium
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A Day in the Life — Electrical Engineering Technician

  • 7:00 AMDaily briefing — review the day's work orders: 2 preventive maintenance visits on motor control centers, 1 transformer inspection, and an afternoon meeting with the engineer on a new pump station electrical design.
  • 7:30 AMMCC maintenance — at Pump Station 4. Open the motor control center (MCC): inspect all connections for heat damage (infrared thermometer scan), check torque on main bus connections, test the overload relay setpoints against the motor nameplate FLA, clean bus bars. All within spec. Document in the maintenance record.
  • 10:00 AMTransformer inspection — 1000 kVA pad-mount transformer feeding the south industrial building. Check oil level and dielectric oil sample (send to lab for dissolved gas analysis). Inspect bushing connections, ground grid, and cooling fins. No visible issues. Record inspection data.
  • 12:00 PMLunch — 30 minutes.
  • 1:00 PMDesign meeting — new pump station project. Engineer has a single-line diagram concept. Review together: confirm the motor HP ratings match the feeders specified (2 x 100HP motors on 125A feeders — correct per NEC 430.52 motor circuit protection), verify the transformer sizing (250 kVA covers the load plus 20% growth), and discuss the ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch) sequence for emergency generator backup.
  • 2:30 PMDrawing markup — create the AutoCAD electrical drawings from the engineer's single-line: panel schedule, conduit routing plan, equipment layout, and grounding diagram. Generate the load calculation sheet per NEC Article 220.
  • 4:00 PMTroubleshooting — a pump at Station 6 tripped on motor overload. Pull the amp readings from the local display: 47A actual vs. 42A nameplate FLA. Check the pump: cavitation suspected. Notify the mechanical maintenance team. Reduce the overload setpoint to protect the motor while mechanical investigates the hydraulic issue.
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Pros & Cons

✅ Pros

  • AAS programs are affordable and have direct industry placement
  • Wide range of industries — every sector that uses electrical equipment needs EE technicians
  • Power systems and PLC programming specialization reach $75K–$88K
  • Outdoor and hands-on work available in utilities and construction
  • Strong job security — electrical systems are everywhere
  • NCATT AET certification opens defense electronics roles

❌ Cons

  • $62K median — power or PLC specialization needed for significant income growth
  • +2% growth is slow — technical advances in automation affect some functions
  • Electrical safety requirements are strict — working on energized circuits carries real risk
  • Heavy industrial environments can be physically demanding and loud
  • Some roles involve shift work, especially in utilities and manufacturing
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Electrical Engineering Technician vs. College Degree

Electrical Engineering Technician Path4-Year Degree
Time to First JobAAS in Electrical Technology + ISCET CET certification4+ years
Training CostSignificantly less$60K–$150K+
Entry Salary$42K Varies by major
Median Salary$62KVaries by major
Ceiling$88K+Varies
Key CredentialCET (Certified Electronics Technician) + NCATT AETBachelor's Degree
Debt at StartMinimal to none$30K–$100K+

Verdict: The Electrical Engineering Technician path delivers $62K median earning power from AAS in Electrical Technology + ISCET CET certification of focused training. The CET (Certified Electronics Technician) + NCATT AET credential is what employers recognize. Starting with minimal debt and a clear professional identity beats four years of general coursework for most students drawn to this field.

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Is This Career a Fit for You?

⚡
Circuits-Curious
How electrical circuits work — from basic DC theory to industrial power systems
🔧
Hands-On
Testing, troubleshooting, and working with real electrical equipment
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Documentation-Precise
Reading and creating electrical schematics and wiring diagrams accurately
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Industrial-Comfortable
Manufacturing plants, utilities, and construction sites as your work environment
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PLC-Track
PLC programming as the career advancement path to $72K–$88K
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Not a Fit
Are not comfortable with the electrical safety requirements and physical work environments, prefer software over hardware, or are not motivated by the technical depth of circuit theory and power systems
⭐

Success Story

AAS in electrical technology. CET Journeyman. Started at a commercial electrical contractor at $45k. Added NEC and NICET Power Distribution cert. Moved to the city water utility — power systems and SCADA. $78k. PLC programming next year. Utilities pay better than contracting and the schedule is predictable. The NICET cert was the key differentiator that got me the utility job.

KS
Kevin S.
Electrical Engineering Tech | Water Treatment Utility, Phoenix AZ
CET Journeyman + NICET
Credentials
$78K
Utility EE Tech
SCADA/power systems
Specialty
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Frequently Asked Questions

The NEC (National Electrical Code), published by NFPA as NFPA 70, is the standard for electrical wiring and equipment installation in the United States. It is adopted by reference into virtually all state and local building codes. The NEC covers: service entrance equipment sizing, conductor ampacity and overcurrent protection, grounding and bonding requirements, wiring methods and materials for different environments, motor circuit protection requirements, receptacle and lighting installation standards, and hazardous location (Class I/II/III Division I/II) wiring requirements. Electrical engineering technicians need NEC knowledge for: sizing conductors and overcurrent protection for new installations, interpreting electrical inspection requirements, designing and documenting electrical systems for building permits, and understanding why existing installations are designed the way they are. The NEC is updated every 3 years — electrical technicians must stay current with the code cycle applicable to their jurisdiction.
A motor control center is a standardized electrical enclosure containing multiple motor starters, circuit breakers, and control equipment — used to centrally manage and protect multiple electric motors in an industrial facility from a single location. Each MCC "bucket" or "unit" contains: a circuit breaker (overcurrent protection), motor starter (contactor that switches motor power on and off), overload relay (protects the motor from sustained overcurrent due to mechanical overload), and often a variable frequency drive (VFD) for speed control. MCCs are common in: water and wastewater treatment plants (multiple pumps), manufacturing facilities (conveyor motors, compressors, fans), HVAC systems (air handlers, chillers), and petrochemical plants. Electrical engineering technicians maintain MCCs: performing thermal scans for hot spots, torquing bus connections, testing overcurrent protection devices, replacing overload relay heater elements, and documenting maintenance records required by NFPA 70E electrical safety standards.
A single-line diagram (SLD, also called a one-line diagram) is the primary electrical system documentation tool — a simplified schematic showing the major electrical components and their interconnections using standardized symbols, with each three-phase conductor represented by a single line rather than the three actual conductors. SLDs show: the utility service entrance, main distribution board or switchgear, feeders to sub-panels and equipment, transformer connections, motor starter locations, and overcurrent protection devices at each level. SLDs are used for: system planning and design, understanding the power distribution architecture before working on any part of the system, performing load flow calculations, and providing documentation for permit submissions and maintenance records. Every electrical engineering technician must be able to read SLDs accurately — they are the map of the electrical system, and working on any component without understanding how it fits into the SLD is an electrical safety risk.
NFPA 70E (Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace) defines the safety requirements for working on or near energized electrical equipment. The central hazard: arc flash — an explosive electrical discharge that releases enormous energy instantaneously, capable of causing severe burns, fire, and blast injuries at distances of several feet. NFPA 70E requirements: electrical workers must perform an arc flash hazard analysis to determine the incident energy level at each piece of equipment, wear appropriately rated PPE (arc flash suits rated in cal/cm²), follow an energized electrical work permit process for any work that cannot be done de-energized, and maintain a safe working boundary distance. For electrical engineering technicians, NFPA 70E compliance is not optional — it is a professional and legal requirement in any workplace governed by OSHA. Technicians who work on energized equipment without understanding arc flash hazards and NFPA 70E requirements put themselves and coworkers at serious risk.
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AI & Automation Impact

🟢 Low Impact
AI Disruption Risk2/5

Electrical engineering technicians test, troubleshoot, and support the development of electrical systems — hands-on technical work requiring physical testing and professional judgment. AI simulation tools assist design but the physical testing, troubleshooting, and field work remain human-essential.

⚠️ Threats to Watch
  • AI circuit simulation tools reduce some prototype iteration cycles
  • Automated testing equipment reduces some routine test procedure time
💡 AI Opportunities
  • Physical testing, system troubleshooting, and field installation require trained technicians
  • EV and renewable energy expansion is driving strong electrical engineering demand
  • Power electronics and battery system expertise are in highest demand
2035 Outlook: Electrical engineering technicians face low AI displacement risk. Physical testing and troubleshooting work is irreplaceable. EV, renewable energy, and power electronics are driving demand growth in the most technology-resilient segments of the field.
AI Tools in This Field
AI circuit simulation (SPICE AI tools)Automated test equipmentAI-assisted PCB layout tools
Automation Risk Level: Low

This Career Path vs. a 4-Year Degree

See how this career compares to pursuing a traditional college degree in a related field.

✅
This Career Path
  • ✓ Start earning in months, not years
  • ✓ No student loan debt
  • ✓ Hands-on training from day one
  • ✓ Industry-recognized certifications
  • ✓ High demand, stable employment
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4-Year College Degree
  • – 4+ years before entering the workforce
  • – Average $37,000+ in student debt
  • – Largely theoretical coursework
  • – Degree may not match job market needs
  • – No guarantee of higher earnings
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