Electronic Technician Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
Community colleges and vocational schools provide programs in electronics. Various professional and educational organizations provide certification.
Training and Education
Employees are generally expected to have an associate degree. About 18% of electronic technicians hold a bachelor's degree or better. Currently 54% of workers have some college education, though not a degree. About 27% of employees were able to get their jobs with a high-school diploma.
Job Overview
Electronic techs are involved in the designing, developing, manufacturing, testing, repairing and installing of electronic equipment. Electronic technicians usually perform a wide array of tasks, depending on the needs of the employer. A lot of them are employed by companies that use electricity to power machinery.
Job Requirements
Many employers prefer applicants that have an associate degree in electronics. Many employers require applicants to be certified. Technicians with certification may be given additional responsibilities and higher pay.
Nature of Work
- Identify and fix equipment malfunctions
- Test electronic units using test equipment
- Perform preventive maintenance and calibration of systems and equipment
- Replace or adjust improperly functioning electronic components
Area Job Conditions
Electronic technicians are relatively common in Framingham (Massachusetts), Lowell (Massachusetts), and Cedar Rapids (Iowa). They are rarer in Omaha (Nebraska), Salinas (California), and Visalia (California).
Workers are paid highest in Salinas (California), Anchorage (Alaska), and Bremerton (Washington), and lowest in New Bedford (Massachusetts), Olympia (Washington), and Fayetteville (Arkansas).
Part-Time and Self Employment
About 6% of electronic technicians work less than full-time. In 1% of the cases, workers work for themselves.
Career Videos
Electronic Technicians by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $49,000 | 230 | -59% |
| Decatur | $38,000 | 40 | -26% |
| Huntsville | $53,000 | 1,150 | +396% |
| Mobile | $52,000 | 70 | -64% |
| Montgomery | $54,000 | 120 | -33% |
Alaska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $80,000 | 310 | +67% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff | $57,000 | 30 | -48% |
| Kingman | $47,000 | 40 | -16% |
| Phoenix | $51,000 | 3,620 | +77% |
| Tucson | $59,000 | 560 | +44% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $44,000 | 90 | -60% |
| Fort Smith | $48,000 | 50 | -63% |
| Jonesboro | $50,000 | 30 | -36% |
| Little Rock | $51,000 | 280 | -29% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $77,000 | 640 | +118% |
| Fresno | $62,000 | 200 | -45% |
| Los Angeles | $65,000 | 3,890 | -17% |
| Modesto | $71,000 | 170 | -1% |
| Oakland | $56,000 | 1,610 | +40% |
| Oxnard | $70,000 | 690 | +105% |
| Riverside | $58,000 | 830 | -40% |
| Sacramento | $59,000 | 510 | -49% |
| Salinas | $73,000 | 60 | -66% |
| San Diego | $64,000 | 2,610 | +72% |
| San Francisco | $66,000 | 780 | -32% |
| San Jose | $61,000 | 3,730 | +260% |
| San Luis Obispo | $44,000 | 60 | -39% |
| Santa Ana | $53,000 | 1,920 | +14% |
| Santa Barbara | $54,000 | 280 | +51% |
| Santa Rosa | $64,000 | 150 | -22% |
| Stockton | $64,000 | 70 | -70% |
| Vallejo | $48,000 | 50 | -62% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $57,000 | 340 | +101% |
| Colorado Springs | $52,000 | 550 | +93% |
| Denver | $55,000 | 1,380 | -4% |
| Fort Collins | $67,000 | 130 | -5% |
| Greeley | $46,000 | 90 | +19% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $61,000 | 340 | -30% |
| Danbury | $49,000 | 160 | +126% |
| Hartford | $58,000 | 590 | -11% |
| New Haven | $58,000 | 300 | -3% |
| Norwich | $70,000 | 370 | +178% |
| Waterbury | $53,000 | 30 | -57% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $49,000 | 290 | -22% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $61,000 | 3,270 | +16% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deltona | $45,000 | 100 | -41% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $54,000 | 630 | -22% |
| Fort Walton Beach | 460 | +474% | |
| Gainesville | $49,000 | 80 | -39% |
| Jacksonville | $57,000 | 700 | +1% |
| Lakeland | $56,000 | 80 | -62% |
| Miami | $52,000 | 760 | -33% |
| Ocala | $42,000 | 90 | -3% |
| Orlando | $50,000 | 1,420 | +21% |
| Palm Bay | $52,000 | 1,380 | +527% |
| Panama City | $65,000 | 90 | +26% |
| Pensacola | $58,000 | 290 | +77% |
| Port St Lucie | $48,000 | 80 | -38% |
| Sarasota | $50,000 | 190 | -31% |
| Tallahassee | $57,000 | 100 | -44% |
| Tampa | $48,000 | 960 | -27% |
| West Palm Beach | $60,000 | 370 | -38% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $66,000 | 40 | -37% |
| Athens | $59,000 | 40 | -46% |
| Atlanta | $58,000 | 2,420 | -10% |
| Augusta | $59,000 | 300 | +31% |
| Macon | $56,000 | 40 | -58% |
| Savannah | $63,000 | 40 | -76% |
| Warner Robins | $63,000 | 260 | +378% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $65,000 | 440 | -13% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $59,000 | 770 | +161% |
| Coeur Dalene | $68,000 | 60 | +17% |
| Pocatello | $66,000 | 40 | +39% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $53,000 | 60 | -18% |
| Champaign | $51,000 | 70 | -36% |
| Chicago | $55,000 | 3,400 | -22% |
| Decatur | $46,000 | 30 | -34% |
| Peoria | $61,000 | 170 | -10% |
| Rockford | $60,000 | 130 | -16% |
| Springfield | $63,000 | 70 | -40% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elkhart | $41,000 | 80 | -31% |
| Evansville | $61,000 | 180 | -5% |
| Fort Wayne | $49,000 | 230 | +1% |
| Gary | $58,000 | 200 | -34% |
| Indianapolis | $57,000 | 860 | -17% |
| Kokomo | $63,000 | 90 | +136% |
| Michigan City | $42,000 | 40 | -1% |
| Muncie | $60,000 | 30 | -34% |
| South Bend | $51,000 | 100 | -29% |
| Terre Haute | $52,000 | 70 | -1% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ames | $48,000 | 30 | -18% |
| Cedar Rapids | $44,000 | 510 | +235% |
| Davenport | $58,000 | 90 | -57% |
| Des Moines | $57,000 | 250 | -33% |
| Waterloo | $52,000 | 30 | -67% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka | $59,000 | 40 | -66% |
| Wichita | $51,000 | 230 | -30% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green | $62,000 | 30 | -47% |
| Lexington | $72,000 | 300 | +11% |
| Louisville | $54,000 | 360 | -48% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $56,000 | 410 | -4% |
| Houma | $44,000 | 90 | -11% |
| Lafayette | $46,000 | 180 | +15% |
| Lake Charles | $56,000 | 40 | -57% |
| New Orleans | $51,000 | 870 | +43% |
| Shreveport | $54,000 | 130 | -35% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor | $59,000 | 30 | -52% |
| Portland | $47,000 | 190 | -15% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $62,000 | 1,560 | +3% |
| Bethesda | $63,000 | 860 | +29% |
| Salisbury | $55,000 | 250 | +359% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $58,000 | 120 | +13% |
| Boston | $59,000 | 3,570 | +77% |
| Brockton | $50,000 | 50 | -48% |
| Framingham | $51,000 | 570 | +215% |
| Haverhill | $58,000 | 130 | +50% |
| Lawrence | $44,000 | 100 | +63% |
| Leominster | $53,000 | 60 | +20% |
| Lowell | $53,000 | 760 | +482% |
| New Bedford | $35,000 | 80 | +19% |
| Peabody | $53,000 | 200 | +83% |
| Pittsfield | $51,000 | 70 | +124% |
| Springfield | $55,000 | 420 | +24% |
| Taunton | $54,000 | 150 | +235% |
| Worcester | $58,000 | 410 | +45% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | $52,000 | 1,170 | +52% |
| Flint | $56,000 | 90 | -37% |
| Grand Rapids | $48,000 | 400 | -7% |
| Holland | $48,000 | 280 | +171% |
| Jackson | $57,000 | 380 | +676% |
| Kalamazoo | $53,000 | 190 | +28% |
| Lansing | $53,000 | 130 | -41% |
| Monroe | $49,000 | 40 | +12% |
| Saginaw | $54,000 | 80 | -8% |
| Warren | $54,000 | 1,310 | +5% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $56,000 | 120 | -15% |
| Mankato | $45,000 | 100 | +74% |
| Minneapolis | $55,000 | 2,120 | +3% |
| St Cloud | $54,000 | 80 | -22% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | $53,000 | 210 | +81% |
| Jackson | $44,000 | 100 | -65% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson City | $63,000 | 60 | -23% |
| Kansas City | $58,000 | 1,220 | +4% |
| Springfield | $54,000 | 130 | -39% |
| St Joseph | $54,000 | 60 | +17% |
| St Louis | $56,000 | 1,030 | -33% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $60,000 | 90 | +1% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $51,000 | 150 | -15% |
| Omaha | $52,000 | 250 | -54% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $66,000 | 1,160 | +18% |
| Reno | $56,000 | 110 | -48% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $51,000 | 210 | +88% |
| Nashua | $53,000 | 410 | +173% |
| Portsmouth | $68,000 | 90 | +53% |
| Rochester | $47,000 | 60 | +10% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $66,000 | 30 | -81% |
| Camden | $61,000 | 320 | -47% |
| Edison | $59,000 | 860 | -28% |
| Newark | $54,000 | 660 | -43% |
| Trenton | $55,000 | 150 | -41% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $56,000 | 1,020 | +131% |
| Farmington | $71,000 | 80 | +60% |
| Las Cruces | $63,000 | 240 | +262% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $54,000 | 370 | -28% |
| Binghamton | $46,000 | 190 | +56% |
| Buffalo | $48,000 | 460 | -28% |
| Nassau | $61,000 | 1,450 | -1% |
| New York | $63,000 | 3,070 | -49% |
| Rochester | $44,000 | 930 | +60% |
| Syracuse | $55,000 | 450 | +26% |
| Utica | $53,000 | 80 | -41% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $47,000 | 80 | -59% |
| Charlotte | $54,000 | 540 | -45% |
| Durham | $46,000 | 590 | +89% |
| Fayetteville | $55,000 | 130 | -6% |
| Goldsboro | $50,000 | 40 | 0% |
| Greensboro | $54,000 | 280 | -31% |
| Hickory | $50,000 | 30 | -81% |
| Raleigh | $55,000 | 490 | -18% |
| Winston Salem | $48,000 | 150 | -37% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $68,000 | 40 | -41% |
| Fargo | $54,000 | 150 | +13% |
| Grand Forks | $53,000 | 40 | -18% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $49,000 | 240 | -34% |
| Canton | $55,000 | 60 | -68% |
| Cincinnati | $53,000 | 720 | -39% |
| Cleveland | $52,000 | 1,010 | -15% |
| Columbus | $52,000 | 660 | -38% |
| Dayton | $51,000 | 390 | -11% |
| Mansfield | $63,000 | 40 | -24% |
| Toledo | $56,000 | 160 | -52% |
| Youngstown | $48,000 | 120 | -53% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $62,000 | 1,050 | +58% |
| Tulsa | $48,000 | 280 | -43% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bend | $56,000 | 60 | -8% |
| Eugene | $59,000 | 60 | -61% |
| Medford | $58,000 | 30 | -63% |
| Portland | $55,000 | 2,430 | +105% |
| Salem | $55,000 | 70 | -57% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $61,000 | 470 | +19% |
| Harrisburg | $44,000 | 380 | +4% |
| Lancaster | $52,000 | 100 | -62% |
| Philadelphia | $60,000 | 2,020 | -9% |
| Pittsburgh | $55,000 | 1,410 | +6% |
| Reading | $54,000 | 100 | -46% |
| Scranton | $56,000 | 290 | -2% |
| State College | $41,000 | 80 | +23% |
| Williamsport | $38,000 | 70 | +34% |
| York | $46,000 | 230 | +17% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $55,000 | 770 | +20% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $66,000 | 450 | +38% |
| Columbia | $51,000 | 220 | -45% |
| Florence | $47,000 | 90 | +8% |
| Greenville | $54,000 | 540 | +59% |
| Myrtle Beach | $45,000 | 110 | -7% |
| Spartanburg | $53,000 | 110 | -12% |
| Sumter | $38,000 | 190 | +503% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $43,000 | 30 | -55% |
| Sioux Falls | $44,000 | 70 | -54% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $54,000 | 230 | -10% |
| Clarksville | $55,000 | 130 | +57% |
| Jackson | $47,000 | 70 | +16% |
| Johnson City | $52,000 | 60 | -20% |
| Kingsport | $50,000 | 70 | -47% |
| Knoxville | $46,000 | 520 | +37% |
| Memphis | $55,000 | 380 | -47% |
| Nashville | $55,000 | 580 | -32% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene | $55,000 | 40 | -39% |
| Amarillo | $64,000 | 140 | +22% |
| Austin | $52,000 | 2,390 | +163% |
| Beaumont | $55,000 | 250 | +40% |
| College Station | $48,000 | 100 | +2% |
| Corpus Christi | $60,000 | 150 | -24% |
| Dallas | $56,000 | 3,930 | +61% |
| El Paso | $54,000 | 310 | +0% |
| Fort Worth | $68,000 | 1,600 | +60% |
| Houston | $61,000 | 3,970 | +30% |
| Killeen | $63,000 | 60 | -57% |
| Longview | $52,000 | 110 | +8% |
| Lubbock | $54,000 | 110 | -20% |
| Mcallen | $53,000 | 90 | -65% |
| Midland | $54,000 | 60 | -8% |
| Odessa | $56,000 | 60 | +4% |
| San Antonio | $58,000 | 620 | -39% |
| Tyler | $62,000 | 40 | -58% |
| Victoria | $59,000 | 150 | +211% |
| Waco | $59,000 | 100 | -7% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logan | $43,000 | 130 | +173% |
| Ogden | $67,000 | 190 | -15% |
| Salt Lake City | $51,000 | 1,000 | +43% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $58,000 | 80 | -34% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | $43,000 | 140 | +123% |
| Charlottesville | $50,000 | 110 | +20% |
| Lynchburg | $59,000 | 380 | +258% |
| Richmond | $56,000 | 680 | -4% |
| Roanoke | $63,000 | 170 | -1% |
| Virginia Beach | $61,000 | 1,770 | +102% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bremerton | $76,000 | 250 | +184% |
| Kennewick | $64,000 | 200 | +86% |
| Seattle | $57,000 | 1,170 | -28% |
| Spokane | $51,000 | 260 | +13% |
| Tacoma | $56,000 | 340 | +14% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $48,000 | 130 | -19% |
| Huntington | $57,000 | 50 | -59% |
| Parkersburg | $62,000 | 50 | -30% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | $54,000 | 110 | -12% |
| Eau Claire | $45,000 | 80 | +3% |
| Green Bay | $64,000 | 70 | -63% |
| La Crosse | $55,000 | 40 | -47% |
| Madison | $50,000 | 330 | -14% |
| Milwaukee | $53,000 | 1,000 | +4% |
| Racine | $52,000 | 40 | -49% |
| Wausau | $48,000 | 30 | -56% |
*FOOTNOTES: Job Facts salary and numbers data is based on US Department of Labor Statistics data for 2011. Other data on page may be from earlier years. Typical salary is given as median salary, where 50% in the job make more and 50% less. Salary range is Job Hunt's estimates of typical starting salary as being at the 10th percentile of reported pay and typical top end salary, for the most senior workers, as being at the 90th. Job openings is an estimate of new jobs every year due to growth plus those leaving the field. Where NA is given data is not available. Suggested studies is based on Job Hunt research, suggesting a minimum degree level that is judged to offer the best opportunities for entry-level employment. This Electrical and Electronic Technicians schools and career page was originally researched by CityTownInfo.com.