How much does an electrical technician make?
a year · about $38 an hour
A typical electrical technician in the United States makes $78,190 a year, about $38 an hour, about 1.5× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They read wiring diagrams, assemble circuit parts, then use meters and test gear in a lab or factory to find faults. They repair or adjust equipment, record results, and share problems with engineers.
Did you know? At NASA, electrical technicians test instruments in a vacuum and extreme heat, cold, and shaking to see if they can survive space missions.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $49,510 and $115,700How do you become one?
In the U.S., many start after high school (often around 18) with an associate degree in electrical/electronic technology at a community or technical college. Some jobs accept high school graduates, others prefer a bachelor’s; certifications are optional.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like building and doing and figuring things out
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., experience and in-demand skills or optional certifications can raise pay. It also varies by employer, industry, and location; hours and day or night shifts can matter too.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in New Mexico ($96,070), lowest in Ohio ($63,300).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $49,510 | $78,190 | $115,700 | about 95,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $96,070 | about 1,000 |
| Maryland | $95,830 | about 2,000 |
| Washington | $93,930 | about 3,000 |
| Nevada | $88,160 | about 1,000 |
| California | $86,090 | about 13,000 |
Official definition: Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair, adjust, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff in making engineering design decisions. Excludes “Broadcast Technicians” (27-4012).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/electrical-and-electronics-engineer
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/17-3023.00
- www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/career-spotlight-electrician-ages-14-18
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY