How much does a electrical technician make?

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.

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).

What's a typical day like?

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.

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.

Vocational school or a few years' experience (preparation level 3 of 5)

Good for people who like building and doing and figuring things out.

At NASA, electrical technicians test instruments in a vacuum and extreme heat, cold, and shaking to see if they can survive space missions.