Considering a career as an electrical technician? You're looking at a profession that is not only essential to our modern world but also offers a stable, rewarding, and financially sound career path. Electrical technicians are the hands-on experts who build, test, and maintain the electrical systems that power our lives.
But what can you expect to earn? The salary potential for an electrical technician is strong, with a national median salary of over $71,000 per year and top earners exceeding six figures. In this guide, we'll break down the salary you can expect and explore the key factors that can significantly increase your earning potential.
What Does an Electrical Technician Do?
Before diving into the numbers, it’s important to understand the role. An electrical technician (often called an electrical and electronic engineering technician) works under the supervision of engineers to design, develop, test, and manufacture electrical and electronic equipment. Their responsibilities are varied and critical, often including:
- Assembling and installing electrical systems and prototypes.
- Reading and interpreting blueprints, schematics, and technical drawings.
- Testing systems and equipment to ensure they function correctly and meet specifications.
- Identifying and resolving malfunctions in electrical circuits and components.
- Calibrating and maintaining equipment for optimal performance.
- Recording and analyzing test data to help engineers improve designs.
From the circuit boards in our smartphones to the power grids that light our cities, electrical technicians play a vital, hands-on role in making technology work.
Average Electrical Technician Salary
So, how does this responsibility translate into compensation? The data shows a competitive salary with significant room for growth.
According to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in May 2023, the median annual wage for electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians was $71,110. This means half of all technicians earned more than this amount, and half earned less.
The salary range is quite broad, reflecting differences in experience, location, and specialization:
- Lowest 10%: Earned less than $45,770 (typical for entry-level positions).
- Highest 10%: Earned more than $104,890 (typical for senior, specialized, or high-demand roles).
Reputable salary aggregators provide similar figures. Salary.com reports a median salary of approximately $72,434 for an Electrical Technician II, with a typical range falling between $63,000 and $83,000. Meanwhile, Payscale highlights the full spectrum, showing a total pay range from around $46,000 to $92,000 per year based on user-reported data.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your salary as an electrical technician is not a fixed number. It's a dynamic figure influenced by several key factors. Understanding these can help you strategically navigate your career to maximize your earnings.
###
Level of Education
While a high school diploma is the minimum, most electrical technician roles require postsecondary education. The standard and most common credential is an Associate's Degree in Electrical Engineering Technology (EET) or a related field from a community college or technical school. This degree provides the foundational knowledge of circuits, electronics, and instrumentation that employers seek.
- Certificate Programs: Shorter certificate programs can provide a gateway into the field, but may lead to lower starting salaries.
- Associate's Degree: This is the industry standard and qualifies you for the majority of technician roles and competitive starting salaries.
- Bachelor's Degree: While not always required, a Bachelor's of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology can open doors to more advanced roles, higher starting pay, and a faster track to supervisory or engineering positions.
###
Years of Experience
Experience is one of the most significant drivers of salary growth in this field. As you move from entry-level to senior roles, your hands-on problem-solving skills become more valuable.
- Entry-Level (0-2 years): Technicians just starting out can expect to earn in the range of $45,000 to $58,000. In this stage, you are learning on the job and applying your academic knowledge.
- Mid-Career (3-8 years): With several years of experience, technicians can handle more complex tasks with less supervision. Salaries typically rise to the $60,000 to $75,000 range.
- Senior/Experienced (8+ years): Senior technicians with deep expertise, specialization, and potential leadership responsibilities can command salaries of $80,000 and above, with top earners easily clearing $100,000.
###
Geographic Location
Where you work matters. Salaries for electrical technicians vary significantly based on state and metropolitan area, often due to demand and cost of living. According to BLS data, the top-paying states for this profession are:
1. New Mexico: $92,200 (annual mean wage)
2. District of Columbia: $91,950
3. California: $88,290
4. Washington: $83,780
5. Alaska: $83,380
Conversely, states in the Southeast and Midwest tend to offer salaries closer to or below the national median. However, it's crucial to balance a higher salary with the local cost of living to understand your true earning power.
###
Company Type
The industry you work in has a direct impact on your paycheck. Technicians in high-tech, research-intensive, or mission-critical sectors often earn more. The BLS highlights top-paying industries for electrical technicians:
- Scientific Research and Development Services: These roles often involve cutting-edge technology and pay a premium for specialized skills.
- Federal Government (Executive Branch): Government and defense contractor roles are known for competitive salaries, strong benefits, and job security.
- Semiconductor and Electronic Component Manufacturing: This is a highly technical and profitable industry that rewards skilled technicians.
- Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution: Working for utility companies often comes with higher, often union-negotiated, wages due to the critical nature of the work.
###
Area of Specialization
General electrical technicians are always in demand, but those who develop a niche specialization can significantly boost their value. In-demand areas include:
- Automation and Robotics: Technicians who can install, program, and maintain Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and robotic systems in manufacturing are highly sought after.
- Renewable Energy: With the growth of solar and wind power, technicians specializing in the installation and maintenance of these systems are in high demand.
- Telecommunications: Technicians who work on cellular networks, fiber-optic systems, and other communication infrastructure can command higher salaries.
- Avionics: Specializing in the electronic systems of aircraft is a highly skilled and lucrative path that requires rigorous certification.
Job Outlook
The future for electrical technicians is stable and promising. The BLS projects the employment of electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians to grow 2% from 2022 to 2032. While this growth rate is about as fast as the average for all occupations, it's important to look at the full picture.
The BLS projects about 11,200 openings for these technicians each year, on average, over the decade. Most of these openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. This means there will be a consistent demand for new talent to step in and fill these essential roles.
Conclusion
A career as an electrical technician is an excellent choice for individuals who are detail-oriented, enjoy hands-on problem-solving, and have a passion for technology. The financial outlook is strong, with a median salary well above the national average for all occupations and a clear path for growth.
Your earning potential is not set in stone. By pursuing a solid education, gaining valuable experience, choosing a strategic location, and developing a high-demand specialization, you can build a long and prosperous career. If you're ready to power the future, this could be the perfect path for you.